Trouble recruiting? – We’re working hard to help!

Recruiting staff remains a persistent challenge for the warehousing sector. At the UK Warehousing Association’s (UKWA) 2025 Annual Conference, a snap poll revealed that over 80 percent of members struggled to fill advertised roles in the past year. Despite this, only one in six employers has used a Jobcentre for recruitment, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

This statistic was highlighted by Alison McGovern MP, Minister for Employment, at a UKWA roundtable in Manchester, hosted by our longstanding member company, Kammac. The event provided Kammac and other members with an opportunity to engage directly with the Minister, as well as senior DWP officials, to discuss recruitment challenges and explore available support. The Minister also quoted figures from the Office for National Statistics showing a rise in the number of young people in the UK, aged 16 to 24, who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), now approaching one million.

DWP is committed to improving its services for employers. Jobcentre Plus offers an Employer Services Line and an online portal to help businesses find candidates, accessing pre-employment training, work trials, and sector-specific support. Employers can learn more about valuable initiatives like the Disability Confident Scheme and sometimes even secure local funding or get help drafting their job descriptions.

One key programme, the Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP), provides a six-week plan tailored to industry needs. It includes pre-employment training, a short work placement, and a guaranteed interview for every candidate who completes the programme. Although SWAPs are government-funded, they do still require employers to invest time and effort in training and supervision.

At the roundtable, UKWA members shared insights on alternative recruitment strategies. Global logistics provider GXO discussed its success in hiring ex-offenders, highlighting their strong work ethic and the positive community impact achieved. UKWA partners with the charity Tempus Novo to support businesses in recruiting ex-offenders, including those still serving part of their sentence in open prisons.

Other inclusive employment schemes, such as WorkFit, a programme by the Down’s Syndrome Association, have been successfully adopted by UKWA members too. These programmes provide training for both employers and job seekers, ensuring a supportive transition into the workforce.

At the roundtable, UKWA praised Generation Logistics, a government-backed initiative aimed at attracting young talent to the sector. Recent efforts have included student and graduate visits to member warehouses, where they explored automation technologies and career opportunities.

Additionally, UKWA’s accredited Warehouse Manager CPC serves as a vital tool in recruitment, offering a clear pathway to professional development. Career prospects are an essential factor in attracting young professionals.

The roundtable demonstrated UKWA’s important role in advocating for our members, facilitating dialogue between industry and government, and providing practical solutions to tackle workforce shortages. By sharing best practice, leveraging the available resources and broadening their recruitment strategies, warehousing businesses can strengthen their talent pipelines and future-proof the sector.

Clare Bottle

UKWA, CEOThe post Trouble recruiting? – We’re working hard to help! first appeared on Warehouse & Logistics News.