New 'logistics hub' launched at Telford College

Telford College has launched its first dedicated Logistics Hub – designed to deepen collaboration with employers and ensure the college’s training offer keeps pace with one of the region’s most important sectors.

The hub, which meets at the college’s Wellington campus, brings together industry leaders, curriculum specialists and employer partners to shape the future of logistics training in the area.

By creating a structured forum for dialogue, the college says it will help to ensure training is aligned with real-time sector developments in the road haulage, warehousing, distribution and supply chain management sectors.

Guest speaker at the first session was Sally Gilson, policy lead for skills and drivers at the Road Haulage Association.

She highlighted the challenges currently facing logistics. Nationally, the loss of 117,000 drivers due to non-renewal of licences and CPC qualifications continues to place pressure on the workforce.

Employers in attendance, which included Kinaxia, Kuehne + Nagel, and Little Pot Transport, also discussed the ageing demographic of drivers, and the difficulty many businesses face in attracting younger entrants.

The positives and negatives of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled driver monitoring systems, were also identified as areas requiring greater awareness and skills development.

Rosie Beswick, from Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, also updated attendees on the latest Local Skills Improvement Plan research.

Aneeta Hazir, manager of partnerships and employer engagement at Telford College, said: “The hub is an opportunity for us to strengthen our engagement with employers, keep in line with industry challenges and for us to mirror this in our teaching.

“At the launch event, employers heard updates on the college’s growing success across its logistics programmes, including the positive impact on learner outcomes and the increasing number of students progressing into industry roles.

“Attendees also discussed ongoing work to enhance employer engagement, ensuring students gain the skills, confidence and experience needed to thrive in a fast-changing sector.”

She added: “The new Logistics Hub will act as a catalyst for tackling these issues locally, ensuring Telford College remains at the forefront of sector-led education and continues to equip learners with the expertise employers urgently need.”