Home > News > October 2005 > 12-Oct-2005

Minister calls for increased investment in training

Phil Hope MP, parliamentary under secretary of state for skills, joined employers from freight logistics organisations at the first Skills for Logistics Conference, held on 04 October at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.

Delegates at the conference, entitled 'Right Skill, Right Place, Right Time', took part in a series of debates and questions and answer sessions, and attended presentations addressing various issues faced by the logistics industries.

Acknowledging that the benefits of training are not only improved performance but reduced turnover, lower absenteeism and reduced wastage, Phil Hope commented: "We know this. We've known it for years, yet many companies still fail to train, fail to invest."

According to the Minister, the Government's Skills Strategy addresses this: "We are putting employers at centre stage; getting them to steer the direction of training to meet their needs and to work more closely with training and learning providers to help to develop a workforce that can deliver."

John Allan CBE, Chief Executive of Exel plc delivered the keynote speech for the conference, focusing on people and productivity. In his speech, Allan stressed the need for employers to focus on the investment returns to business gained from a well skilled workforce and pledged his full support for industry wide collaboration, calling upon employers to rally together and unite to address and resolve skills shortages.

The conference was chaired by Richard Turner, chief executive of the Freight Transport Association. Topics for discussion at the conference included:

• Productivity, competitiveness and skills
• The Professional Development Stairway - a foundation for continuous professional development in logistics
• Who should pay for training?
• Key challenges faced by industry

"The conference has been a great success, with high profile members of the logistics community both speaking and attending," said Ian Hetherington, chief executive of the sector skills council Skills for Logistics.

"It has provided us with an excellent opportunity to raise some very important skills issues and open the floor for discussion amongst employers and the Government to ensure that continuing professional development remains high profile on their agenda. This will ultimately prove to benefit UK plc."

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