Jobs and Careers Summer 2023 - 277

LOGISTICS
Protection for workers
The logistics sector can be a stressful, strenuous
and sometimes dangerous sector to work in. According
to the Health and Safety Executive, conditions
experienced by logistics workers and drivers include
musculoskeletal disorders, as well as stress, anxiety
and depression, possibly linked to bad sleep patterns,
sedentary behaviour and poor nutrition. Accidental
injuries are also a risk - for instance, when moving loads
or using heavy machinery - and the Office for National
Statistics reports that the suicide rate for lorry drivers
is 20% higher than the national average.
Logistics companies are taking action to make their
staff's mental and physical health a priority, tackling
schedules, deadlines and workloads to reduce the
pressure, and ensuring workers get adequate breaks
and rest. This is especially true for drivers who are
on the road for long periods of time, and warehouse
operatives, who work in physically demanding roles.
Some companies have signed up to wellbeing apps
for their drivers, who can use their mobile phones to
access services while on the road. Warehouses are
being designed to include exercise facilities and green
spaces where workers can destress and have access
to more natural light.
also repair and service machinery
and equipment. You could work in the
automotive, aircraft or manufacturing
industry, fitting, fabricating and
assembling the structural components
that make up mechanical systems.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
You'll need experience of working in
a manufacturing environment and an
understanding of plant machinery.
A Level 2 certificate in Mechanical
Engineering is useful, plus at least
two GCSEs.
How much can I earn? Salaries start
at around £20,000, rising to £35,000
with experience.
The logistics sector has doubled in size
in a decade, and is on track to overtake
the NHS as the UK's largest employer
monitoring the flow of goods. With
experience, you can progress to the
management of large storage units or
specific customer contracts.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
You need a logical and systematic
approach to work, the ability to manage
your time, excellent communication
skills, negotiation and analytical skills,
some degree of IT literacy and the ability
to handle electronic data. A degree,
HND or foundation degree in business,
computing, economics, information
systems and management or transport
and logistics may help you get in.
How much can I earn? Salaries start from
£19,000 to £25,000, rising to £35,000.
Senior managers can earn up to £60,000.
Mechanical fitter
A fitter's job is to fit and assemble parts
to make production machinery. They
Driver
Trucks deliver everything from food and
furniture to car parts and appliances, and
logistics companies rely on their drivers
to carry out this all-important task. It's
not as simple as putting your foot down
- you have to follow strict schedules
and safety guidelines. It may seem like
a lonely job, but drivers are in frequent
contact with colleagues - they're part
of a team with a shared mission to make
a successful, safe delivery. Wages have
recently increased, with many companies
offering free inductions and training due
to a huge shortage of drivers.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
You'll need a Driver Certificate of
Professional Competence (CPC), and you
may need a further qualification such as a
large goods vehicle (LGV) licence and, if
you're dealing with hazardous materials,
an ADR certificate. You'll be customerfacing,
so customer service skills are key.
Apprenticeships are available.
How much can I earn? Wages of between
£35,000 and £58,000 are now typical,
thanks to the recent increase.
Find out more
* British International Freight
Association
bifa.org
* Logistics UK
logistics.org.uk
jobsandcareersmag.com /// JOBS & CAREERS /// 277
TRANSPORT &
LOGISTICS
http://bifa.org http://logistics.org.uk http://jobsandcareersmag.com
Jobs and Careers Summer 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jobs and Careers Summer 2023
