Transport, Logistics and Distribution

Transport, logistics and distribution industries are concerned with the safe and efficient movement of people and products throughout the UK and abroad. Millions of people travel through the UK by land, sea, air or rail every year, in addition to this nearly all the products we consume have passed through the logistics supply chain.

There are a huge variety of roles in this sector including:

• Operational, distribution and transport managers, planners and schedulers all of whom are involved in coordinating people and goods.
• Safety specialists such as air traffic controllers, driving instructors and examiners, railway station assistants, conductors and signalers who all ensure that vehicle operators are following strict health and safety regulations.
• Customer service personnel who take reservations, answer queries and act as the public face of the transport and logistics sector.
• Warehouse personnel who select, package and prepare items for delivery.

Check out the professional bodies’ own entries in the Profession Finder

There are a number of professional bodies covering these sectors.  Here you will find information on:

• Jobs and salaries
• Routes and Qualifications
• Funding

Jobs and Salaries

The supply chain is a complex sequence of events and decisions, which connects sourcing raw materials with manufacturing and the end consumer.

Find out more about careers in Logistics and Transport.

Logistics is the management of this end-to-end supply chain, and companies are increasingly using supply chain management to differentiate themselves from their competitors.  What can you expect from a career in logistics? 

As a transport planner you could be solving some of the most pressing problems facing our society today, taking advantage of new technology to find innovative solutions. The skills shortage means that employers are offering attractive starting salaries to suitable graduates. What can you expect from a career in transport?

Read why transport is so important in today’s society. What is transport planning?

Read more about the supply chain and how it affects the food and grocery market.

Routes and Qualifications

Whilst it is not necessary to have a degree, as you can enter the profession directly from school and obtain the necessary skills through a combination of experience, short courses and private study, many professionals within this sector do have formal qualifications.

The ICS (Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers) offers the internationally recognised qualification - the Foundation Diploma. 

Read more about the education offered by the ICS.

The ICS also offers a series of bespoke training courses for people already in the profession.

The CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport) offer courses and skills to enhance your career, including online courses and information on where to study. 

The CILT also offers graduate training programmes.

The TPS (Transport Planning Society) offers information on degrees, qualifications, professional development and training.

The IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) also offers courses to people at every level within the food and grocery industry.

Funding

Career development loans are available through various UK banks.

What’s it like working in this sector?

• Some, but by no means all, roles require shift work including evenings, nights and weekends.
• Depending on the role, travel may be a regular feature both locally, nationally and even internationally. There are still significantly more males than females working within the sector.
• Jobs are based in a wide range of locations, including airports, railway and bus stations, warehouses and offices, while many workers consider the inside of their vehicle as their main working environment. Jobs may involve a mixture of indoor and outdoor work. Most involve some degree of travel.

What do employers look for?

• Good communication and customer service skills.
• Many jobs require people with problem-solving skills, who can remain calm in a crisis.
• Many jobs in this sector do not require educational qualifications for entry.
• Apprenticeships are available in many areas. Many large employers offer graduate training schemes.
• Jobs involving driving and operating machinery may have age restrictions.
• Most organisations provide training for new entrants, followed by regular in-house courses to update knowledge and skills. It is possible to study for relevant qualifications, such as NVQs.