Press Release

Horley, Surrey ( connect2business.co.uk ) October 26, 2013 - By Andy Kaye

The supply chain and logistics sector faces a major human resources challenge in the coming years. By 2017 the industry needs an additional 500,000 highly skilled individuals, trained and qualified, to address the demands of increasingly sophisticated supply chains. However, as an industry we are failing to attract the next-generation of bright young things and this comes down to three key barriers.

1 The image gap

Young people have little or no understanding of what logistics and supply chain management is all about. The general perception is of trucks and sheds, and this is reflected in the images with which we choose to portray our industry. These images may be pertinent to showing physical logistics activity, but they fail to convey the critical and strategic role supply chain management now plays in the economic performance of the business.

Leading companies in retail, manufacturing and the service sector, must lean towards using imagery and language that reflects the exciting 'game changing' nature of modern supply chains- from multi-channel retailing, to global sourcing and niche manufacturing.

2 Education and entry points

To ensure supply chain and logistics becomes a tangible career option for young people it needs to be 'made real' to them as they progress through the educational system. At school the curriculum for GCSE and A Levels should include elements of supply chain management, particularly within business management, geography and economics modules. After all, globalisation and international supply chains are intrinsically linked.

3 Need for clearer definition of job function

Supply chain management is an activity that touches so many other parts of the business that setting out what the job entails is difficult. For young people it may appear complex and mystifying, however, as a sector, we have the important task of explaining to the next generation exactly what is involved - from planning, execution and compliance, to collaborating with internal departments and suppliers. And we need to be clear to young people what we are looking for in terms of skills - the ability to communicate well, solve problems, use IT effectively, demonstrate leadership, show organisational skills and apply a creative mind. But, above all, we need to motivate young people to select logistics and supply chain management as a career for the future.

Andy Kaye is CEO of management recruitment company, BiS Henderson, and founder of The NOVUS Trust Logistics and Supply Chain BSc degree course.

About BiS Henderson

BiS Henderson is a leader in supply chain recruitment in both the private and public sectors. The company has a successful track record spanning the last 25 years working with its clients to solve their supply chain recruitment requirements. The company has a knowledge based approach and a vision to work with its clients to develop high performance, diverse and effective management and professional teams. The company also now offers professional supply chain & logistics consultancy services via BiS Henderson Consulting. http://www.bis-henderson.com/

For further information on the Novus Trust, visit http://www.novus.uk.com/

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The company has a knowledge based approach and a vision to work with its clients to develop high performance, diverse and effective management and professional teams. The company also now offers professional supply chain & logistics consultancy services via BiS Henderson Consulting. www.bis-henderson.com

Organisation Profile:
The company has a knowledge based approach and a vision to work with its clients to develop high performance, diverse and effective management and professional teams. The company also now offers professional supply chain & logistics consultancy services via BiS Henderson Consulting. www.bis-henderson.com