Transport and logistics sector
Find out more about working in the transport and logistics sector, in which hundreds of thousands of vacancies are expected to be created by 2020
The transport and logistics sector comprises of freight logistics and passenger transport.
Logistics is in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week and supports all sectors across the whole economy.
Transport underpins all industries by helping employees get to work in the first place, but it also plays an invaluable part in the tourism sector.
According to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) 2012 Transport and Storage Sector Skills Assessment, the sector employs 1.45 million people, which makes up 5% of total employment in the UK.
Employment opportunities in transport and logistics are grouped into:
For examples of job roles in this sector, see graduate jobs in transport and logistics.
This sector is dominated by small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Only 1% of organisations employ over 250 people, while 37% of all organisations in the sector are sole traders - where the business is owned and run by one person.
Only 16% of the workforce in the sector are educated to degree level or above, and this sector is one of the least likely to take on those looking for their first job after leaving education
That said, large firms with more than 100 employees are most likely to take on graduates straight out of university.
These include:
Land Transport
Water transport
Air Transport
Warehousing and support activities
Postal and courier activities
Graduates entering the transport and logistics sector can expect:
To find out more about typical salaries and working conditions in your chosen career, see types of jobs.
The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) 2012 Transport and Storage Sector Skills Assessment states that, as in many other sectors, there is a big demand for younger, replacement employees due to an ageing workforce.
However, employers will need to challenge the current perception that young people aren't attracted to working in the sector.
Organisations in transport and logistics are the second-least likely, out of all the sectors in the economy, to have a formal process of identifying talented individuals. This means it may be difficult to progress your career.
However, larger organisations are more likely to have schemes which enable individuals to find opportunities to progress.
In addition, there is a continuing struggle in the transport and logistics sector to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a greener economy. This will require either new technology or changes in workforce behaviour to be more resourceful in the future.
Find out more about the different kinds of roles in transport and logistics, and whether they fit with your skills and qualifications
These job profiles are examples of graduate careers in the transport and logistics sector:
To find the graduate job roles that best match your skills and interests, log in to what jobs would suit me?
For job vacancies in the transport and logistics sector, search graduate jobs in transport and logistics.
Gain an insight into what employers in transport and logistics look for in candidates
This depends on the job that you are looking to enter into.
For example, you don't need a relevant degree to become cabin crew but you may have an advantage with a degree in logistics when going for a job as a logistics and distribution manager, because your skills will be more in line with that area of work.
However, the majority of the workforce doesn't have a degree, making it an easier industry to enter without a higher education qualification.
You should check each individual occupation to find out if a relevant degree is required or if a particular subject is more applicable than others.
For information on entry requirements and relevant qualifications, see types of jobs.
Candidates with work experience are in very high demand among employers in the industry.
Some of the larger organisations in the sector offer formal work experience through placements or internship opportunities.
As the majority of organisations are SMEs, though, many may not advertise formal work experience opportunities. However, you can approach the smaller organisations and ask them directly if there are any opportunities for you to do some work shadowing.
As many opportunities in smaller organisations are found through word of mouth it is important to build a network of contacts.
To find work placements and internships in the transport and logistics sector, search for work experience.
More than 80% of organisations in transport and logistics employ fewer than 25 people.
Many smaller organisations in this sector use more informal recruitment methods and rely on word of mouth to advertise their vacancies.
This means using local jobs boards and newspapers may be the best way to find employment in smaller companies.
There are graduate schemes available with some of the larger organisations in the transport and logistics sector. Many of the organisations who offer a graduate scheme advertise the vacancies through their website. Examples of employers that offer a graduate scheme include:
To find graduate jobs in the transport and logistics sector, search graduate jobs in transport and logistics.
Postgraduate study, professional qualifications and professional bodies - could they help you progress your career?
This depends on the occupation that you are looking to do in the transport and logistics sector.
If you are looking to become an airline pilot you will need to hold an Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL), which can be obtained through an integrated course or module training.
However, if you wish to be a logistics and distribution manager you may not require a postgraduate degree, but further training through professional bodies may be of advantage if you are looking to progress your career.
For more information on entry requirements and career development in the transport and logistics sector, see types of jobs.
The answer really depends on the type of job you are aiming to obtain.
For some roles you may need a qualification provided - or accredited - by a professional body. This means membership of a professional body is compulsory in order to become qualified to do the job.
For other jobs, being a member of a professional body is voluntary and can be valuable for developing networks, continued professional development and generally keeping up to date with goings-on in the industry.
For more information about entry requirements for specific positions, see graduate jobs in transport and logistics.
A wide range of professional qualifications are recognised, including: