Training centre delivers first warehousing employability course

Walsall College has delivered its first ever training course in Cannock for the warehousing sector.  The three-week programme delivered with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides jobseekers with an overview of warehousing and logistics, along with employability skills support.

Trainees also receive the forklift licence in a further bid to boost their career prospects.

Three learners participating in the course shared their experiences so far:

Stephen Brown

Builder by trade, Stephen was drawn to the warehousing training course by the prospect of achieving the forklift licence.

“With it you have better access to certain jobs and a better wage,” he said.  “My previous experience of working in logistics was for the building trade.  When things came to a standstill because of a lack of supplies, I ended up being out of work.

“For me, being on this training course is a chance to take stock of my IT and writing skills.  Being dyslexic has made it hard for me to take on certain work and even get through job applications and training courses.  It’s been different on this course.  For the first time, I’ve had trainers willing to give me extra support and time to get on with our written work.

This would have been stressful for me in the past but not here.  The support has gone beyond my expectations.”

Stephen is currently working as a driver.

Kevin Brownhill

Having been out of work for 12 months, Kevin has praised his training course for providing hm with more details about the customer service and stock control aspects of warehousing and logistics.

“Being out of work during the second lockdown was disheartening for me as I’d worked all the way through the first one,” said Kevin.  “I’d actually been working as a warehousing delivery driver, but then when the company I was working for faced stock shortages, I was made redundant.  My goal since then has been to find a way back into more stable work that makes use of the skills and experience I already have, but also gives me other job options so that I’m always covered

“All in all, the course is excellent.  You’re discovering new things and are supported through the learning activities and job application process.  It gives me hope for my future prospects.”

James Wilson

James is completely new to warehousing having previously worked in construction and other manual-labour based roles.

“I’ve been out of work for 18 months,” he said.  “I’ve been trying to find a way into retail to warehousing, but of course not having the experience means there’s already a barrier in front of you.

“I think that just making the effort to be on this course makes a difference to your chances of being able to get somewhere.  Cannock is a hotspot for warehousing and has ties across the area and cross country so I do feel I can get something soon.

“I’m thinking about doing the CSCS card training offered by the college too.”

The training course is helping me discover new things about warehousing that I didn’t know, so it’s beneficial.

Find out more about the warehousing employment gateway course here.