Centre for logistics and offer chain training set for Lutterworth
The logistics and supply chain sector is placed to benefit from a dedicated training and research facility that's been developed through a partnership between industry and education based in the centre of the ‘Golden Triangle’ at GLP’s Magna Park development in Lutterworth.
The Centre for Logistics Education and Research (CLEAR) is planning to help the sector address key challenges because the UK moves towards economic recovery and renewed growth following a coronavirus pandemic.
North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) is employed in collaboration with Aston University, Wincanton, supply chain partner, and investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, GLP to supply skills training and professional development whatsoever levels across the spectrum of logistics and supply chain roles, to enable the sector to become increasingly agile, flexible and resilient.
CLEAR is due to launch in the summer of 2021 and will initially be based at Bittesby House within the Magna Park Northern extension within the broader Magna Park Lutterworth development, eventually moving to some bespoke, state of the art facility.
Professor Edward Sweeney from Aston University said: “Operating inside a highly competitive environment using the challenges of harnessing new technology and ‘big data’ across businesses of all sizes in a changing political and environmental context requires a highly skilled and professional workforce. The aim is that working closely with industry, CLEAR is going to be ideally positioned to address its needs and provide skills training and development opportunities that are tailor-made for the sector.”
NWSLC’s Principal and Chief Executive, Marion Plant, said: “Our ambitions for CLEAR are based on offering a holistic one-stop-shop training service both from its base at Magna Park as well as remotely online, enabling an adaptable skills pathway tailored to meet the needs of specific businesses and providing individuals with well-defined opportunities to progress their careers.
“Businesses can train one or many people in their team with flexible start dates and bespoke provision and students will be able to move seamlessly between training partners his or her development needs progress and skills gaps are identified, improving retention, and driving down costs.
“CLEAR can get training programmes up and running very quickly as it already has systems in position to fulfil training design briefs whatsoever levels. Commissioning training through CLEAR will bring shorter lead times between the identification of training needs and students starting their courses or programmes.
“Businesses can also benefit from advice on funding for apprenticeships, whether organisations spend the money for Apprenticeship Levy or not, and can find out how levy-payers can share funds to aid training across their supply chain.”
Magna Park Lutterworth, developed by GLP over the past 30 years, is currently home to over 27 blue chip businesses within 33 buildings. The Park extends to over 10 million square feet of space on the floor and will expand to 16 million sq ft over 1,350 acres via the Northern and Southern expansion project.
The first phase of provision, commencing when CLEAR opens its doors come july 1st, will provide the platform for a future national centre of excellence having a campus that will accommodate, when fully operational, up to 1,000 students in addition to providing applied research and associated facilities.
