The research will identify training across both the private and public sectors and profile the different categories of logistics drivers. It will also identify workforce diversity in terms of ethnicity, gender and age, look at barriers to recruitment and retention of a more diverse workforce and identify ways to make industry more appealing to potential workforce.

Based on the results of the research, Skills for Logistics will prepare a series of recommendations to assist industry employers with their recruitment and retention strategies.

According to the Office of National Statistics Labour Market Intelligence, only 0.4% of LGV drivers (driving trucks above 7.5 tonnes) are female, 1.6% are from ethnic minority groups and 3.1% are under 25 - the industry does not reflect the true demographics of the UK and more needs to be done to encourage these groups to consider a career in logistics.