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Proposed academy targets supply chain needs

A Technology Innovation Centre product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 9, 2008

Logistics professionals assembled in the university's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) to hear a proposal for a one-stop-shop academy to meet the skills needs of the region's logistics employers.

Birmingham City University was selected as the launchpad for a skills delivery infrastructure proposal, on behalf of Skills for Logistics (SfL) a national sector skills council.

30 professionals from the supply chain, logistics and transport management fields assembled in the university's Technology Innovation Centre (TIC) to hear SfL's proposal for a "one-stop-shop" academy to meet the skills needs of the region's logistics employers.

Skills for Logistics' West Midlands Manager, James Billingham, told the delegates that the need had been identified for an effective logistics training infrastructure to be established.

The aim is to bring regional co-ordination to the profession's skills development and career progression, while offering access to qualifications at a range of levels.

This would form the basis of a relevant and consistent programme to be offered nationally.

James Billingham said: "The complex modern business practice of logistics employs a quarter of a million in the West Midlands and underpins every supply chain in the region".

"It is clear a programme of qualifications is needed to help anyone in the industry with ambition to make progress".

"Our proposal offers educational stepping stones and support services to employers ranging from a basic knowledge of logistics, through to qualifications appropriate to senior management".

Birmingham City University's TIC is one of the UK's few centres offering a master's degree course in logistics.

This gave it an authoritative role, as the West Midlands senior educational institution, to host the Skills for Logistics' launch of the Logistics Academy proposals.

An audience comprising representatives from other universities, further education and private colleges, as well as training centres at every qualification level, were invited to participate in the consultative event at TIC.

This provided a forum where attendees aired their views and interests concerning the operation of a network of institutions which would collaborate to offer the required range of courses.

Details were given of Skills for Logistics' Professional Development Stairway - a 12-step framework for career planning and continuous professional development programmes, together with relevant qualifications.

This 'stairway' is the product of wide-ranging consultation with logistics operators, of all sizes and across every type of supply chain.

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