We were big supporters of the RHA’s National Lorry Week at the end of last year. One of the aims of the annual event is to encourage young people to consider a career in transport.

There are some great opportunities for everyone – including those at the very start of their careers – in transport and logistics. In this post, we look at some of the possible job options and the key skills needed to work in the industry.

What jobs are there in transport?

Where do we start? Transport and logistics is a huge sector, with a whole host of very different career types on offer. In fact, the UK has the biggest transport industry in Europe, so your choice of career is diverse. You don’t have to be on the road – there are office jobs involved in moving things from A to B, as well as mechanical and technical roles. Any job is just as likely to involve working with a spreadsheet as working with your hands. Planning ways for operations to run smoothly as well as sales and marketing are just some of the areas you could build a career.

Both graduates and non-graduates can find opportunities in logistics and transport. There are many graduate schemes available and entry requirements depend on the role. To work for a logistics company, you’ll normally need to hold a logistics degree, while an accredited engineering degree is typically required for electrical or maintenance engineering jobs. To drive a lorry, you’ll need a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC), or to apply for a National Vocational Training (NVT) concession while you’re driving.

Further training through professional bodies can be an advantage for networking, continuing professional development (CPD) and keeping up to date with advances in the industry. Keep it Cool is an accredited member of the RHA, and we’ll now look to that organisation for more information on four popular jobs in transport.

1. Transport Manager

The Transport Manager is an integral role in any transport operation, providing not only the practical operational backbone to the company but also the critical link between the various elements that ensure compliance with the many thousands of pieces of legislation that must be adhered to.

Transport Managers are certified by examination which is designed to test not only the knowledge they have but also how they would apply that knowledge in everyday work situations. To succeed in this role you will have good personal judgement coupled with a strong sense of social and legal responsibility.

2. Driver

In order to succeed in this role you must have an eye for detail, a steady hand and well-focused customer care skills. Drivers are the life blood of the transport and logistics industry and provide the means by which the population is kept clothed, fed, fuelled and in good health.

Driving is a stable, customer-facing role that can be very rewarding and challenging at the same time. Imagine watching the sunset come up as you drive over Slochd summit en route from Inverness to Glasgow or the site of Stonehenge looming on the horizon as you drive down the A303 towards Yeovil in Somerset. That load won’t get there by itself. It takes dedication, determination and an excellent standard of road craft to be successful as a driver and get it to the customer.

3. Maintenance

LGV Mechanics specialise in the many different types of equipment that are used to deliver the goods need. You may not know it but all Large Goods and Passenger vehicles have to be independently inspected to MOT standards every 4 – 12 weeks. Vehicle inspectors are employed to carry out these vital checks and ensure the fleet is kept roadworthy and safe. Other roles available in the maintenance category include: tyre fitting, trailer fitter, fridge mechanic, tail lift fitter, hydraulics and electrical mechanics.

4. Warehouse

Warehousing is another important factor in the logistics chain with many roles to choose from. Warehouse Managers look after the safe and efficient running of the operation, pickers, packers, loaders and fork truck drivers ensure vehicles are loaded with the correct goods at the correct time. Quality control teams and dispatchers ensure that products are sent to the correct destinations at the correct temperatures or in the correct amounts. It doesn’t stop there; warehousing is a vast IT driven machine and could not work safely without the skilled technicians who ensure that voice activated picking equipment is working or robotic very narrow isle forklifts are maintained. 

For more on careers in transport, visit the Working in Transport page of the RHA’s website.

We asked Nikki Redhead, Managing Director of Keep it Cool, and Alan Milnes, our Transport Manager, what they considered the key skills for working in transport and logistics:

1. Forward-thinking

You must develop the ability to make accurate predictions of the possible needs of your customer and company, as well as outcomes of actions made anywhere in the entire supply chain. These skill will allow you to act faster, see potential risks and develop contingency plans for problems that may or may not arise.

2. Great analytical and numerical skills

It’s not essential to have a degree in mathematics or statistics, but you must be able to read and analyse data and make interpretations based on that.

3. Sound decision-making

You must be able to make sound decisions – fast. There will always be unforeseen circumstances , but being as prepared as possible can help you make better decisions.

4. Adaptability and accountability

Consider this famous quote by Greek philosopher Heraclitus: “The only thing that is constant is change”. Problems and last-minute changes are almost totally inevitable in a logistics manager’s day-to-day life, so always be quick on your feet to welcome change and make the necessary adjustments. Even more important, when things don’t go to plan, a logistics manager must be ready to take responsibility.

5. Team player with good interpersonal skills

Your work requires you to deal with people from all walks of life and you need to make a good connection with everyone you transact with. There is no room for miscommunication whether face-to-face or in written form. Success of every aspect of the supply chain is a group effort. It pays to treat everyone with respect and professionalism.

Thanks for careers advice from the RHA and Cerasi as well as the Keep it Cool team.