One man details his story from side hustle to full time career, as he swapped the world of sports therapy for logistics management, which provided a platform to enhance his career earnings.
Tom Dedman, 28 years old from Oxford, is an ambassador for Generation Logistics, a campaign helping to raise awareness about careers in logistics, which is an industry that 90% of people have never considered as a career path. Tom’s journey, marked by a transition from sports therapy to logistics management, highlights the vast potential for both income and career advancement within the sector.
Originally trained as a Sports Therapist, Tom began his career working part-time with a professional football team Stevenage Town FC. Seeking additional income, he also took on a second role as a Warehouse Operative at GXO. After only one year into this position, he recognised the career prospects offered by the logistics sector and enrolled in the competitive GXO Graduate Scheme.
Through the GXO Graduate Scheme, Tom gained valuable experience across various facets of logistics, from procurement to operations management. He acquired essential certifications, including the Transport Manager CPC, ILM Level 3, and IoSH Managing Safely certification, during his transformative career journey.
When asked about advice for individuals considering a career change, Tom emphasises the importance of embracing new challenges:
“Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone” he advises. “The logistics industry offers a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional development, regardless of your background or skill set. I wasn’t aware of the many roles that were available within the sector, and I really encourage anybody who is looking for a career that offers high salaries, training and progression, and a strong work-life balance, to seriously consider the logistics sector.”
Tom isn’t alone when it comes to not being aware of the opportunities logistics can offer, as over 90% of the UK has never considered this as a career path¹. Generation Logistics is aiming to change this.
Bethany Windsor, Programme Director at Generation Logistics, commented:
“As Tom continues to excel in his role, he serves as a role model for others considering career transitions. His story highlights the importance of embracing change and seizing opportunities for growth, no matter what the journey, background or skill set may be!
“The logistics sector offers such a huge range of opportunities, such as customer support, inventory management, engineering, digital tech – the list goes on! Each role carries a diverse set of responsibilities and offers a career path that supports different skills and interests. This diversity makes logistics an ideal option for those seeking a fulfilling and evolving profession.”
For those wanting to find out more about the opportunities available, take this quiz to see which role in logistics could fit with your future: www.generationlogistics.org/find-your-future/
Those who are working in education who want to shine a light on the opportunities within logistics to pupils are encouraged to visit the campaign’s Education Hub. Offering a dedicated, downloadable, resource library of KS3 to KS5 curriculum-relevant material for teachers and career advisors, the Hub provides lesson plans and student-ready tools for educators, focused on the Generation Logistics Careers Booklet, which is available to download here: www.educationhub.generationlogistics.org
