Logistics Skills Network was borne as a result of the curtailment of training provision during the pandemic, where it became clear that the interests of providers, and the employers they train for, needed a collective voice when dealing with government departments and agencies.  

Training providers deliver essential training to the majority of the labour force in logistics and passenger transport, helping to tackle drastic skills shortages and keep the country ticking over.  During the pandemic, the DVSA suspended driver testing for vocational drivers, causing the mainly small, regionally-based training schools to suspend training. 

Not only did this exacerbate the already-chronic shortage of LGV and PCV drivers but also put the industry at longer term risk should these schools fail permanently.

The primary aims of the new Network are to bring together key organisations from the sector to develop and share best practices, initiatives, knowledge, experience and resources, and offer a communication platform for the coordination of collective interests. 

The DVSA’s Senior External Affairs Manager, Mike Warner, is keen to support the development of the new trade body “Logistics Skills Network has great potential and good geographical reach, representing the gap in the stakeholder map. The DVSA is looking forward to building on our new relationship to pioneer the development of the Logistics Skills Network. We will collaborate with the Network in our service development plans and ensure active engagement for member representation.”

Logistics Skills Network is a collaboration of Skills for Logistics, a highly respected authority in logistics training and an apprenticeship end-point assessing organisation (EPAO), and Mantra Learning.