Given the nature of the Integrated Logistics Support market, which has grown from the requirements of the UK defence industry, there are very few specialist qualifications. Most of the skills are acquired on the job as a standard part of training, given the vital importance of maintaining equipment in the harshest of conditions as well as to meet budgetary constraints.

We estimate that 95% of ILS professionals have a background in the military, which could be The Army, The Royal Air Force or the Royal Navy, although by far the greatest number will have been part of REME (The Royal Mechanical & Electrical Engineers).

It is worth noting that, whilst not a qualification as such, all ILS staff require Security Clearance to be able to work in the defence industry.

In the light of the increasing recognition of life cycle costing, maintenance and management, by commercial and defence industries alike, there has been a growth in the number of university courses which contain content relevant to the disciplines of ILS. Cranfield and Reading are just two examples: