Logistics Manager Magazine

A new logistics academy designed to boost skills training has been launched in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

The Logistics Academy Yorkshire & Humber (LAYH), which is led by industry employers and supported by Skills for Logistics, aims to provide quality, industry relevant training and learning programmes to employers in the region, raising the professionalism of the sector and helping business to benefit their bottom line through Continuous Professional Development and improved skills.

The Logistics Academy will build on the Yorkshire & Humber region’s strength in logistics through provision of relevant skills training from basic-entry qualifications to doctoral level. It will also provide a regional resource of information, advice and guidance on skills development for employers.

The Logistics Academy will be run by a partnership consortium of businesses, universities, further education colleges and private training suppliers, led by Hull College’s ports and logistics centre coordinator, Darryl Hare. It will fully open at the University of Hull’s Logistics Institute in September.

David Orrell, regional manager for Yorkshire & Humber, said: “Logistics is at the heart of the UK economy and the establishment of the Logistics Academy Yorkshire & Humber is a welcome development for the region. Led by the skills development needs of employers, the Academy will ensure quality of training provision and help to raise the profile of the sector as one with great development opportunities and a high level of professionalism.”

Sarah Gribbin, higher skills team leader for Yorkshire & Humber East Lifelong Learning Network (YHELLN), one of the partner organisations, said that the academy would be a powerful, employer-led regional centre of excellence, set up to deliver consistent and relevant skills training. “We envisage it will be of particular use to employers and their staff as they battle with the effects of the recession, and look towards a positive period of growth.”

The academy will be run by project co-ordinator Roopa Alex, with support from the Logistics Institute, pulling together a number of logistics courses from the educational bodies and companies involved from across the Yorkshire & Humber region.

Other organisations supporting the Logistics Academy include Doncaster College, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education, Hargreaves Training Services Ltd, Hull College, Leeds College of Technology, the Transport and General Workers Union, Wakefield College and the University of Huddersfield.