CARGOCONNECT-OCTOBER2024 - Flipbook - Page 37
LOGISTICS WORKFORCE : SPECIAL FEATURE
OR ZAK
Vice President– Commercial
Challenge Group
Digitalisation is fundamentally reshaping
traditional logistics roles. It is helping
streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and introducing new job functions. Automation and advanced
technologies such as AI and data analytics are revolutionising how logistics operations are managed. One
significant impact of digitalisation is the automation of
repetitive tasks, which allows employees to focus on
more strategic and value-added activities that require
human creativity and decision-making skills. Further,
digital tools provide real-time visibility into
supply chain operations, enabling faster and
more informed decision-making.
Through strategic
investments in training,
partnerships, and
nurturing internal
talent, companies chart
a confident course into
an era defined by
digital efficiency.
and tech skills demanded by the evolving
logistics landscape.
One of the biggest challenges in skilling
the logistics workforce for a technology-driven
industry, according to Magali, is the rapid pace
of technological advancement and the resulting
skills gap. She highlights the tension arising
from the emergence of new technologies and
products alongside the need for employees
to balance daily tasks with ongoing upskilling e昀昀orts. This tension, she emphasises, is
unprecedented, with frontline workers facing
unprecedented workloads while leadership
teams are tasked with planning for the future
昀椀ve to ten years ahead.
To address this challenge, companies can
adopt several strategies. Magali suggests,
“Collaborating with educational institutions and training providers to develop
specialised programmes tailored to their
needs can facilitate a timely transition period.
Additionally, providing hands-on training
opportunities, mentorship programmes,
and access to digital learning platforms
can empower employees to acquire the
necessary skills to thrive in a technologydriven environment.”
In the meantime, Magali advises prioritising user-friendly products and technologies that o昀昀er a seamless experience. “For
instance, opting for the best products and
tools, such as CargoAi, which streamlines
processes without requiring extensive training programmes, can further support skill
development e昀昀orts,” she says.
Speaking on similar lines, Or Zak notes
that skilling the logistics workforce for a
technology-driven industry presents several
signi昀椀cant challenges. “These include rapid
technological advancements, resistance to
change, skill shortages, and limited access to
training and education.” However, he suggests
that overcoming these challenges is possible
through strategic measures. He explains that
for effectively skilling the logistics workforce for a technology-driven industry and
digitally-enabled future, companies can take
several steps. “These steps include investing
in comprehensive training programmes,
providing hands-on learning opportunities,
and fostering a culture of continuous learning
within the organisation.”
“By proactively addressing these challenges and implementing targeted strategies
for workforce skilling, companies can position
themselves for success in a technology-driven
logistics industry,” he attests.
“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,” acknowledges Alpana. She
further notes, “Some individuals within the
workforce might exhibit resistance to these
changes, re昀氀ecting the ongoing transition
both within the industry and among its
personnel.” Recognising this dynamic, she
suggests, 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, she believes, will
ensure that workers remain pro昀椀cient in
the latest advancements, enabling them to
e昀昀ectively navigate the evolving landscape
of logistics technology.
Quoting WEF’s projections, Alpana
highlights the scale of reskilling required
within the workforce. “The WEF estimates
that over 50% of employees will require
signi昀椀cant reskilling by 2025, attributed to
technological advancements sweeping across
industries.” This statistic underscores the
urgency for proactive measures aimed at
enhancing the skill sets of the workforce to
align with emerging technological trends.
Reflecting on the findings of a survey
conducted by Deloitte, Alpana underscores
the pervasive challenge faced by logistics
companies in retaining skilled labour amidst
digitalisation. She narrates a survey by Deloitte
which cites 45% of logistics companies struggling to attract and retain skilled labour as
they grapple with the impacts of digitalisation.
“This insight emphasises the critical need for
concerted e昀昀orts in talent acquisition, retention, and development strategies tailored to
the evolving demands of a technology-driven
logistics landscape,” she stresses.
Given recent developments in the logistics
sector, there is a pressing need for skilled
personnel to meet the growing demand.
Skilling the logistics workforce for a
technology-driven industry presents several
challenges:
CARGOCONNECT OCTOBER 2024 | 37
