Introduction
Our Industry guides give you the lowdown on what the Bradford District has to offer. They're here to help you figure out what qualifications and training opportunities are available nearby and to give you the scoop on career options in specific industries.
If you're not sure about what careers are out there, these guides are perfect for exploring and getting to know each sector better. They're your go-to for understanding the different paths you can take into a career, whether it's through Apprenticeships, Traineeships, starting out early in your career, going to college or university, or learning on the job.
In Bradford District, there are 15 industry sectors to explore - you can find them all on the Career Options page. Each guide will tell you specific ways to plan for an occupation, as well as suggesting educational and vocational opportunities.
Build a Career in Transport, Distribution & Logistics
Transport, Distribution
& Logistic sectors support the way we live our lives today and conduct our business. It underpins our daily life and economy. It is a fast changing industry with a clear focus on climate change and reducing CO2 emissions. This sector includes working in:
- Road
- Air
- Water
- Rail
- Vehicle Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Transport Planning
- Supply Chain
- Traffic Management
If you like to drive change, enjoy working locally, regionally or even globaly in a diverse range of roles and opportunities then working in Transport, Distribution & Logistics is the right career choice for you. The sector includes careers in storage of goods, warehousing, moving materials such as gas and oil through pipeline. In this industry you might be required to operate or repair equipment, design transportation systems, organising the storage of products and plan how to move materials.
UK government is fully committed to investing in this industry with post-brexit plans and transformational projects like the A14 and HS2 with a new north-west runway at Heathrow Airport.
Department for Transport in 2018 confirmed 808 billion passengers travelled in Great Britian using various mode of transport which confirms this is a growing industry creating plenty of jobs and opporutnities for young people.
There are increasing demands in the following industries:
Expect Distribution
Melrose Interiors
About - Melrose Interiors Bradford uk manufacturer of rugs and flooring products
GXO Logistics
Logistics - GXO | Supply Chain Management | 3PL Contract Logistics
Network Rail
Network Rail – we run, look after and improve Britain's railway
Northern
Careers | Jobs & Vacancies | Northern (northernrailway.co.uk)
Arriva
Qualification Information
Some of the skills and knowledge you will gain from your GCSE studies will be particularly useful to a career in Transport, Distribution and Logistics. We can't list every one, but some examples are below:
English Language
- Reading comprehension
- Speaking and listening skills
- Critical thinking
- Analytical skills
- Digital literacy
English Literature
- Communication skills
- Problem solving and adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Ethical considerations
Maths
- Time and distance calculations
- Financial mathematics
- Statistics and probability
Science
- Scientific method and data analysis
- Technological integration
- Innovative solutions and future technologies
Construction and the Built Environment
- Infrastructure development
- Sustainability and environmental impact
- Technical skills and practical applications
- Innovation and future trends
Engineering
- Material science and properties
- Project based learning
- Communication and teamwork
- Safety and risk management
Geography
- Transport and urban planning
- Environmental challenges and resilience
- Transport and communication networks
Design and Technology
- Sustainable design
- Ethical and social considerations
- Project management and systems thinking
Vehicle Technology
- Basic vehicle maintenance and repairs
- Career and technical development
PSHE
- Health and well-being
- Digital literacy and technology
Citizenship
- Community and civic engagement
- Legal and regulatory frameworks
Courses in Transport, Distribution & Logistics
There are several different courses available which will help you to get a job in Transport, Distribution and Logistics, examples of those currently available locally are below:
Facility & Mobile Equipment Maintenance:
- Motor Vehicle Skills Entry Level 3 Bradford College
- Vehicle Maintenance Level 1 Keighley College
- Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles Level 3 Bradford College
Legal Services:
Foreign Service:
National Security Planning:
15 Career Choices in Transport, Distribution & Logistics
The below jobs are an example of what work can be found in this sector in the Bradford District and beyond. Click on the job title for more information:
- Air Accident Investigator - search for the causes of accidents and serious incidents, involving civilian aircraft
- Air Traffic Controller - give information and advice to airline pilots to help them take off and land safely and on time
- Airline Customer Service Agents - make sure passengers and their luggage safely board the right aircraft at the right time
- Airline Pilot - fly passengers and cargo to destinations around the world
- Airport Baggage Handler - load and unload luggage and cargo from aircraft
- Airport Information Assistant - help passengers in airports
- Ambulance Care Assistant - take patients to and from hospital for appointments
- Bus or Coach Driver - transport passengers on local, national or overseas journeys
- Cabin Crew - help make sure that airline passengers have a comfortable, safe and pleasant flight
- Community Transport Driver - provide a door-to-door service for people who can’t easily use public transport
- Delivery Van Driver - collect a wide range of items and deliver them to customers
- Train Driver - operate trains on the rail network, carrying passengers and freight around the country
- Transport Planner - manage roads, rail and air transport networks at local, regional and national level
- Courier - collects packages, documents and messages, and deliver them to customers
- HGV Driver - Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) lorry drivers transport and deliver goods between suppliers and customers
Useful Resources
Find below some useful websites giving information about working in this sector.
Become Lorry or Bus Driver
https://www.gov.uk/become-lorry-bus-driver
Logistics UK
https://logistics.org.uk/training
Working in Transport
https://www.rha.uk.net/oil-gas/working-in-transport
Network Rail
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/
Transport for London
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/
The Train Drivers Academy
https://thetraindriveracademy.com/
Rail Delivery Group
https://www.raildeliverygroup.com/uk-rail-industry/passenger-freight-track.html#tocs
Institute of Couriers
https://instituteofcouriers.com/
Amazon Flex Careers
Amazon Flex Jobs | Jobrapido.com
Careers | Jobs & Vacancies | Northern (northernrailway.co.uk) Northern Careers (Rail)
Digital Badges
Digital badges are a great way to gain recognition for skills and learning which doesn't have a qualification attached to it. If you are a learner aged 13+ please sign up to our Navigatr platform to access the digital badges we offer.
This is quick, easy and free to do. Follow the link below to create your own Navigator account and earn your first digital badge by reading the information and completing quiz at the bottom of the page:
https://www.navigatr.org/what-are-digital-badges-2
To see some of the badges available for Bradford District click on the link below for more information:
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics sector plays an essential role in the UK economy, thus remaining a high demand for skilled and experienced workers. The careers are varied, and this sector operates 24/7, which means many positions require shift work, and the requirement to work evenings and weekends. Depending on the role, an element of travel may be required locally, nationally and internationally. This industry relies increasingly on data and analytics, problem solving and creativity. Many businesses are looking at ways to automate and be innovate to keep up with customer demands.
I would like to find out more about…
The facility and mobile equipment maintenance pathway includes occupations related to the maintenance, repair, and servicing of vehicles and transportation facilities, as well as the refuelling of mobile equipment. Includes workers involved in developing more efficient, safe, and cost-effective ways to operate or maintain equipment.
The work of environmental health and safety professionals is vital to protecting the planet, the public and employees in many industries. A carbon monoxide leak exposes workers to harmful toxins. An oil spill harms birds and fish. An equipment malfunction at a coal plant causes an explosion that sets off a massive wildfire, destroying acres of forest habitat. Environmental health and safety careers can prevent avoidable events like these. Also, assessing and managing risks associated with safety and environmental issues. Especially with climate change it is even more important to plan, research and carry out activities to make environment safer and cleaner.
Across international organisations, governments, industries, and services we find supply chains of systems, people, resources, and information that are all vital in keeping the world moving. Delivering products and services at the right time, right place, right cost, and at the right quantity and quality is at the heart of logistics and supply chain management and in the retail sector, perfect order deliveries, customer responsiveness and cost efficiency are key competitive priorities. Every retail organisation has a supply chain, so this is an area where there are multiple opportunities for employment.
All industries require sales and service roles. In transport there are a variety of exciting roles that you can take. From customer service assistant to regional manager. If you have a passion for ensuring customers have a great service whether that be the safe transportation of people or goods, then this could be a pathway for you.
The transportation operations pathway includes workers who drive or pilot the vehicles that transport people or freight to ensure that passengers or cargo are transported safely and on time. From baggage handling, air traffic control to bus driver there are a variety of roles you could pursue in this pathway.
The transportation systems/infrastructure planning, management and regulation pathway includes Occupations related to all aspects of the design and operation of public transportation systems — road, air, sea and rail.
Warehouse Operations Management requires a systematic and process driven approach to maintain order and efficiency within a warehouse or distribution centre. Well-designed operational processes can improve profitability and reduce waste. Roles in this pathway include warehouse operatives, clerks, and forklift drivers.