The UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) has teamed up with the Royal Academy of Engineering and Generation Logistics to promote warehousing as an exciting career option for talented young engineers.

The rise of automation is continuing to drive changes in the workforce requirements for the warehousing sector. Specifically, there is a growing demand for more technical skills and expertise.

Despite this, a career in warehousing is often not on the radar of young engineers, according to UKWA CEO Clare Bottle, yet tools like cobots and exoskeletons are likely to appeal most to those individuals who are tech-savvy and relish a futuristic working environment.

Accordingly, UKWA is working with GEEP – the award-winning Graduate Engineering Engagement Programme run by the Royal Academy of Engineering - which partners with engineering employers to increase the transition of engineering graduates from under-represented backgrounds into engineering employment, to close this gap.

Alongside GEEP and Generation Logistics, UKWA is facilitating a series of visits by UK students and recent graduates to member warehouses at the forefront of technical innovation, who are best placed to showcase automation, robotics and other technologies.

The campaign runs from January to March 2025, with the first of the visits hosted by Jungheinrich. Other hosts have included Amazon, DP World, Dexory, GXO, John Lewis Partnership and Wincanton.

Commenting on the initiative, Clare Bottle said, “Attracting young engineering talent into warehousing is vital. Amazon, for example, is always looking for the next generation of software development engineers to help invent and use technology to continue to deliver on their uncompromising commitment to customer service."

"As the leading trade organisation for the sector, it is important that the UKWA helps address this need, advocating careers in warehousing to talented young people and ensuring that they fully appreciate the many existing and emerging opportunities on offer.”

Visiting students agreed that seeing warehouse operations at first hand was a valuable experience, providing practical insights and enhancing their learning experience.

“Overall, it was an impactful, informative and insightful experience, especially for students with no background in procurement, logistics or supply chain management,” student Esther Tibila remarked.

From the host warehouse perspective, HR Partner at DP World Seema Mistry reported, “There were excellent questions and enthusiasm from students regarding the world of logistics.”

Clare concluded, “The benefit to engineering students is clear, but UKWA members and the wider sector will benefit from this campaign too."

"We are promoting the industry – and UKWA members - to potential engineering recruits, and supply chain and logistics students via Generation Logistics, putting warehousing firmly front of mind for young people looking for fulfilling graduate career opportunities and inspiring the top engineers of the future to join our sector.”