7 reasons to choose a career in logistics

Those of us who work in logistics already know it's a great industry in which to forge a career. But, with so much energy invested in service fulfilment, it can be hard to find the time needed to draw in the fresh recruits we need to meet demand in the longer-term.

With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of seven reasons why we think logistics would make a great career choice, as a starting point for businesses looking to nail down their recruitment messaging.

So, why logistics?

Reason #1 - You’ll have real responsibility

Put simply, logistics is how goods get from one place to another, whether that’s food, fuel, medical supplies or domestic deliveries. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the key role the industry plays in keeping the country moving and services running as expected. People rely on logistics to make sure the right products are in the right place, in the right quantities, at the right time to ensure supply chains run smoothly, avoiding delays and shortages that could prove costly.

Reason #2 - It’s a stable career choice

Logistics is the backbone of the UK. The most recent Government statistics estimate more than 1.5 million people in the UK work in the industry, and that the sector contributes many billions of pounds to the economy each year. New technologies, and an increase in reshoring post Brexit and coronavirus, means the sector is growing and innovating, and that employers are hiring, which is great news for people looking for a secure and stable career.

Reason #3 - It doesn’t matter what education level you have

Most logistics jobs don’t require degree-level qualifications, and the majority of people in the industry will have been trained on the job and worked their way up to where they want to be. So, whether you want to be a driver, a forklift operator, work in exports, import or customs, or a top-level executive - if you’re willing to learn and take on responsibilities - you’ll be able to carve out a career path that works for you. By training on the job, warehouse operatives and drivers can learn about operations, picking up the skills, experience and qualifications needed to progress to technical, administrative and management roles if that is what you want to do.

Which brings us onto…

Reason #4 - There are lots of opportunities for progression

The variety of roles available within the logistics industry means opportunities for career advancement are plentiful. In general, the industry prefers to train up lower-level employees for promotion to higher level positions, rather than to hire externally. So, those who are hard-working and motivated can expect to advance quickly. The nature of logistics work also makes it great for networking and building relationships with contacts that might offer progression opportunities when the time comes.

Reason #5 - You are more likely to be offered flexible hours

Much logistics activity is carried out outside of normal office hours, offering employees the chance to arrange their work schedules to best suit their needs and preferences. Whether it’s driving goods across the country, working in a warehouse, dispatching loads destined for Europe or managing client contracts, there’s often more freedom and flexibility to set your own hours offered in logistics roles than in many other sectors.

Reason #6 - You can work from almost anywhere in the world

The nature of logistics means that workers are needed across the globe, so a career in the industry could begin anywhere and take you wherever you want to go, but is unlikely to require relocation if you don’t want to. With such a variety of roles, your daily workplace could take any form, and there may be opportunities for overseas travel or even to relocate abroad, especially for those who speak a foreign language.

Reason #7 - You won’t be bored!

Logistics involves companies of all sizes, from start-ups to FTSE 100 businesses, and spans the full range of industries. You could be working on anything from localised domestic deliveries to moving large machinery across the country, or even shipping first aid supplies to assist in international disaster recovery - the possibilities are endless. What's more, emerging technologies like driverless vehicles, drones and the Internet of Things look set to revolutionise the industry in the future, offering exciting opportunities for innovation.

Without doubt, working in logistics can be challenging, with intense periods of demand and high expectations on service delivery. But with challenge comes reward for those that decide to give it a go.