Logistics firm, Europa Worldwide Group, which has a large site in Minworth at Prologis Park on Midpoint Way, is supporting a new national logistics sector recruitment campaign. The logistics sector is expected to have worker shortages of 400,000 by 2026, so the new campaign aims to change perception of the industry as well as providing a jobs portal.
Europa in Birmingham is the firm’s third largest UK site and has a 113-strong team and represents three divisions. Europa Road, providing road freight distribution to and from Europe, Europa Air and Sea and Europa Warehouse, one of three award-winning 3pl logistics sites providing value-added capabilities through a combined 1,072,000 sq. ft of dedicated logistics space.
Keeping food on the shelves and keeping the wheels of industry turning throughout Covid-19 and Brexit have shone a light on how fundamental logistics is to us all. Combine that with decarbonising the supply chain, and the shift to ecommerce, it’s clear why logistics is so critical to the country’s economy.
The first of its type, called “Generation Logistics,” the campaign is being co-ordinated by the trade bodies the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and Logistics UK, in partnership with the Department for Transport. For many years, logistics has been the “invisible secret” supporting the UK’s economic growth and development.
Europa itself is growing massively and has almost doubled its work force over the past nine years, now employing over 1,300 at sites across the UK and is currently recruiting for another 150 staff across the UK.
As well as recruiting, the company is focusing on recognising internal talent and is currently promoting one person EVERY week. Birmingham is at the forefront of this work, with a growing team that is being nurtured through training and development opportunities to fulfil its potential.
By shining a spotlight on the skilled, complex nature of the UK’s interconnected logistics industry the campaign aims to attract, identify and develop a new and diverse generation of talent to fill vacancies industry-wide and future-proof the sector.
Tom Jenkins, Central Services Director at Europa Worldwide Group Comments: “It’s a time of huge recruitment challenges across our sector, right across the supply chain from customer service to drivers and warehouse operators, so it’s time to change perceptions and share the story of how essential our industry is. We are delighted to be joining forces with other industry leaders to support Generation Logistics to initiate much needed change.”
The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, commented: “I am proud to support the Generation Logistics campaign. Logistics is a vital sector to the UK economy. The pandemic has once again demonstrated the strategic importance of supply-chains and their associated workers.
“Their work to keep the UK moving was exemplary and I have nothing but admiration for those unsung heroes who keep the UK trading, keep food on our shelves and provide our factories, shops, hospitals and schools with the supplies they need. Logistics workers make a substantial difference to our lives, every day.
“However, we have a new challenge facing us as we look to the future of freight. We need to attract a diverse and skilled workforce to play a key part in a new exciting era transforming an industry at the forefront of innovation and technology.
“There are thousands of logistics roles available to people from all backgrounds, experience and skills. This campaign will showcase those opportunities in artificial intelligence, advanced robotics, autonomous vehicles and the decarbonisation of the supply chain.
“The Government has shown in the 33 interventions it put in place to address the HGV driver shortage that it is ready to take fast and effective action to support the logistics sector and invest where it is needed. We are funding 11,000 HGV driver bootcamp training places as well as investing a total of £52.5 million in road side facilities for drivers and lorry parking as well as delivering more HGV driver testing than ever before.
“This industry campaign is integral to not only supporting growth of this vital sector but also ensuring we have the workforce needed for now and the future.” In addition to a comprehensive web portal, containing careers advice and guidance, jobs and news, the campaign will focus on a number of key demographic areas, all of which could be inclined towards taking up a role in logistics.
Europa Worldwide Group is an ambitious independent logistics operator with three divisions, Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, and Europa Warehouse, and has featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for the third time. The Group employs over 1,300 across the UK, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, and had a turnover of £300m last year.
