CARGOCONNECT-OCTOBER2024 - Flipbook - Page 36
SPECIAL FEATURE : LOGISTICS WORKFORCE
“In response to this transformative shift,
forward-thinking companies are not only
investing internally in training programmes
focussed on digital literacy and technology
adoption,” Magali observes, and further
adds, “Also collaborating externally with
tech solution providers like CargoAi and the
broader tech ecosystem.” She emphasises
the importance of adopting a mindset of
openness to partnering and learning from the
wider ecosystem. This approach, she asserts,
can be a vastly di昀昀erentiating competitive
advantage for organisations able to do it well.
“Digitalisation is fundamentally reshaping traditional logistics roles,” explains Or
Zak, VP– Commercial, Challenge Group.
According to him, digitalisation is helping
streamlining processes, enhancing e昀케ciency,
and introducing new job functions. Or Zak
says, automation and advanced technologies
such as Arti昀椀cial Intelligence (AI) and data
analytics are revolutionising how logistics
operations are managed. “One signi昀椀cant
impact of digitalisation is the automation
of repetitive tasks,” he points out, which
allows employees to focus on more strategic
and value-added activities that require
human creativity and decision-making
skills. Further, he notes that digital tools
provide real-time visibility into supply
chain operations, enabling faster and more
informed decision-making.
ALPANA
CHATURVEDI
The existing workforce, particularly
those with long-standing tenure in the
industry, may face challenges in swiftly embracing the
rapid changes unfolding within the logistics sector.
Some individuals within the workforce might exhibit
resistance to these changes, reflecting the ongoing
transition both within the industry and among its
personnel. Recognising this dynamic, organisations
should identify skill gaps and bridge the digital divide
through sustained investment in training programmes
and cultivating a culture of continuous learning. This
approach will ensure that workers remain
proficient in the latest advancements.
Chief Executive Officer
My Logistics Gurukul
One of the biggest
challenges in skilling
the logistics workforce
for a technology-driven
industry is the rapid
pace of technological
advancement and the
resulting skills gap.
Closing the Skills Divide
In a technology-driven logistics sector,
mastering data analysis is paramount.
This skill empowers employees to identify
trends, optimise routes, forecast demand,
and allocate resources accurately, thereby
enhancing overall supply chain e昀케ciency.
Moreover, proficiency in managing and
integrating automation and robotics systems
is indispensable. It requires striking a balance
between arti昀椀cial intelligence and human
intervention, ensuring that critical roles
continue to bene昀椀t from human judgment
and experience.
Prior to delving into automation, a solid
understanding of foundational cyber security
is essential. With the rise in data breaches,
employees must be equipped to identify
vulnerabilities and uphold the security
of sensitive logistics data. To address this
challenge, logistics companies are adhering
to industry standards and regulations like
GDPR and ISO 27001, prioritising data
security and customer trust. Pro昀椀ciency in
昀氀eet management software is also crucial
for ensuring timely deliveries, empowering
employees to monitor vehicles, optimise
routes, and enhance customer satisfaction.
36 | CARGOCONNECT OCTOBER 2024
Furthermore, collaboration with technology solution providers emerges as a critical
competency. E昀昀ective communication with
software vendors, hardware suppliers,
and technical support teams is necessary
to seamlessly integrate new technologies.
This pro昀椀ciency facilitates the harmonised
adoption of innovative technological solutions
across the logistics landscape. As exempli昀椀ed
by various companies, ongoing development
programmes and training initiatives are
pivotal for accelerating employee growth
and addressing skill requirements in the
digital age.
Talking about the biggest challenges
in skilling the logistics workforce for a
technology-driven industry, Vikash highlights several key issues. According to him,
the primary challenge lies in the readiness of
organisations to identify and address training
gaps e昀昀ectively. He notes, “In order to skill
the manpower, we have not seen much
resistance from the side of the workforce.
Most of the people are ready to learn new
applications subject to proper training.”
However, Vikash points out a signi昀椀cant
gap in smaller logistics organisations’ orientation towards tech training programmes. He
emphasises that these organisations often
lack comprehensive training programmes
with reinforcement modules. “We've identi昀椀ed a signi昀椀cant gap within organisations
regarding the assessment of training needs
and the implementation of e昀昀ective training
programmes. Many smaller logistics 昀椀rms
lack a focus on technology training initiatives, and existing training o昀昀erings often
lack comprehensiveness and reinforcement
modules,” he went on to elaborate.
In addressing these challenges, Vikash
stresses the importance of organisations
recognising the need for comprehensive
and ongoing training initiatives to equip
their workforce with the necessary digital
