The logistics sector in the north-east UK, is set to benefit from a new academy established to provide information on skills development and training.
At the end of last week Skills for Logistics (SfL), the sector skills council for the freight logistics industry in the UK, launched the Logistics Academy North East (LANE).
It will be based initially at Middlehaven, the new premises of Middlesbrough College, and will work in conjunction with Gateshead College, the University of Teesside, System Group, TeamTrain, Tyneside Training Services and Van Hee Training.
The launch was led by Andrew Tinkler, CEO of freight company Eddie Stobart, who said: "Logistics has changed so much in the last 20 years – it's no longer just about driving a truck. It's about planning and management and giving great customer service, benefiting both the industry and the consumer.”
Dr Mick Jackson, CEO of Skills for Logistics added: “The academy signifies the importance of industry-relevant, demand-led, high-quality training provision. It will provide employers in the sector with access to the best possible training and will provide a single point of contact for them to get all the information they need to develop the skills of their workforce.”
Despite the recessionary difficulties that local companies, such as Nissan, have experienced since the beginning of the year, the north-east region remains one of the strongest centres for automotive production in the UK, with local major vehicle handling ports such as Immingham and Tyne and Wear continuing to serve international movements.
