Career opportunities in the maritime and logistics sector

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A guide to employment
Freight and logistics is a huge
global sector and is one of the
largest employers in Great Britain.
Your media player to doesn't just
arrive in your local shop ready for
you to buy, it will have gone on a
massive journey, changed hands
seven or eight times and may have
travelled up to 15,000 miles.
This just does not happen on its
own! There is a dedicated and
qualified worldwide workforce
that ensures that everything you
want arrives on time, in one piece
and on the shelves waiting for you
to pick it up.
The maritime sector of Merseyside
alone employs over 26,000 people
and has an annual turnover of
£2.5 billion. With proposed plans
which include a Post Panamax
terminal in Seaforth, both
employment and turnover is set to
expand over the coming years.
Existing and new businesses are
looking to recruit young,
enthusiastic individuals all the
time. Whether you are looking to
go to university, complete A-levels
or your GCSEs, there could be a
role that fits your skills set and
you could become a part of this
dynamic, ever changing sector.
These are just a handful of jobs within the freight and logistics
sector. If would like to see what other jobs/careers there are please
visit www.deliveringyourfuture.co.uk for more details.
For more information please visit
www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk
www.connexions-direct.com or
www.tips4jobs.co.uk
Contact details
The LTP Support Unit
24 Hatton Garden
Liverpool, Merseyside
The Merseyside Transport Partnership
Phone: 0151 330 1587
Fax: 0151 330 1190
Email:
info@TransportMerseyside.org
www.lcrfreightpartnership.org
In association with
Career opportunities
in the maritime and
logistics sector
Why not have a read over and see if there is a career for you!!

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Administrative Assistant
The role is to deal with the day-to-day office
work for your employer, including directing
calls, reception duties and managing diaries.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need
good communication skills, being able to
prioritise, work to deadlines and have good
ICT skills..
Deck Officer
Deck Officers work on board container
vessels and tankers to help manage
navigation, communications, the crew and
the cargo. A deck officer needs enthusiasm
with good communication and teamwork
abilities. A calmness under pressure helps.
Engineer/Marine Engineer
Workshop based role, working on ships that
need building, maintenance or repair, usually on
engines, transmission or electrical systems and
propellers. You’ll need excellent problem
solving, team working and project management
skills. Maths and ICT skills are key.
Engineering Officer
Engineering officers operate and maintain
machinery and systems on ships, working
on engines, navigation/communications
equipment and cranes. Officers need
team working abilities as well as
communication, problem solving and
strong leadership qualities.
Fleet Management/Schedulers
Schedulers plan routes for vehicles so
deliveries can be made efficiently. They also
prepare timetables and adhere to health
and safety procedures. This job requires
organisational skills, being able to think on
your feet and pick out key trends in
information.
IT Support Technician
Technicians help find and correct software
and hardware problems for computer
users. This includes maintenance checks
and installing new equipment. You will
need excellent problem solving
capabilities, be able to work under
pressure and be technically minded.
Minimum
requirements
Entry level to
Diploma in
administration
Starting salary:
£12,000 to £18,000
per year, this would
increase with career
progression.
Minimum
requirements
16 years of age with
four A-C GCSEs;
sponsorship for
training by shipping
companies is also an
option.
Starting salary:
Trainees start on
£10,000 a year.
Experienced deck
officers earn up to
£40,000 a year.
Captains may earn
£70,000 a year.
Minimum
requirements
Possible NVQ/Degree
level although some
apprenticeship
schemes will look for
GCSEs.
Starting salary:
Graduate marine
engineers usually start
at £23,000 a year.
Experienced marine
engineers earn
£50,000 or more.
Minimum
requirements
Aged 18 with a
degree level
qualification.
Sponsorship
training can be
obtained through
companies
Starting salary:
Junior officers earn
up to £27,000 a
year. Experienced
officers earn up to
£50,000. Chief
engineers can earn
£60,000 a year.
Minimum
requirements
None although on
the job training
should be provided.
Starting salary:
Salaries vary from at
least £19,500 to
£45,000 a year, or
more.
Minimum
requirements
Possible entry level
if GCSEs in ICT
however, larger
companies have
graduate schemes.
Starting salary:
Salaries range from
around £13,000 to
£40,000.
Professional
Professional services include marine law,
surveying and insurance. These roles
require excellent customer service skills as
well as communication, attention to detail
and concentration skills. All are pressurised
jobs so a calmness under pressure is a
necessity.
Minimum
requirements
The majority of
companies will
look for degree
level entry.
Starting salary:
Depending on the
role, salaries up to
£27,000 a year for
a trainee. Up to
£100,000 + for
senior positions.
Director
-A Directors role is to act in the best
interests of the company and to promote
success for shareholders. A director needs
strong leadership skills and a commitment
to their job. Effective presentation skills and
strong negotiating skills are also important.
Minimum
requirements
Anyone over the
age of 16 can be a
company director
although an
appropriate degree
would be hugely
beneficial.
Starting salary:
Depending on the
size of the
company, salaries
can range from
£50,000 to
£1,500,000 plus
bonuses
Freight Forwarding
Forwarders plan the most efficient way of
transporting goods via road, rail, air and sea.
Other duties include preparing quotations /
invoices and communicating with clients and
customers. Freight forwarders need good ICT,
maths and communication skills.
Minimum
requirements
Depending on the
company, can range
from entry level to
degree level.
Starting salary:
Trainees may earn
£10,000 a year. Senior
freight forwarders
may earn up to
£30,000
Vehicle Drivers
Transport and deliver goods between
suppliers and customers, a HGV driver
would operate lorries, tankers and trailer
wagons. Drivers needs excellent
concentration skills, a good health and
safety knowledge and have an
environmental awareness when driving.
Minimum
requirements
A valid HGV
licence, otherwise
18 years of age or
over in addition to
passing a HGV test
(CPC).
Starting salary:
Salaries may range
from around
£14,000 to
£35,000 a year.
Port Operative
This role includes loading and unloading of
cargo, transferring cargoes to storage areas
using cranes and forklift trucks. This role is
predominantly outdoors so a certain level of
fitness is needed. Also hazard awareness, being
well organised and being a good team player.
Minimum
requirements
No specific entry
requirements
althoguh a medical
examination would
have to be passed at
interview stage.
Starting salary:
Start between
£11,000 and £12,000
a year on entry up to
£30,000 a year for the
most highly paid
operatives.
Warehouse Operative
The role includes handling of goods and
products that come into a warehouse,
picking and packing orders, loading goods
for dispatch and stock taking. Operatives
need to be efficient in their work, be able
to understand and complete paperwork
and memorise details.
Minimum
requirements
No specific
requirements
necessary, good
basic English, Maths
and ICT skills help.
Starting salary:
Salaries may range
from £13,500 to
£17,000 a year.