The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is supporting this week’s National Careers Week, by highlighting the wide-ranging and rewarding career opportunities available within freight forwarding and the wider logistics sector.

As the leading trade association for UK freight forwarders, BIFA sees National Careers Week as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of talent, promote greater awareness of careers in international trade, and showcase the initiatives it has developed to support young professionals entering the industry.

Inspiring the next generation of freight forwarders

Freight forwarding plays a vital role in keeping global trade moving, managing the complex movement of goods by air, sea, road and rail. Yet awareness of the profession among school leavers and graduates remains limited.

Through targeted outreach and engagement, BIFA is working to change that perception by demonstrating that freight forwarding offers dynamic, technology-driven and globally connected career pathways.

BIFA supports its members with resources that help them engage directly with schools and colleges, offering students insight into roles spanning operations, customs compliance, supply chain management, sales, IT, sustainability and leadership.

Young Forwarder Network (YFN)

A key pillar of BIFA’s commitment to early-career development is its Young Forwarder Network (YFN). This provides a platform for young professionals within the industry that are under the age of 32, to connect, collaborate and develop their careers.

Through networking events, skills development opportunities and industry engagement, the YFN helps build confidence, leadership capability and long-term career progression; helping to ensure that new entrants feel supported from the outset.

By showcasing relatable career journeys and peer success stories, the YFN plays a crucial role in demonstrating that freight forwarding is a modern, evolving profession with real opportunity for early advancement.

Strengthening school engagement

BIFA continues to expand its school engagement initiatives. These include promoting freight forwarding apprenticeships, supporting employer participation in careers fairs, and providing accessible information about the sector to educators and students.

By connecting industry professionals directly with young people, BIFA aims to broaden understanding of freight forwarding and encourage a more diverse and inclusive pipeline of future talent.

Brooke Jennings appointed to BIFA Council

Demonstrating the relevance of the YFN, and BIFA’s commitment to nurturing emerging leadership, the trade association recently appointed Brooke Jennings, assistant manager sales and marketing at OOCL Logistics, to its Council. Brooke has played a key role in the development of the YFN and is passionate about championing young talent and promoting logistics as a dynamic, rewarding career.

Her appointment reflects BIFA’s focus on ensuring fresh perspectives are represented at the highest levels of industry governance.

Brooke’s involvement highlights the opportunities available to young professionals within the freight forwarding sector and reinforces BIFA’s belief in empowering the next generation to help shape the future of the industry.

Investing in the future

Steve Parker, Director General of BIFA, commented:  “National Careers Week provides an important platform to showcase the breadth of opportunity within freight forwarding. Our industry offers exciting, global careers with real responsibility from an early stage. Through our Young Forwarder Network, school engagement activity and leadership development, we are committed to inspiring and supporting the next generation.”

As global trade continues to evolve through digitalisation, sustainability requirements and regulatory change, attracting new talent is critical. BIFA remains dedicated to ensuring freight forwarding is recognised as a professional, accessible and forward-looking career choice.