THE annual, ever-growing, Black Friday shopping boom is under way already, with parcel deliveries up 50 per cent since it began.
Predictions from professional services network PWC suggest that shoppers will splurge a record £6.4billion this year, with half of the nation bagging a bargain.
But whether you’re shopping in store or having buys delivered, getting your goodies relies on the logistics sector.
Often described as the UK’s “hidden industry”, logistics employs around 2.7million people — equivalent to eight per cent of the workforce.
As well as the HGV drivers, couriers and van drivers, there are dozens of other job roles too, with some salaries in the sector doubling since the pandemic.
Bethany Windsor is Programme Director of Generation Logistics, which promotes roles in the industry.
She says: “Logistics is a sector that is so often overlooked, but particularly so when it comes to bringing Black Friday to Brits all across the country.
“What many people don’t see is the behind-the-scenes magic needed, and the many different roles required to bring this to life.
From keeping warehouses stocked and managing the supply chain, to digital technology, customer care and everything in between, there are many career opportunities within logistics — all ensuring that bargains are bagged and deliveries meet doorsteps.”
The sector is known for providing entry-level roles and on-the-job training and can offer a career for life.
As well as the traditional jobs such as warehouse staff and import operatives, there are rapidly increasing numbers of professional-level roles for data scientists, environmental executives and digital experts to predict consumer trends and keep global supply chains functioning.
John Wilson is Director of Warehousing and Logistics for digital department store freemans.com and is responsible for getting millions of parcels to customers in the run-up to Christmas.
He says: “Black Friday and Cyber Week are the equivalent of the retail World Cup for our teams.
“It really is the best time to see logistics in action and a brilliant way to kick-start a career.”
Bilal Amin, 35, and Connor Green, 23, work as Picker/Packers at the freemans.com hub in Bradford.
They collect orders before the goods are shipped to customers.
Connor said: “To succeed in this role you have to be hard-working and reliable.
“While it’s a straightforward job, you have to be efficient to get it right.”
Bilal added: “If you want to get fit, you’ll like this job as it involves a lot of walking.
“Being target-based, it can be a challenge at first but I’d recommend it to anyone.
“It’s helped me focus and believe I can achieve my goals.”
Find out more at fgh-uk.com/careers.
HERE’S HOW TO GET STARTED
No experience? No problem. The chances are that you will already possess some of the skills needed, such as organisation, clear communication and a hard-working attitude.
Tailor your CV: Employers aren’t always looking for experience, they want enthusiasm, reliability and a willingness to learn.
Keep your CV up-to-date, professional and grammatically correct in order to demonstrate to potential employers that you are taking the position seriously.
Look for a long-term career: The logistics sector offers a vast range of opportunities, from HGV driving and warehouse operations to planning, engineering and digital technology.
Work out what matters most, to help you find a position that suits your lifestyle and long-term goals.
Where do you see yourself in one, three and five years’ time?
Are you looking for flexibility in your working hours? A physical hands-on role, or an office- based one?
Network for success: Platforms like LinkedIn can help you understand the roles, the companies and the different routes to progression.
Starting a conversation online or in person can lead to receiving really valuable advice, and showing a genuine interest in others’ experiences can open doors that you may not even know existed.
Take an apprenticeship: Lots of leading firms offer apprenticeships so you can gain hands-on experience, develop sector-specific skills and work towards professional qualifications – all while you are getting paid.
Find the right role: Try the quiz at generationlogistics.org/find-your-future.
SET THE PERFECT TEMP AT WORK
WITH winter seemingly here, bosses are being urged to ensure workplaces meet warmth guidelines.
While there is no specific legal minimum or maximum temperature for UK offices, employers must maintain a “reasonable” indoor level, with the Health and Safety Executive suggesting a minimum of 16C for sedentary work or 13C for strenuous work.
Employment expert Frances Li, from Biscuit Recruitment, says: “Temperature sounds trivial, but it has a real impact on people’s focus, mood and sense of comfort at work.
“There is long-standing research showing that standard office temperatures are based on outdated formulas that don’t reflect the diversity of today’s workforce.
“Women, in particular, are more likely to feel cold in an office environment.”
Here, she shares her tips for getting a comfortable office environment . . .
- Agree a temperature range, not a fixed number: A range gives flexibility and avoids the “all or nothing” battle you see in many offices.
- Consider layout: Sitting under an air vent or next to a draughty window can alter how warm or cold someone feels. Moving desks can solve what heating can’t.
- Uncover the real issue: When colleagues argue about temperature, it’s rarely really about how cold it is. Instead, it’s often about communication, fairness or people feeling unheard.
- Provide personal comfort options: Portable warm items, heated seating pads, fingertip heaters and foot warmers are low-cost solutions.
- Treat temperature complaints as feedback, not fussiness: If multiple people are complaining about the cold, the issue isn’t the individuals, it’s the environment.
- Use winter as a wellbeing moment: Cold weather affects mood, energy and motivation. Checking in with staff during winter isn’t just kind, it’s strategic.
CAREER REGRETS
HALF of working people say they were pushed down a career path that was not their choice by parents or teachers, with a quarter confessing that their current job makes them unhappy.
Two-thirds claim they were given unhelpful advice at school, with one in ten told not to pursue careers such as doctor or pilot because they were “out of reach”.
Yet the study by schools group ACS found that now, 85 per cent of parents would encourage their children to follow their dreams, with 57 per cent claiming to be “much more open” about possible career choices compared to their own parents.
Martin Hall, Head of School, ACS Hillingdon, said: “Parents experiencing career regret shouldn’t assume the only path is the one they took.”
AI QUICKENS CARE
CARING for others is one of the nation’s most important jobs, yet over 100,000 social care vacancies are currently open.
To help speed up recruitment, home healthcare firm Cera has launched a new AI tool that can interview candidates just seconds after applying.
Called Ami, the AI recruiter conducts realistic interviews before booking in candidates with a human hiring manager.
The tool has helped save two days a week of recruiters’ time and has doubled the number of job offers made. The process has cut in half the time from application to job offer.
User Darren Griffiths, 57, from King’s Lynn, Norfolk, said: “ People say AI is cold. My experience with Ami was the opposite.”
Apply at ceracare.co.uk/jobs.
JOBSPOT
- Posh lifestyle store Oliver Bonas has more than 80 vacancies, including Christmas store team members and assistant managers. Search at jobs.oliverbonas.com.
- Indian restaurant chain Dishoom needs bar/cafe staff, chefs and floor managers. Tuck into your new role at jobs.dishoom.com.
