Job market information
Finding out about freight forwarding
The freight forwarding industry is part of the logistics sector, represented by the Skills for Logistics Sector Skills Council, which also includes: air freight; road haulage; storage and warehousing; wholesaling; postal services; and couriers. Logistics is the movement and supply of all goods (or freight) from raw materials, through all stages of the manufacturing process to the delivery of the finished product to companies and consumers. This is known as the ‘supply chain.’ Nearly 2,320,000 people work in the logistics sector, which accounts to 8% of the UK workforce. It has been estimated that the logistics sector is worth £86.54 billion to the UK economy.
Freight forwarders organise the movement of goods around the UK and between countries. They use computer systems to plan the most efficient ways of transporting goods by road, rail, air and sea taking into consideration the following factors such as, the perishable or hazardous nature of the goods, cost, transit time and security. Due to the nature of the work, freight forwarders are often found working in teams consisting of clerks, warehouse staff and drivers.
Key facts:
- Freight forwarding companies employ 138,200 people across the UK, which accounts for 8% of UK logistics employment.
- There are 5,600 freight forwarding workplaces in the UK.
Jobs in the industry range from: freight forwarder, large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers, transport managers, distribution managers, van drivers, transport clerks, distribution clerks.
Entry and progression
Entry requirements and qualifications vary depending on occupational role. There are a range of industry endorsed courses (both undergraduate and postgraduate) and foundation degrees, vocational qualifications, apprenticeships and training schemes available to those wishing to enter the industry. Recognised qualifications from professional bodies, such as the British International Freight Association (BIFA) or the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport are also available. LGV and Van drivers require the relevant licences. Forklift Truck Drivers require specialist training.
The following HND or degree subjects are likely to be an advantage: transport and distribution management; logistics; supply chain management; business and management; and foreign languages with business studies.
With training and experience, freight forwarders can be promoted to supervisory or managerial roles. Individuals can also specialise in dealing with particular products or countries. In larger firms, opportunities to work overseas are becoming more frequent. It is also possible to move into more general sales or marketing roles.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
138,200 |
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| Number of UK employers: |
5,600 |
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[N.B. The following data are for the logistics sector as a whole.]
| Gender: |
74% male |
26% female |
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| Ethnicity: |
9% of the workforce is from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background. |
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| Age: |
11% of workforce is 16-24 years. |
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| 48% 25-44 years. |
| 41% is over 45 years. |
| Education: |
47% of the workforce have a below NVQ Level 2 qualification, 17% a Level 2 qualification and 36% above Level 2 qualification. |
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[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Working Futures III projects that 843,600 additional workers will be required to work in the logistics sector by 2017. Considerable demand will be seen for managers (169,200), customer service positions (132,100) as well as for transport and machine operatives (107,600).
There are no data on employment trends for this industry.
Skill requirements and shortages
15% of all freight forwarding businesses in England reported skill shortages. The most common skills gaps reported by freight forwarding employers are: technical, practical and job specific skills.
Occupational trends
There are no data on occupational trends by industry. The following data are for the logistics sector as a whole.
For the logistics sector as a whole, all occupational groups are expected to have an increase in the total requirements, including:
- 20% (150,000) in managerial or senior official positions
- 16% (117,000) in sales and customer services roles
- over 54,000 in skilled trades occupations, this replacement demand is due to the ageing workforce – 51% are over the age of 45 years
Logistics sector occupational distribution
| Other goods handling and storage occupations (i.e. Warehouse operatives) |
378,100 |
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| Large (heavy) goods vehicle drivers |
312,900 |
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| Post workers, mail sorter, messenger or couriers |
200,800 |
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| Van drivers |
202,200 |
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| Transport and distribution managers |
85,200 |
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| Storage and warehouse managers |
75,100 |
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| Transport and distribution clerks |
67,500 |
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| Other occupations |
1,001,500 |
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[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008.]
National and regional data
East Midlands – 156,600 employees work within the logistics sector in this region. Of these, 14,400 people work in freight forwarding, this equates to 9% of the logistics workforce in the East Midlands.
East of England – 186,700 people are employed in the logistics sector in the region, 16,400 of these individuals work in freight forwarding. This is 9% of the logistics workforce in the region.
London – 178,800 employees work in the logistics sector in London. Of these 21,300 work in freight forwarding, which accounts for 12% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North East – The logistics sector employs 55,000 workers in the North East, of these, 2,900 are employed in freight forwarding. This is 5% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North West – 193,400 workers are employed in the logistics sector in the region, of which 17,000 are employed in freight forwarding. Freight forwarding employment accounts for 9% of the logistics workforce in the region.
South East – 256,300 people work in the logistics sector in the region. The freight forwarding industry employs 19,200 employees of these people, which equates to 7% of the logistics workforce in the South East.
South West – 135,100 employees work in the logistics sector in the region, of these 7,500 work in freight forwarding. This equates to 6% of the logistics workforce in the South West.
West Midlands – The logistics sector employs 187,500 workers in the West Midlands, of these, 14,600 people are employed in freight forwarding. This is 8% of the logistics workforce in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber – 158,100 workers are employed by the logistics sector in the region, of these 12,600 work in freight forwarding. This is 8% of the logistics workforce in the region
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007 and Inter‐Departmental Business Register, 2007.]
Salary levels
Annual salaries in the industry range from:
- Freight Forwarder – starting between £12,000 and £15,000, rising to between £16,000 and £25,000 with experience. Managers could earn £30,000 to £40,000.
- Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Drivers – starting around £13,000 to £14,000, rising to between £15,000 and £30,000 with experience. Drivers of fuel and chemical tankers need special training and certification and can earn up to £35,000 a year.
- Transport Managers – £19,000 up to £39,000
- Distribution Managers – £19,000 up to £39,000
- Van Drivers – £11,000 up to £22,500
- Transport Clerks – £12,000 up to £26,500
- Distribution Clerks – £12,000 up to £26,500
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Skills for Logistics AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
