Tunbridge Wells, UK: The UK’s leading women in transport and logistics are being encouraged to enter the 2014 FTA Everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards that launch today.
The scheme, in its seventh year, uncovers role models and spotlight those women enjoying career success in the industry whether they are team leaders, stars of the future or are challenging stereotypes as drivers in transport or warehouse managers.
The total number of jobs in the UK logistics sector is projected to grow by 95,000 between 2010 and 2020, with a replacement demand of 553,000, according to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. This demand will not be met if only half the population would consider a career in it.
Too many women have a preconceived idea of what the industry could offer, or see the sector as off-limits. And far too many young women and girls would never even consider it as a career choice. The FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards, championed by many of the industry’s leading employers including Asda, DHL and TNT seek to reverse this notion.
The categories for 2014 are:
Rising Star of the Year Award
This will be awarded to the woman aged under 30 who has excelled in her career, making a valuable contribution to her organisation. This award is open to all women working across the industry.
Driver of the Year Award – sponsored by TNT
This will be awarded to the woman who is excelling in her role as a driver (this could include but is not limited to HGV, van or motorcycle and can include passenger transport).
Director of the Year Award – sponsored by Asda Stores
This will be awarded to the female director who is excelling in her role. This award is open to female directors across all sectors and areas of the industry.
The Warehousing Award – sponsored by DHL Supply Chain
This will be awarded to the woman that is excelling in her role within a warehousing environment.
Industry Champion Award
This will be awarded to the woman who is an active champion for the industry, playing a vital role in attracting and retaining women in transport & logistics.
Innovation & Sustainability Award – sponsored by DHL Supply Chain
This will be awarded to a woman who has already or is implementing an Innovative Operational Solution, including technologies and processes that are changing the industry in a positive way.
Team Leader of the Year Award
This will be awarded to the woman who is leading a team to excel in a way that contributes greatly to the company’s success.
Maxine Benson, co-founder of everywoman, says: “Our research has identified that the majority of women in the industry fall into their job, rather than proactively pursue it. But once in, it is an industry they don’t want to leave as it offers exceptional opportunities for training, promotion and immense job satisfaction.
“However we can’t simply leave it to chance that these talented individuals end up in the industry. In order to plug the current skills-gap, it is essential that more women are attracted into logistics in the first place and realise it is a career path where they can prosper.
“That is why we are calling for transport and logistics’ passionate, driven women to enter these Awards, to show others it is a sector that offers the chance to develop desirable and transferable skills and where they can fulfil their ambitions. We need more women to be industry ambassadors and role models, that’s what this programme is all about”.
Theo de Pencier, chief executive, FTA says, “FTA is delighted to encourage forward thinking companies that are in turn committed to encouraging diversity in the freight industry. The FTA everywoman in Transport and Logistics Awards celebrate women working within the transport and logistics industry who are enjoying success and will ultimately inspire others to join the sector, and FTA is once again proud to be the title partner of the Awards.
“The key for the freight and transport industry is to be able to access a wider talent pool to be able to meet its need for good quality staff in whichever role it needs to fill. We have to reach out to all parts of the community and, in particular, to women, to recruit and retain the best and to enable all of our organisations and businesses to flourish.”
The winners will be unveiled at a ceremony on 13 May 2014 at the Savoy hotel.
About everywoman
Founded in September 1999, everywoman supports any woman at any stage in their career. Our clients range from companies who want to develop and retain a pipeline of female leaders, through to individual women, who believe challenge and change are essential to their future success. For those women starting out or looking to progress their careers or businesses, the everywomanNetwork provides personal development resources, connections, advice and inspiration to address the issues we know women face. As they progress, our events and leadership programmes support the development of confident, capable and charismatic leaders. Promotion to the top echelons of senior management or being at the helm of your own large business brings with it a different set of challenges, ones addressed by everywomanClub. Our Award programmes and projects such as The Navigator and Modern Muse showcase role models who inform and inspire future leaders and the next generation, positioning the organisations they work for as ones with career opportunities for women.