Q After reading the Editorial in CM
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December 11 1970 I agree that the road transport industry is shortsighted with its recruitment of future potential managers. As my father owns a haulage business I am conversant with the latest regulations of the industry, and my aim has always been to attain a post in transport management.
At present am a student aged 18, holding five GCE "0" levels, and! am studying for "Alevels in economics, sociology and economic history which I intend taking in June 1971.
In an age in which the transporting of goods quickly and cheaply both internally and abroad is becoming increasingly important, will there be a shortage of potential managers in the Seventies due to the apathetic attitude of the road transport industry as a whole towards students like myseff who wish to progress within the industry?
After my 'A" levels the most direct path I can pursue to enter the industry is to taken Higher National Diploma in Business Studies specializing in Road Transport and Distribution at any one of seven Colleges of Further Education throughout the country. This is a three-year sandwich course and the award of the diploma gives exemption from all the graduateship examinations of the Institute of Transport and from all but three of the associate membership examinations.
However, personally I would prefer to enter the industry with "A" levels and ascend to eventual managership internally, in which way one would become experienced in all aspects of the industry.
Could you please enlighten me further on the best steps to take towards my goal?
Ait seems certain that there will be a shortage of good management in the industry n the Seventies. There are plenty of managers about but relatively few of the -old school" of practical men would claim to know very much of modern management techniques. While transport will always remain a practical industry the people running it should be able to look beyond the practi
calities at the more far-reaching economic aspects of what both they themselves and the industry in general are doing.
There are very few road haulage firms willing to encourage, let alone employ, youngsters with management ambitions and you will have seen letters in the trade Press from "disillusioned" young men who have left the industry because they feel this lack of encouragement and future prospects.
Our advice is to go as far as you possibly can with your education before entering the industry. These days the wider experience you have of economic and financial factors in business the better, and you will acquire this more rapidly as a student than you would in the throes of an exacting job.