Freeport East is expanding its collaboration with the award-winning Road to Logistics through a new fully funded training and employment programme designed to help people in Harwich, Clacton and the wider area to develop new skills and access careers in transport, logistics and warehousing.
Building on an earlier pilot phase in Felixstowe, the programme will take more than 30 learners from Tendring through industry-focused training to prepare them for careers in logistics. Around two-thirds will aim to become HGV drivers with the remaining third pursuing roles as warehouse operatives.
Freeport East is a major hub for logistics and warehousing investment, based on trade passing through the regions ports, and many businesses need local people to fill key roles in the workforce.
Since 2020, Road to Logistics has supported more than 750 unemployed people through industry-focused training and employment support across the UK. Of those taking part, 89% have progressed into employment, with 94% remaining in work after 12 months. To date, supporting those currently out of work into roles in the HGV industry has created almost 3 million pounds of social value – working out as a £6.50 return for every £1 invested.
Connecting skills with economic opportunity
Developing a strong local skills base and helping local people access new job opportunities is central to supporting the growth of businesses and supply chains across the Freeport East region.
The programme builds on an earlier pilot delivered by Freeport East and Road to Logistics in Felixstowe, which supported people facing barriers to employment through a comprehensive training model to become newly qualified HGV drivers. This focused not only on driving skills but also on developing contextual awareness of the responsibilities and risks associated with professional driving, helping to create safer, more informed drivers and giving employers greater confidence in recruiting newly qualified individuals.
Successful participants from the pilot went on to secure roles with organisations including XPO, The Range, Maritime Transport and the Port of Felixstowe. Since the pilot, Road to Logistics has gone on to establish a new HGV driver training academy with Suffolk New College, extending the benefits of this training approach to more jobseekers.
The first information, guidance and awareness day for participants in the new programme will be held at the Freeport East Harwich Innovation Hub in early October, focusing on training and career opportunities for warehouse operatives.
Bridging the gap between employers and learners
Employer engagement is a key part of the programme. Businesses have the opportunity to share the skills and behaviours they are looking for, while learners gain a better understanding of the sector, the workplace and the career opportunities available to them.
Freeport East and Road to Logistics are encouraging more employers to engage with the programme by offering interviews or employment opportunities, sharing suitable vacancies, engaging with learners during their training or providing insight into their workplaces.
Recruitment challenges in HGV driving and warehousing can make it difficult for businesses to access the skilled workforce they need, potentially increasing operating costs and constraining growth. By supporting people who are currently out of work into logistics careers, the programme aims to help address these skills gaps while ensuring local communities benefit from the region’s economic growth.
Steve Beel, CEO at Freeport East, said: “Economic growth has to be about more than investment and new development. It must create opportunities that people and communities can access and benefit from.
“Our partnership with Road to Logistics is a strong example of that approach in action. It will connect people in Tendring with practical, industry-focused training leading to real jobs, while helping our logistics and warehousing employers to develop the workforce they need in a critical part of our economy.”
Jennifer Swain, Managing Director at Road to Logistics, commented: “The first Freeport East pilot demonstrated exactly what can be achieved when funding, specialist support and genuine employment opportunities come together. Eight learners successfully achieved their HGV C+E licences and progressed into employment, with every learner having faced some form of barrier to accessing work.
“This new funding will enable us to build on that success and support more than 30 local people towards employment through HGV Cat C and C+E training, as well as warehousing and forklift truck pathways. We are extremely grateful to Freeport East for continuing to invest in this work and allowing us to do what we do best – remove barriers, create opportunities and support people into lasting employment.”
Employers interested in finding out more about the programme or discussing their workforce needs can contact Road to Logistics at jennifer.swain@roadtologistics.org.
