UK ex-military, naval personnel to be re-deployed into civilian logistics

THE British government has awarded a grant of GBP1.14 million (US$1.82 million) to re-train and re-deploy ex-military and naval personnel into the civilian logistics sector.

Through its Skills for Logistics Scheme, part of the Commission for Employment and Skills' Employer Investment (EIF3), the plan aims to help place up to 1,000 personnel from the military into civilian logistics.

Ex-armed forces personnel will be given specific routes into the sector to fill acute driver shortages through newly established Local Logistics Community Networks (LLCNs), said SfL chief executive officer Mick Jackson, an attempt to address transition into the working world.

Of the 25,000 apprenticeships awarded in the sector between August 2004 and July 2011, some 12,000 went to apprentices from the armed forces. "SfL's solution will ensure these logistics skills transfer into the sector by providing service leavers," said Mr Jackson.

These personnel will possess formal qualifications, relevant military experience alongside necessary work experience, on-the-job training, interview practice and formal interview feedback to better equip them for a career in the civilian world, he added.

The funding will equip ex-military and naval personnel, and subsequent employers with advice, guidance tools, work placements and specific training for driving, warehouse, traffic office and logistics' administrative roles.

It will road test work placements through an established LLCN with on-job training, guaranteed interviews and feedback to be a template for existing LLCNs.

The aim is to see 1,000 work placements by the end of the programme, 5,000 by 2016 and an overall total of 250 employers committed to the programme.