ONE of Rugby’s biggest employment sectors has been boosted after funding was secured for a new logistics learning hub at Rugby College.
The shortage of available training in Rugby for the logistics industry – which supports 23,700 jobs in Warwickshire – was raised by Karen Shuter, the chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s Rugby branch, at a committee meeting.
Karen, who runs Exact Logistics, was joined in her efforts to bridge the skills gap in the sector by Warwickshire College Group (WCG), Warwickshire County Council, the Chamber and Rugby MP Mark Pawsey, who put together a plan of action.
Karen and WCG Rugby College campus secured a £39,100 Skills Challenge grant from Warwickshire County Council’s Skills for Employment programme, paving the way for a new logistics learning hub which has been created at the campus.
Business Studies students who began their courses in September now have logistics as part of their course as a pilot project and, in January, the first learners from small and medium-sized businesses in the sector will be enrolled onto industry-led Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) qualifications.
The hub will also provide a series of work experience opportunities as well as a brand new Logistics Office Simulation Facility.
Karen Shuter said: “I am absolutely thrilled that this opportunity is now available to learners here in Rugby.
“When you consider how important the sector is to the town, the surrounding borough and the county, it was difficult to believe there was no provision.
“I raised the issue when the Chamber was running its initial Go For Growth campaign because it was looking at some of the barriers to growth. It is fitting, therefore, that the new Go For Growth: Trade Local campaign has just been launched and we have this fantastic success story to shout about.”
WCG curriculum group vice principal Neil Coker said: “The logistics hub is another example of where we have worked in partnership to support skills needs in the area and link our student body with future job opportunities. The aim is that the logistics hub provides students with an introduction to highly-rewarding jobs and careers in this sector that they had previously not considered.
“The sector needs well-trained, confident and well-educated young people and our students are the solution to future skills needs in transport management and logistics. As an approved centre for delivery of CILT qualifications we are also now able to offer shorter training and upskilling opportunities for the local community and for those already employed in the sector but who want to progress in their careers.”
Mr Pawsey said: “The Chamber meetings are a good opportunity for me to hear the issues that businesses have in the area and I always say that, where I can, I will help to overcome any barriers they may be facing.
“I am pleased that through all of us talking we have come up with this fantastic solution.”
Glenn Robinson, Skills for Employment manager for Warwickshire County Council, said: “The council is delighted to support development of the hub as the logistics sector is of huge importance to the county.
“I’ve visited the hub and have seen what a professional environment it provides. Hopefully, many of the students who will learn there go on to secure jobs in logistics.”
Contact WCG logistics project manager Charley Duxbury at [email protected] or 07740 419331 for more information.
