1000 military leavers to gain work placements with logistics employers

As Armistice day approaches, men and women leaving the armed forces and seeking a new career gain a boost from a government funded Military Work Placement Scheme.

Skills for Logistics, London, 8 November 2012 Skills for Logistics (SfL) and The Logistics Guild have formally launched the Military Work Placement Scheme, a pilot scheme offering 1000 people leaving the military fully funded, two week work placements with quality civilian logistics organisations.

The launch, which took place at The Imperial War Museum in London, was attended by Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, as well as employers and representatives of the military.

Speaking at the event, Mr Hammond said: "I am extremely pleased to be able to support this excellent scheme.

"The logistics industry is the backbone of businesses up and down our country so it is vital that we continue to find ways to inject it with talented hard-workers.

"The military have exactly the sort of transferable skills that can drive this crucial sector forward.

"I wish those taking part every success with their future placement."

The work placement will allow the recruit and the employer a period to successfully bridge the gap between military and civilian work life. Recruits can demonstrate their clear worth and see what opportunities are available.

The programme will provide genuine work placements and civilian employers must offer an interview and feedback at the end of the placement. The work placements are for all ranks. Current vacancies include all types of warehouse, traffic office, freight forwarding, driving and operative work, from the shop floor to all levels of management.

Commenting on the programme, Dr Mick Jackson, CEO of Skills for Logistics, said: "Employers are very enthusiastic to get involved in the programme and have access to the excellent resource. In addition to driving and warehousing jobs we will be looking for jobs in freight management and supply chain management so we want candidates from all ranks including officers and senior NCOs."

He added: "Companies already involved in the scheme include Kuehne + Nagel, Allied Bakeries, Wincanton, Boots and Next. We are also building on work we have done in local areas with local hauliers and logistics operations."

Skills for Logistics received £1.14 million, under the third phase of UK Commission for Employment and Skills’ Employer Investment Fund (EIF3), to deliver this programme for transition from military to civilian logistics for up to 1000 people leaving the armed forces.

For more information about the Military Work Placement Scheme and to sign up, visit: http://www.logisticsguild.net/