X2 (UK), one of the country’s leading logistics firms, has announced its renewed sponsorship of Generation Logistics for a second consecutive year. Silver Sponsor X2 (UK) is a keen supporter of the Generation Logistics initiative, championing the campaign’s mission to cultivate the next generation of talent in the industry.
While logistics may be the backbone of the economy – keeping supply chains moving and making sure goods reach the shelves – the industry is facing a major challenge in the form of a persistent and growing skills gap. Generation Logistics was launched to tackle this issue head-on, aiming to address the industry’s immediate recruitment needs and shape a more diverse workforce for the future.
What is Generation Logistics?
Established in August 2022, Generation Logistics is a collaboration between the UK government and a number of key organisations in the logistics sector, including the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILTUK) and Logistics UK. This combination of government involvement and industry insight has made Generation Logistics a prominent platform spurring workforce innovation in the industry.
At its core, the campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the dynamic and rewarding career opportunities available in the logistics sector. It’s particularly intent on changing how logistics is perceived, challenging outdated ideas that the industry is a male-dominated field dependent on manual labour. Modern logistics is a technology-driven arena populated by a diverse workforce, and it’s important that people realise this – particularly Millennials and Gen Z.
Appealing to a new generation of talent
Recruiting the younger generations into logistics has been a challenge, to say the least. These newer generations have distinct values and principles – as they rightly should – prioritising career factors like sustainability. Over 50% of Gen Zs and MIllennials research a company’s environmental policies before considering a job, making it essential for the logistics industry to shake off its “diesel and fumes” image.
Through highlighting the efforts the logistics industry has had in reducing its carbon footprint and engaging in ethical sourcing and embracing AI – along with its notable success – the sector stands a far better chance of appealing to the modern mindset.
In a bid to promote these aspects of the industry, Generation Logistics is pursuing a multifaceted approach that includes digital campaigns, targeted outreach to schools and colleges and developing curriculum-aligned teaching resources. These efforts are designed to inspire students and educators alike, showing how logistics intersects with subjects such as geography, business studies and mathematics.
Beyond raising awareness, Generation Logistics also actively engages with professionals through an ambassador network. Consisting of over 370 industry representatives, this group plays a key role in mentoring and guiding the next generation of logistics professionals, sharing their experiences at events and in schools.
Solving a serious economic problem
With logistics underpinning almost every sector in the UK economy, any problems the industry faces are problems for everyone. The acute workforce shortage the industry has experienced for some time posed a fundamental threat to the effective movement of goods and services across the country, with the sector requiring an estimated 30,000 new professionals annually to meet its operational needs.
At the heart of the labour shortage is the need to fill critical skills gaps, with too few young people considering logistics as a career path. That said, it also presents a major opportunity for the next generation to step in and shape the future of the sector. Logistics already offers a diverse range of career options, each supported by leading-edge technologies. For young professionals with an eye on the future, logistics offers more scope for personal and industry growth than many of the traditional career avenues that people consider.
X2 (UK), sponsoring the future
As Generation Logistics enters its third year, X2 (UK) remains as committed to the campaign as ever, continuing to support its mission to drive awareness and attract new talent to the sector. The initiative has over 30 sponsors and 13 partners already confirmed for the year ahead, with the campaign set to spread its logistics wings even further in 2025, engaging even more young people, educators and career changers across the UK.
Ian Cramb, Managing Director of X2 (UK), is particularly keen for people to understand what modern logistics means. “When people think about logistics careers, they tend to picture driving lorries or working in warehouses. While those roles are vital, they’re a small part of a much bigger picture. Logistics is the backbone of our economy and involves a wide range of skills and disciplines.”
“Modern logistics covers engineering, operations, finance, sales, and even cutting-edge technologies like AI and robotics. It’s a dynamic and innovative field that offers many more career options than people realise. Generation Logistics is opening people’s eyes to this. It’s helping younger generations to see logistics as a pathway to an exciting and impactful career… one that plays a major role in shaping our economy.”
Building on the campaign’s successes to date
When it comes to spreading the modern logistics message, Generation Logistics made significant strides in its second year, delivering results that exceeded expectations. Using multiple platforms in its outreach strategy, the Year 2 campaign achieved a number of highlights:
- 580,000 website hits, which surpassed the campaign’s target by 16%. This would suggest there’s a healthy demand for information on logistics jobs – a demand that the campaign can build on and convert into a new generation of successful professionals.
- 3.1 million social media engagements, which exceeded the target by 5%. This reflects the campaign’s success in connecting with younger, more tech-savvy audiences who are perhaps more responsive to an approach centred around compelling content.
- 3,700 curriculum downloads. This surpassed the campaign’s target by a remarkable 149%. It demonstrates the increasing interest among educators to integrate logistics information into school curricula, making sure that students are exposed to logistics as a viable and rewarding career path.
- 370 ambassadors in the network. As mentioned, this group played a key role in advocating for logistics careers, mentoring young talent and raising awareness about the benefits of working in the sector.
In addition to this significant performance data, Year 2 also saw X2 (UK) oversee the successful launch of two initiatives that further heightened the campaign’s profile.
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Generation Logistics Week
The inaugural event brought together industry leaders, educators and aspiring professionals to explore career opportunities within the industry. The event provided a platform for networking and sharing experiences, inspiring the next generation of talent.
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2024 Careers Booklet
A comprehensive guide was distributed to schools across the UK, offering students an in-depth look at the logistics sector and available career paths, helping spark interest in logistics among young people across the country.
Conclusion
The logistics industry is facing a workforce shortage, but initiatives like Generation Logistics, with the support of industry leaders such as X2 (UK), are making steady progress in addressing the challenge. X2 (UK) contributes financial backing and strategic expertise to help bridge the skills gap, encourage diversity and transform the sector’s outdated image.
As Generation Logistics enters its third year, the campaign’s continued growth promises to make an even bigger impact on the generations that will define the industry’s future. Beyond simply attracting new professionals to the industry, however, what makes the campaign quite so significant is the shared vision of long-term transformation. New and diverse talent will bring new and diverse voices to the sector – inspiring innovative ideas and perspectives.
The logistics sector may be equipped with a swath of state-of-the-art technologies, but its current workforce is getting a little long in the tooth. It may be time to see how the industry will thrive when it merges its technological capabilities with a professional population that instead of looking forward to retirement, is simply looking forward.
To find out more about Generation Logistics, contact them here. To learn about X2 (UK) and how their logistics operation is supporting a healthier and more sustainable logistics future, you can discover more here.
About X2 (UK)
X2 (UK) is a leading 4PL provider, offering comprehensive supply chain solutions that streamline operations and reduce costs. With a network of over 1,000 partner hauliers, the company manages transportation, warehousing and inventory for clients across numerous various sectors, including retail, manufacturing and construction. The company focuses on innovative technologies and sustainable practices, helping businesses optimise their supply chains while reducing the environmental impact of these chains to an absolute minimum.