TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE • Further to your recent article
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on recruitment (CM, 26 November-2 December I was somewhat surprised at some of the comments made by some senior people in the industry. For many years distribution tended to be a Cindrella in terms of recognition of the specific breadth of skills necessary to manage the function effectively.
As industries recognise the real benefits of professional logistics management, its status has properly been enhanced and this, I would suggest, is a good thing for the distribution industry itself.
The achievement of salaries and status can only serve to attract individuals into the sector of a calibre necessary to fully exploit the potential advantages, whether own account or third party.
To cry 'foul' when somebody else stops training your next generation of managers for you is a strange reaction indeed. The labour market is as competitive as the transport market and competing for managers is surely very similar to competing for business itself. One has to sow seeds, even in times of recession, and consider contributing to the industry while creating an environment in which talent can grow and be retained.
In the long run this is no more than a natural market adjustment and to a greater extent individual protestations no more than a measure of individual failures. A more positive approach is needed and the companies adapting far-sighted policies in this area will persist and succeed.
C R Astbury Rugby, Warwicks.