BIFA Backs UK Technical Education Reforms to Strengthen Future Logistics Workforce

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The British International Freight Association (BIFA) has welcomed the UK Government’s plans to overhaul technical education, saying the reforms could help address long standing skills shortages by giving vocational learning the same status as traditional academic pathways.

Announced by the Prime Minister, the reforms will introduce new technical education pathways for 14 year olds, combining classroom learning with practical skills, employer engagement, and work experience linked to local employment opportunities. For the freight forwarding and logistics sector, the changes are seen as an opportunity to improve awareness of careers that are essential to the UK’s trade and supply chains but often overlooked by young people.

Steve Parker, Director General of BIFA, said the logistics industry has long argued against a hierarchy of career choices that favors academic routes over vocational education.

He noted that freight forwarding, logistics, and supply chain management offer rewarding and well paid careers while playing a critical role in supporting the UK economy. However, many students remain unaware of the range of opportunities available across the sector.

“The Government’s commitment to value the hard hat as much as the graduation cap is a positive step towards changing perceptions of technical and vocational careers,” Parker said. He added that the announcement aligns closely with BIFA’s ongoing work to engage schools and encourage more young people to consider careers in logistics.

The freight forwarding and logistics industry supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the UK and underpins the movement of goods that keep businesses and consumers supplied. As recruitment challenges continue across the sector, expanding the talent pipeline has become an increasing priority for employers.

BIFA has already invested in strengthening connections between education providers and industry through its schools outreach programme and partnerships with colleges.

A key initiative is the association’s collaboration with South Hampshire College Group, which was established to help develop courses that better prepare students for careers in logistics, freight forwarding, and supply chain management.

The partnership allows freight forwarding companies in the Solent region to contribute to course development while engaging directly with students through career events, guest presentations, and industry insight sessions. Students are introduced to specialist areas including customs, compliance, supply chain management, digital logistics systems, sustainability, and customer service.

The programme builds on BIFA’s 2021 campaign encouraging member companies to work with schools and colleges to promote careers across the logistics sector.

Parker said BIFA has begun extending the same model to The City of Bristol College and Suffolk New College, both located in regions with significant logistics activity.

He said working closely with education providers gives students a clearer understanding of logistics careers while allowing employers to influence the knowledge and skills future recruits bring into the workplace.

BIFA believes the Government’s proposals to strengthen collaboration between schools and employers provide an opportunity for the freight forwarding sector to play a larger role in developing the next generation of logistics professionals. The association said it and its members are ready to support that ambition by continuing to build stronger links between education and industry.