Warehousing firms across the country are embracing SWAPs, an initiative that delivers a quick, effective and free solution to the sector’s staffing crisis.
With demand for supply chain services soaring, this TRS short “train & recruit” programme is helping businesses meet their increased need for qualified warehouse operators. Employers with vacancies can use the free initiative to recruit skilled warehouse staff with forklift truck licences. One such company is logistics giant Kammac. They are boosting their workforce through a Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP), thanks to a partnership with TRS.
Results for jobseekers too
Meanwhile, job seekers find that SWAPs provide a fast-track route into supply chain careers. Sean Buoey secured a permanent job with Kammac thanks to this TRS programme.
Due to continued growth, Kammac had several warehouse vacancies and approached TRS, a SWAPs provider. TRS recruited Sean and other candidates onto a pre-employment training programme featuring warehouse skills, health and safety training, and forklift truck licence acquisition. With this initiative, the only commitment employers have to make is to offer interviews to successful candidates, with no obligation to make job offers. In Sean’s case, Kammac were pleased to be able to offer him a permanent job.
Sean says: “Over three weeks, I learned all the health and safety regulations in warehousing and how to drive a counterbalance truck.”
SWAPS enable progression
Now working at Kammac’s Wavertree depot, Sean added: “The course was pivotal in gaining my job. TRS played a significant role in the process, particularly in helping me gain my counter-balance licence. This is the first step towards my progression within the industry.”
Sean’s new employer, Kammac, is a flexible and reliable 3PL (Third Party Logistics) recently acquired by global logistics company, Elanders Group. It provides nationwide supply chain management solutions to a wide range of companies operating from both their own and client sites, looking after up to 15,000 pallets across 170,000 square feet at the Wavertree depot where Sean is based. Across the UK, the firm has 17 depots, now with extensive partner sites. This means great career prospects for anybody beginning a warehousing career with the firm.
Low-risk, zero-investment to grow a workforce
Natalia Fowler, Talent Acquisition Partner at Kammac says:
“With the warehousing industry facing a chronic shortage of competent staff, and struggling to find applicants for roles, the SWAP initiative is a low-risk, zero-investment means to grow a workforce. We only needed to guarantee to interview each candidate who completed the training. TRS did the rest, including sourcing the candidates and delivering the on-site training. We are delighted with the results we have seen so far, with qualified recruits like Sean now on board to help us meet our customers’ requirements.”
