New logistics apprenticeship to be launchd next week
By Ellen O'Regan
The importance of supply chains and logistics have never been as great in the public consciousness as they have been in the last year and Ireland’s first dedicated logistics apprenticeship has been developed to address the skills gap in the industry.
The Logistics Associate Apprenticeship (LAA), the first dedicated apprenticeship for the logistics sector, is now available through Munster Technological University (MTU). The level 6 Higher Certificate in Logistics first launched in Technological University Dublin in 2018.
MTU will be hosting an online open day for prospective employers on Thursday 15 April at 10am. At this event, Minister for Transport Hildegarde Naughton and President of MTU Professor Maggie Cusack, will highlight the importance of apprenticeship programmes, and training and education more generally, for the freight distribution and logistics sector. Employers who have recruited apprentices onto the LAA programme will give an overview of their experiences to date.
Anna Gorecka, Project Manager for the programme, will provide an overview of the programme and the application process.
The impact of Covid-19, coupled with the trade implications associated with Brexit, have created significant challenges for the freight distribution and logistics sector. These challenges have also raised the profile of the sector as essential to the Irish economy, and highlighted the diversity of roles available within the sector. The apprenticeship will help employers to attract young people to the sector, and create career progression opportunities within the supply chain.
President of MTU Professor Maggie Cusack said of the announcement: “We place a very high value on the use of the apprenticeship model in areas where learners can be provided with the best opportunities possible based on a structured blend of industry-based and academic activities. We fully appreciate the strategic importance of the logistics and supply chain sector to the success of the regional and national economies. Accordingly, we are delighted to play a full part in supporting the provision of the LAA.”
Minister Naughton said: “This will be of great benefit to the many businesses located in Munster and to those interested in working in the logistics and supply chain sector, or those already working in the sector and wishing to upskill. The LAA is an excellent example of industry and representative stakeholders and educational institutions actively working together on an apprenticeship programme that meets the needs of both industry and employees or job-seekers during what is a critical time for the logistics sector, in continuing to navigate the impacts of both Brexit and Covid-19.”
Aidan Flynn, Chair of consortium for the apprenticeship, said: “Evidence of (the apprenticeship’s) success to date is that there are now over 60 employers (representing every link in the supply chain, from manufacturing, warehouse and distribution haulage to freight forwarding) with apprentices on the programme. This apprenticeship has proven that, by offering structured training and qualifications on the national framework of qualifications, you can attract new entrants into the industry. In addition, it provides benefits for employers as workforce skills are enhanced and employee loyalty is increased in line with development of improved career progression opportunities.”
Register for the event at mtu-ie.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zGMiEitQQ1GBl4eBDNWhwg.
To find out more, contact 01-8447516, email agorecka@laa.ie or visit www.laa.ie.