PD Ports is celebrating award success for its work, in partnership with Stockton Riverside College, to help encourage more young people to consider a future career in logistics.

The port, shipping and logistics company won the People Development Award in the International Bulk Journal (IBJ) Awards for its ongoing commitment to the Logistics Academy.

Established in 2015 as a joint initiative between Stockton Riverside College, PD Ports, NETA Training, Think Logistics, national charity Career Ready and local employers, the Logistics Academy aims to help engage potential talent.



Launching with a cohort of 14 students from Stockton Riverside College, SRC Bede Sixth Form and NETA, the learners have taken part in a series of master classes, enjoyed site visits to businesses such as Clipper Logistics, AV Dawson and KP Snacks.

Each student was also partnered with a mentor to help develop their knowledge and skills.

Nationally the logistics sector needs to recruit approximately 1.2 million new workers by 2022, a target which will prove difficult to achieve if the struggle to recruit school leavers in to the industry continues.



Russ McCallion, PD Ports’ HR Director, said: “Winning this award reflects our ongoing efforts and commitment to help bridge the skills gap within the logistics sector. This initiative gives local young people the chance to understand the careers available in logistics and improves the perception of the sector in the eyes of the younger generation.

“Following the success of the first year we will continue to work closely with all of the partners involved to ensure the initiative and the opportunities it creates deliver real value for both the young people and the logistics sector for years to come.”