Logistics companies are being urged to contribute ideas for a National Skills Academy for their industry before the closing date of 5 March.
So far the government has approved eight academies to address skills shortages in the construction, financial services, manufacturing and food & drink industries. In October 2006 the second tranche of National Skills Academies was launched, covering the nuclear, process industries, creative & cultural, and hospitality industries.
The academies
are 50% funded by sponsoring employers, with a further 35% from government. The employers are involved in deciding which skills need to be taught and to whom. A spokeswoman for the Learning and Skills Council says: "Even those small employers who couldn't afford to contribute financially could still get involved in shaping the curriculum."
But Richard Turner, chief executive of the Freight Transport Association, is not convinced of the scheme's relevance to road haulage: "It's hard to gauge the level of interest in the road transport industry for this. We don't necessarily lack training - we lack people willing to make their careers in logistics.
"It's hard to know whether the lack of response from road transport is a failure on the industry's part or because the scheme isn't appropriate to the industry's needs."
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