Job market information
Finding out about road haulage
The road haulage industry is part of the logistics sector, represented by the Skills for Logistics Sector Skills Council, which also includes: air freight; wholesaling; storage and warehousing; freight forwarding; 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.
Road haulage is the distribution, movement and supply of goods by road. Road haulage, which includes removal services, is the third largest industry in the logistics sector. The amount of freight that was moved in the UK increased by 46% between 1980 and 2007. The majority of the increase is due to goods being moved by road.
Key facts:
- 13% of the logistics sector workforce is within freight transport by road.
- Road haulage now accounts for 68% of all goods moved compared with 53% in 1980.
- A total of 220,000 people are employed in UK road haulage in the UK, which is estimated to be 13% of the entire logistics sector workforce.
- There are 34,000 road haulage workplaces in the UK.
- Freight transport by road employs the smallest proportion of women and people with a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background than other logistics industries.
- 12% of the industry workforce is self‐employed.
Jobs in the industry range from: LGV driver, LGV training instructor, distribution manager, removals worker, road transport manager, van driver, transport planner, transport scheduler, road haulage load planner, drivers mate, supply chain manager, operations manager, yard person, training manager, marketing co‐ordinator, operations director, freight account manager, financial planning manager, general manager.
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. 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.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
220,000 |
| Number of UK workplaces: |
34,000 |
| Gender (in England): |
89% male |
11% female |
| Age: |
7% of workforce is 16‐24 years |
|---|
| 15% 25‐34 years |
| 28% 35‐44 years |
| 27% 45‐54 years |
| 22% is over 45 years |
| 3% of the English workforce is from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background. |
| 12% of workers are self-employed in the road haulage industry in England. |
| 9% of road haulage employees in England work part‐time. |
[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
In 2007, 18% of road haulage companies in England had at least one vacancy and 13% of firms had skills gaps. The main causes of the skills gaps were lack of experience or the fact that candidates had been recently recruited and had not ‘got to grips’ with their job role.
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 anticipated 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 |
|---|
| Large (heavy) goods vehicle drivers |
312,900 |
|---|
| Post workers, mail sorter, messenger or couriers |
200,800 |
|---|
| Van drivers |
202,200 |
|---|
| Transport and distribution managers |
85,200 |
|---|
| Storage and warehouse managers |
75,100 |
|---|
| Transport and distribution clerks |
67,500 |
|---|
| Other occupations |
1,001,500 |
|---|
[N.B. Data derived from Annual Population Survey, 2008.]
National and regional data
East Midlands – Of the 156,600 employees working in logistics businesses in the East Midlands, 20,600 work in road haulage. This equates to 13% of the logistics workforce in the East Midlands.
East of England – Of the 186,700 employees working in logistics businesses in the East of England, 28,100 of these individuals work in road haulage. This is 15% of the logistics workforce in the region.
London – Of the 178,800 employees working in logistics businesses in London, 8,900 work in road haulage. This accounts for 5% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North East – Of the 55,000 people employed in logistics businesses in the region, 9,900 people are employed in road haulage. This is 18% of the logistics workforce in the region.
North West – Of the 193,400 people working in logistics businesses in the North West, 31,300 people are employed in road haulage. This accounts for 16% of the logistics workforce in the region.
South East – Of the 256,300 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, the road haulage industry employs 21,800 employees. This equates to 8% of the logistics workforce in the region.
South West – Of the 135,100 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, 15,700 work in road haulage. This accounts for 12% of the logistics workforce in the region.
West Midlands – Of the 187,500 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, 26,100 work in road haulage. This accounts for 14% of the logistics workforce in the region.
Yorkshire and the Humber – Of the 158,100 employees working in logistics businesses in the region, 23,300 work in road haulage. This accounts for 15% 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:
- LGV Driver –£14,700 up to £30,000
- LGV Training Instructor – new theory training instructors in the logistics industry are likely to earn around £15,500. LGV training instructors qualified to prepare candidates for practical tests may earn around £20,000 a year, rising to £30,000 or more with experience.
- Distribution Manager – £19,000 up to £39,000
- Removals Worker – £11,000 and £20,000 or more a year, depending on experience and responsibilities. They may receive extra shift allowances for unsocial hours
- Road Transport Manager – starting £19,000 to £24,000, rising to between £25,000 and £35,000 with experience. Senior managers can earn over £45,000 a year.
- Van Driver – £11,000 up to £22,500
- Transport Planner – newly qualified graduate transport planners earn around £20,000. Postgraduate entrants could expect up to £23,000. Experienced planners could earn between £25,000 and £50,000.
- Transport Scheduler – £15,000 to £35,000
- Road Haulage Load Planner – starting salaries can be between £14,500 and £18,500 a year. This can rise to between £20,000 and £25,000 for senior positions.
- Drivers Mate – £8,000 to £24,000
- Supply Chain Manager – starting salaries for graduates are from £18,000 to £22,000. Experienced managers can earn between £25,000 and £40,000 a year. Senior supply chain managers can earn up to £60,000.
- Yard Person – £11,000 to £16,000. Operatives with forklift or delivery duties could earn between £15,000 and £18,000. Yard supervisors can earn up to £20,000 a year.
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Skills for Logistics AACS LMI report (Jun 2010)
