Aspire inspires a new generation

Aspire, The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport's careers foundation, took part in a 'Get into Logistics' event at the House of Commons, hosted by Louise Ellman MP, recently. The event introduced Ms Elman and a group of leading business leaders to the work of the Get into Logistics programme.

Aspire, together with fellow Get into Logistics programme supporters, the Princes Trust, the FTA and DHL UK Foundation, discussed with Ms Ellman, Chair of the House of Commons Transport Select Committee, the challenges of encouraging more young people to take up a career in logistics.

Aspire's Chairman, Tim Slater FCILT, introduced the participants to the Get into Logistics programme's Young Ambassador, 22 year-old Brodie Harris. Brodie explained how the Aspire-co-funded programme really changes lives. Personal problems meant Brodie quit university early and became unemployed. Brodie was very keen to find work and found continually being turned down for jobs very demoralising. She saw the Get into Logistics programme advertised on a jobsite, sent a text and was pleased to get a reply the next day.

Brodie gained a two week placement with Waitrose, one of the supporters of the scheme. She found the scheme supportive and welcoming, and, after the two weeks course, Brodie told the meeting she was 'ecstatically happy' to be offered a full time job. Now Brodie has become a Young Ambassador for the scheme, in part to inform others that university isn't the only way to ensure a career path.

John Allan, Chair of Dixons Retail PLC was the main industry speaker. He told his fellow industry leaders that they have a responsibility to employ and train the next generation of workers and that it cannot simply be left to government.

Tim Slater says: "It was inspiring to hear our Young Ambassador reveal how Get into Logistics genuinely changes lives. It was also a great opportunity for retailers and 3PLs to sit around a table and discuss how we encourage the next generations. It builds on the work of Aspire and other organisations and encourages individual companies to develop a common approach for the industry as a whole."