DAF Trucks has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Think Logistics, the new, transport industry-led drive to encourage 16 to 19 year olds to consider a career in the transport and logistics sector.

The transport industry is urgently looking into ways of addressing the shortfall of skilled drivers, and Think Logistics, the brain-child of Abbey Logistics’ Steve Granite, has the full-backing of the RHA and a number of other leading truck operators.

It is being delivered by national education charity, Career Academies UK (soon to be called Career Ready).

DAF Trucks’ announcement follows Think Logistics’ presence at the CV Show where DAF Trucks and the RHA hosted a presentation and workshop for students from a local college.

Career Academies UK said that DAF Trucks' contribution will have "a considerable impact on our future investment plans for the project". 

Funding also comes from the Edge Foundation, the independent education charity focused on technical, practical and vocational learning. It is committing £50,000 to the initiative.

Through Career Academies UK, Think Logistics has been delivering industry-specific awareness workshops at various schools and colleges and has plans to set up five strategically located ‘Logistics academies’ in the North-East, Humberside, East Midlands, Manchester and the South West in September 2015.

The first Logistics Academy was opened in September 2014 at West Derby School in Liverpool.

Real-world experience at the cutting edge of the logistics industry will be provided by ‘mentoring’  programmes from leading operators involved in the project, including Eddie Stobart, Bibby Distribution, Matthew Kibble Transport, Brian Yeardley Continental, Caterpillar and several more. 

Commenting on Think Logistics, Ray Ashworth (pictured), managing director at DAF Trucks, said: “At last, a serious initiative addressing the industry’s root concerns. I’ve been deeply impressed with Think Logistics and how it has been engaging directly with young people at schools and colleges.

"With Steve Granite’s infectious passion for trucks and transport and with his unwavering determination to attract a new generation to what is such a dynamic industry, we have an irresistible combination with genuine potential to open the eyes of young people to a range of job opportunities they may not have considered previously. I believe we have the ingredients here to excite the next generation.”

Ian Nichol, national STEM development manager at Career Academies UK, added: “Think Logistics is an ambitious project and we’re very pleased with results thus far. DAF Trucks’ contribution is significant and it will have a considerable impact on our future investment plans for the project.”

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