www.bifa.org


Robert Keen’s Column


BIFAlink


BIFAlink is the official magazine of the British International Freight Association Redfern House, Browells Lane, Feltham TW13 7EP Tel: 020 8844 2266 Web site: www.bifa.org E-mail: bifa@bifa.org (A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: 391973. VAT Registration: 216476363)


Director General Robert Keen r.keen@bifa.org Executive Director Robert Windsor r.windsor@bifa.org Executive Director Spencer Stevenson s.stevenson@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor Mike Jones m.jones@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor Pawel Jarza p.jarza@bifa.org Training Development Manager Carl Hobbis c.hobbis@bifa.org Editorial Co-ordinator Sharon Hammond s.hammond@bifa.org Administration Controller Jane Robinson j.robinson@bifa.org


Published by Park Lane Publishing peter@parklanepublishingltd.com Contributors Robert Keen, Robert Windsor, Mike Jones, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Pawel Jarza


Regional Consultants to BIFA Scotland and the Borders Len Hobbs: bifa.scot@gmail.com Northern Ireland Carson McMullan: carsonconluce@aol.com Midlands and the North Paul Young: youngyes@aol.com London West and the South West Colin Young: young_colin.t21@btinternet.com Anglia, London East and the South East Paul Newman: paul@pnauk.com


Please be advised that BIFA DOES NOT OFFER LEGAL ADVICE. BIFA is not a law firm and the authors of this publication are not legally qualified and do not have any legal training. The guidance and assistance set out herein are based on BIFA’s own experience with the issues concerned and should not be in any circumstances regarded or relied upon as legal advice. It is strongly recommended that anyone considering further action based on the information contained in this publication should seek the advice of a qualified professional.


March 2019


Promoting an attractive career


In this edition of BIFAlink you will find details of our initiative to engage with younger forwarders. When I first started in forwarding, out-of-work activity was common both to enhance skills and socialise. Industry socialising, especially, was common from factory social clubs to events organised by employers such as football or darts matches against local firms or even branch competitions. Times change and from three television channels in 1970 we now have 100s. Football was on Saturday at 3 pm with an occasional midweek match, and only international matches or the FA Cup final were broadcast live. Now it is possible to watch top quality football on TV nearly every night.


So, it is hardly surprising that the sort of local functions that our predecessor body (The


Institute of Freight Forwarders) used to hold fell by the wayside. With our increased engagement through the Freight Forwarder Apprenticeship, we are launching a Young Forwarders’ Network to be driven by the next generation of forwarders, with mentoring from BIFA employers and with BIFA support. See page 6 for more details. As well as promoting BIFA, it is all part of our quest to make freight forwarding an attractive career choice for younger people and provide forums for them to learn and socialise with their peers. We know we face tough competition from the myriad activities available to people outside of work, but we believe we can create an affinity with the industry at an early stage of people’s careers.


It is also all go with BIFA Training at the moment and we are currently looking to boost our capabilities by recruiting an additional trainer. As with our Young Forwarders’ Network, the Freight Forwarding Apprenticeship is one of the drivers of the increased demand, as well as firms preparing for Brexit with an anticipated increase in Customs declarations.


Linked to this is our new online course ‘How to complete a Customs Declaration’, which we are planning to launch on 1 March. It will consist of around 11 modules and is purely digital. This course can be done around your work commitments and in total should take around five hours to complete. It is easy to register interest by visiting the Training page at www.bifa.org . Furthermore, it is eligible for government funding so follow the instructions on the BIFA website.


If you have ever had to contact us about BIFA Membership, it is highly likely you will have spoken to Jane Robinson who retires at the end of the month having worked at BIFA for 26 years. Ironically, she remembers when she joined aged 41 that her manager said, “we were looking for an older lady”. Jane says she will miss the BIFA team, but with eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren she will be kept busy. We will miss Jane for many reasons, but especially for her baking skills. Watch out Mary Berry!


Sadly, another past BIFA stalwart passed away recently. Roger Allen was Chair of the BIFA Air Policy Group when I first attended its meetings. BIFA Director Fred Osborn worked with Roger at Pandair and remembers Roger’s quick wit and good company, with a love of wine and curry! Roger also worked for other illustrious BIFA Member companies such as UPS, DHL, EMG, AEI, Atlas Air, Air Haniel, MSAS and Exel (some no longer here, but great names of the past). I will remember Roger for his courteous manner. A true gentleman.


Robert Keen Director General


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