Thurrock Learning Partnership

Masterclass in Logistics

2 July 2008

Eighty young people, aged 14-15, from across Thurrock attended a Masterclass in Logistics. This gave them the opportunity to gain an understanding of the number of different career opportunities available in the logistics industry. The event was the initiative of the Thurrock Business Association Workforce Development Group (TBA WFD) working with Thurrock Learning Partnership and the 14-19 Strategic Partnership.

Andy Kirby from Unilever, a member of the WFD Group came up with the theme of The Supply Chain and generously offered to chair a steering group of local employers, Young Enterprise and colleagues from the 14-19 team.  The group worked to develop the theme into an interesting programme for the day – this gave employers a real sense of ownership in relation to the programme and how it was developed.

Colleagues from industry were mentors for the day and worked with the young people in designing and developing a product – a racing car and then the related marketing, purchasing and finance. The programme gave young people a hands-on experience of the diversity and complexity of operations that take place in the logistics industry.

Young people were very positive about the day and enjoyed the interactive way in which employers were working with them – they gained valuable understanding of the logistics sector and the routes in which they might undertake a career within the industry.

Everyone, including teachers and employers, voted the day a great success.