Road to Logistics & Sysco Group have been shortlisted as finalists in the Modal Awards at Multimodal 2026 in the ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Company of the Year’ category.
When Road to Logistics began working with Sysco Group, the shared goal was simple: open the doors of the logistics sector to people who might never normally get the opportunity to work in it.
Logistics is a vital industry, but it remains one of the least diverse workforces in the UK. Many people who could succeed in the sector face barriers to employment such as long-term unemployment, homelessness, care experience or neurodiversity. At the same time, employers across logistics continue to face significant recruitment challenges as the sector experiences persistent labour shortages.
Road to Logistics and Sysco worked together to address both issues through a new approach to recruitment and training. The partnership was developed to support the opening of Sysco’s largest UK distribution centre and to ensure the workforce behind it reflected the communities it serves.
Tailored training leads to genuine opportunities
Together we designed dedicated logistics training programmes delivered at Sysco’s Hemel Hempstead site. These programmes combine sector-specific training, RTITB-accredited forklift truck qualifications, employability support and long-term mentoring. Crucially, Sysco is involved throughout the process, from helping screen candidates to shaping the recruitment preparation that learners receive before attending assessment centres.
One of the key principles of the programme was removing barriers that often prevent people from succeeding in recruitment processes. Interview expectations and assessment centre formats are built directly into the employability training, helping learners gain confidence and prepare for real-world interviews. Participants also receive one-to-one mentoring from the start of the programme through to twelve months after entering employment.
Across three dedicated programmes at Hemel Hempstead, 35 individuals completed the training and 90% successfully secured employment with Sysco.
The cohorts reflected the programme’s focus on inclusion:
- 100% were unemployed when they joined the programme, with 70% long-term unemployed
- 30% were NEET
- 20% were care leavers
- 20% had experienced homelessness and were living in supported accommodation
- 40% identified as neurodiverse
- 25% were from ethnic minority backgrounds
Behind these statistics are real stories
One of the first graduates from our programme, Levi, joined after experiencing homelessness and living in his car before moving into a hostel. After completing the training and mentoring programme, he secured a role with Sysco operating a forklift truck at the Hemel Hempstead site. Today he is in stable employment and working towards securing his own accommodation.
The partnership also forms part of the wider impact of Road to Logistics nationally. The organisation has now supported over 700 people into logistics careers, achieving 89% progression into employment and 94% retention with the same employer after 12 months. Independent analysis shows that for every £1 invested in Road to Logistics programmes, £6.50 is returned in social and economic value.
The collaboration between Road to Logistics and Sysco shows that inclusive recruitment is not simply a social responsibility, it is a practical, scalable solution to the logistics sector’s long-term talent shortage.
Winners for the Modal Awards will be announced on 30th June at a special evening event at the NEC, Birmingham.