The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has highlighted the "great interactive session" that took place at the body's latest Skills Summit, which focused on how the logistics sector can improve its image and attract new blood in the years ahead.

Held in Coventry on March 17th, the event was attended by more than 500 delegates and representatives for businesses across the full gamut of UK logistics.

It saw the important issue of driver shortages and a lack of new entrants into the industry as one of the main topics of discussion on the day and the response from all those there was encouraging, to say the least.

FTA deputy chief executive James Hookham stated: "Today's Summit has built on the success of last year's event and really focused on the barriers and issues that are preventing our industry from effectively recruiting and retaining staff."

He added that the summit was aptly timed – taking place during National Apprenticeship Week in the UK – as the importance of companies creating new and attractive apprenticeship programmes was one of the key messages to come out of the day's talks.

However, a number of key issues raised throughout the sessions included the Apprenticeship Levy, a need to better engage with young people and women, and the impact of the Calais migrant crisis on the image of the sector overall.

The FTA therefore now believes that members of the industry and the government must come together to address these concerns, as delivering a stronger and more resilient logistics sector is in the best interests of not only businesses operating in the field, but for the UK as a whole.