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Armed forces resettlement training, retraining courses and recruitment / jobs for ex military personnel. The Royal Navy, Army and RAF
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Freight transport management, driving and vehicle maintenance are all elements of the supply chain – the movement of materials from the supplier, sourced by the organisation’s buyers, from raw stocks, through production, to become finished goods which are then distributed to customers. Transport and logistics is a diverse sector that plays a major role in the UK and global economy. Within the industry, the term ‘logistics’ refers to the movement of freight. It is often described by the method of goods transportation (i.e. road, sea, air or rail), however large logistics companies use all types of transport within a variety of industries. Freight logistics companies fall into two groups: those that manage their own distribution system and those that manage it on behalf of another company; the latter organisations are referred to as third-party logistics (3PL). According to Skills for Logistics (the Sector Skills Council for the UK’s freight logistics industries), over 60% of UK freight is carried out for ‘hire and reward’ (i.e. 3PL) on behalf of another company. Although, as noted above, there is a growing trend towards utilising various forms of logistics and transportation companies, it is still very much the case that road freight transport makes up the majority of the market, at around 65%. It is the main mode of freight transport (around 82% of freight moved around the UK is transported by road), with rail, water and air transport being smaller operations, highlighting that road transportation accounts for the movement of considerably more freight than its total market share would suggest. The industry is heavily reliant on subcontractors and smaller haulage firms, and needs extensive, well-structured and continuing training to recruit and retain drivers.
Skills shortages in the industry The industry has suffered from major skills shortages, in particular of larger goods vehicles (LGV) drivers. The past decade has seen a reduction in the number of drivers passing the LGV test: only 18% of recruits into companies were new trainees – the vast majority came from other road transport employers. However, recruitment of LGV drivers is not currently a major concern for employers, although recruiting women and people from minority ethnic groups into the profession is still proving a difficult task. Logistics currently suffers from the misguided perception that it is a difficult industry in which to develop a successful career path.
Road transport driving and management skills gained in the Services Every unit has its Motor Transport Officer, who runs a fleet of vehicles and drivers. Transport units have many more managers and drivers as the total unit holding is split into fleets of all sizes and descriptions. Formations and bases also often have dedicated transport assets, and their personnel can either be in the job full-time or combine it with other functions. Many other military people are also concerned with transport, although they do not work in vehicle fleets themselves. They may be involved with anything from project management to training, and from garaging to movement planning. Since the Services are usually concerned with mobility in their activities, transport features heavily in all that they do. The Defence School of Transport (DST) takes students from all three Services on a huge variety of courses. Programmes emphasise vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, so that every student on a major course leaves with a qualification. For resettlement, training in transport management and driving can be accessed through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). Service drivers who already hold a C or C+E licence (see box) may need to convert to civilian standards and practices.
Employment
Transport management opportunities exist in functions including:
Qualifications and training for transport management There are five main routes into transport management.
Freight transport vocational qualifications are available as national and Scottish vocational qualifications, and as apprenticeships. The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a suitable first-level qualification for those wanting to pursue a career in transport management and fleet operation in the road freight industry – whether self-employed or as an employee of a larger organisation – and provides a good basis from which to progress to professional qualifications. Those operating or managing goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW (gross vehicle weight) require an Operator CPC, also known as the Transport Manager’s CPC (there is more information about the various types of CPC below). CILT(UK)
Carriage of dangerous goods
Licensing and certification for drivers LGV (C) licence holders require a current clean B (motor car) licence, and a minimum age of 21 (any age in the Services). Some insurers may insist that people driving certain loads, like hazardous chemicals, are over 30. Employers and trainers look for ability in reading, writing and maths, and require an aptitude test. Everyone is required to take a medical exam, including eyesight and colour blindness tests. The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) CPC training is continuing professional development that carries on throughout a professional lorry driver’s career. All professional lorry drivers are now required to hold a Driver CPC in addition to their vocational driving licence. This is designed to improve the knowledge and skills of professional LGV drivers throughout their working life. There are two parts to the legislation:
New LGV drivers will have to pass an initial Driver CPC qualification before being able to drive professionally. This can be taken at the same time as the vocational driving test. Driver CPC came into force across all EU member states in September 2009 for lorry drivers (LGV). Existing professional lorry drivers are deemed to hold Driver CPC by ‘acquired rights’. However, they must complete their periodic training within five years of the introduction of Driver CPC, which means by 9 September 2014 for LGV licence holders. As mentioned above, those operating or managing goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW require an Operator CPC, also known as the Transport Manager’s CPC (this is a separate qualification from the Driver CPC, so anyone holding an Operator CPC who still drives professionally as part of their job will also need to hold a Driver CPC). Those wishing to obtain a standard licence must hold the relevant Certificate of Professional Competence in Road Haulage (CPC) qualification. A Standard Operator’s Licence is required for ‘hire and reward’ operations and a Restricted Operator’s Licence for own account. The CPC and Armed Forces drivers Because those driving as part of their job in the Armed Forces are exempt from the above requirements while serving (Driver CPC does not form part of MoD LGV training), those leaving the Forces with an LGV licence issued after September 2009 will need to pass the initial seven-hour core module Driver CPC qualification in order to obtain their Drivers’ Qualification Card, which will allow them to drive legally in a civilian capacity. They will then have five years in which to complete the required 35 hours of periodic training. Those Forces leavers who gained their licence before these dates will have ‘acquired rights’, as stated above, and will therefore need only to complete the 35 hours’ periodic training within five years. KEY contacts Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK, Earlstrees Court, Earlstrees Road, Corby, Northants NN17 4AX Skills for Logistics, 12 Warren Yard, Warren Farm Office Village, Milton Keynes MK12 5NW Directgov – see www.direct.gov.uk
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