Young logistics employees are custodians of sector that will help shape Britain’s future, says Roads Minister

Speaking at the event, which celebrated the third year of Generation Logistics, Greenwood paid tribute to the work of the industry's emerging talent as well as the results of the campaign's outreach to date.  She said: "Your campaign has shown what we can achieve when the industry comes together. You have shown that logistics is unique. That it is a fulfilling career full of possibility." 

Less than three years since its launch by Logistics UK and CILT(UK), the Generation Logistics campaign has already built significant awareness among potential young recruits aged 13-24, creating over 1.7 million hits to its dedicated website, over 8.2 million social media engagements and a reach of over 2 billion. The parliamentary event, which was attended by over 40 businesses and associations sponsoring the campaign, was held during Generation Logistics Week - five days of dedicated, curriculum-mapped engagement activities in schools across the UK. Greenwood added: "You've reached millions, shared impactful stories and opened doors to an often-misunderstood sector that usually operates behind the scenes.

"It is vital those in this room, and operators up and down the country, continue to push the campaign to new heights, because I am in no doubt Generation Logistics remains a leading way to shape a skilled and innovative sector, fit for the future."  Phil Roe, executive sponsor of the campaign, expressed gratitude for the Minister's support but stressed to those in attendance that the job is far from complete: He said: "It is wonderful to hear how much of an impact the campaign has made with government, but as far as young people and their educators are concerned, the task is very much still a work in progress.

 "There are still many young people, including some of those set to join the workforce this summer, who have never heard of logistics as a career, and that is why it is so important that we continue to raise awareness and cultivate the brightest and best talents for the workforce of tomorrow.  "We are set to launch our prospectus for the fourth year of the campaign very shortly," he added "and I am keen to encourage businesses of all sizes from across the logistics spectrum to get behind Generation Logistics and become sponsors. "Thanks to the incredible partners and sponsors that have been involved thus far, we have made great strides forwards but there is still much to be done.

"Our industry has exciting job opportunities to offer, but until we are considered as a career option in the same breath as jobs in retail, manufacturing, hospitality or healthcare, we will struggle to recruit the talent we need in the longer term.

 "To attract and recruit the talent our industry needs is the responsibility of all of us within the sector - not just the larger businesses, but organisations of every size.

"Our sponsorship options can cater for companies right across the industry and I hope we can rely on the whole sector to continue its support to attract the workforce logistics needs and deserves in the years to come."