Industry professionals speak about the initiatives undertaken for upskilling and re-skilling and its importance in the most sought-after logistics and supply chain industry. Ground staff still lacks understanding of processes and the significance of accurate handling of perishable items, state industry experts.
Sara Haque
India boasts of a massive youth population, whose potential can be channeled for a range of sectors within the logistics industry.
The task remains to equip them with the skillset to boost efficiency and consequent rewards. The need of the hour is to showcase the lucrative gains that the industry provides and encourage consistent engagement from them. Here, industry experts speak about the initiatives undertaken for upskilling and its importance in the logistics and supply chain industry, particularly for youth. They also highlighted vital areas where there is need for skill development:
- Pharma supply chain/cold chain sector: e-commerce, online grocery stores and e-pharmacies have pushed for streamlining the sector. Maintaining a resilient supply chain in these areas is important.
The workforce should be imparted training to understand the needs of these commodities and its logistics management. While technology interventions have made this possible, the ground staff still lack understanding of processes and the significance of accurate handling of perishable items. An urgent need for sensitizing the staff about the significance of efficient handling, storage, and transportation of these temperature sensitive goods is necessary
- Reverse logistics: from soft skills and polite customer interactions to checking goods before accepting the return among others are vital points that need adequate training to continue driving growth of the sector
- Warehouse management: from effective warehouse layout, methodical storage, handling, inventory management, and value-added services offered across warehouses, it is important to have a workforce that is not only well trained but also knowledgeable about the nature of products stored and their life cycle
- Green logistics: the workforce should understand the importance of sustainable operations and adopt environmentally friendly processes and systems.
Upskilling vital in logistics
The logistics sector provides employment to 22 million as reported by the Economic Survey. A large part of this workforce is semi-skilled or with minimal education. Industry players so far have not invested sufficiently in skill development initiatives and neither has the government’s focus been adequate. Experts forecast that an efficient workforce could assist in a 10 per cent decrease in indirect costs and help consolidate a fragmented industry. The Economic Survey forecasts that the logistics industry is set to grow from US$160 billion to US$215 billion in the next two years. The sector is seeing increased government focus, reforms, and funding. The need for capacity addition has moved the industry’s focus from the eight major metropolitan cities to make smaller ones into sunrise hubs for the sector.
Most of these upcoming warehouse clusters are aligned along the developing freight and industrial corridors in India. As the supply chain industry continues to move towards maturity and sophistication, the nature of jobs will continue to transform. At Kuehne+Nagel, we provide a holistic view of people’s development, as we believe that continuous assessment of competence, the provision of feedback loops, and the creation and completion of individual development plans are essential for high performance. We have an eco-system of trainers, facilitators, and experts who run formal and informal sessions for learning. We have an online learning platform that is available on demand for our employees, instilling a self-learning culture. Globally, extensive service action training has been rolled out for all colleagues working in our customer care locations. Our employees also receive extensive training to improve their skills at the regional level.
Skillset changing fast in workforce
Human resource development is often relegated in the run up to improve infrastructure and technological capabilities. A World Bank report stated the skill gap and digital fluency is low among the logistics industry workforce. The NLP envisages an upskilling and reskilling of workforce to adapt, innovate and excel. However, the success of this framework lies in its execution. It must enable them to think, learn and thrive in an ever-changing environment.
In the last 3-4 years, the skillset in the industry is rapidly changing to be more data and tech driven. Industry bodies and private players have a huge role to play in shaping up the skill gap. Today, we see several top logistics firms have come up with an in-house training programmes for their employees with the attributes of adapt, innovate, and excel. Opportunities are enormous for the youth as the industry is becoming more competitive. It contributes to 14 per cent of GDP and can generate 10 million jobs by 2027.
On the other hand, industry consortiums too are playing a pivotal role in fast-tracking this progress. We see educational institutes collaborating with the industry to ease the process and bridge the skill gap. We see specialized programmes on AI, Blockchain and IoT offered by Indian B-Schools with a management perspective that are pursued by young professionals and the outcome looks promising. In fact, logistics is taught as a specialized course in technical institutes as well.
Firms to focus on in-house training
The logistics industry is addressing the challenges of a changing landscape by implementing various initiatives to upskill its workforce. It recognizes the critical role of technology, data literacy, and specialized knowledge in streamlining supply chain operations and reducing the sector’s carbon footprint.
These efforts encompass measures, including AI integration, supply chain management courses, leadership development programmes, and multicultural awareness training to equip employees with a diverse skillset tailored to their specific roles. Additionally, digital learning modules, knowledge series, and internal applications facilitate continuous learning and development, ensuring logistics professionals remain prepared for the future.
To maximize the impact of these initiatives, logistics firms must focus on customizing training programmes to address specific job needs. They should foster mentorship opportunities and collaborate with educational institutions to create specialized logistics and supply chain courses. Recognizing and rewarding employees for their specialized skills through certifications and recognition can also motivate them to regularly upskill.
The industry’s commitment to upskilling its workforce will enhance operational efficiency and make the sector agile and competitive in the evolving global supply chain landscape. Digitalisation and unified portals play a central role in uniting the industry, with initiatives such as ULIP and ELOG, addressing sector-specific needs. Through these concerted efforts, the industry is poised to meet the challenges of the future, while fostering a skilled and competitive workforce.
Advanced tech to meet changing demands
The logistics industry relies heavily on its workforce. Recent technological advancements have enabled specialization and enhancement of skill sets among logistics professionals to meet the changing demands of their specific roles. Burdened by the task of extensive documentation, technology has helped overcome this redundancy by streamlining operations. The implementation of track and trace modules ensures precise workforce location tracking, especially in a dynamic logistics environment.
The industry is investing in upskilling its workforce to comprehend and embrace new-age technologies, enabling them to excel in robot-friendly automated environment. This includes the usage of cutting-edge tools and techniques for boosting the overall efficiency of logistics operations. Specialized logistics sector training focuses on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Blockchain. Diverse organizations provide programmes, as per the industry’s evolving requirements. Government and private entities recognize the significance of well-trained logistics professionals in sectors such as air cargo, road transport, rail, and maritime logistics. These organizations play a vital role in equipping aspiring professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the logistics landscape, incorporating the most recent technological advancements and industry standards.
The industry offers an array of career options and incentives to attract talent. Initiatives such as the PMGS and e-commerce revolutions in India are set to reshape the logistics and transportation landscape, creating a wealth of opportunities. Major players in e-commerce, such as Amazon, Flipkart, Zepto, and Zomato, are known to offer packages to transportation specialists thereby making it an attractive field for young professionals. This industry provides diverse roles, from supply chain management to technology integration, and offers financial rewards and growth prospects, making it a compelling choice for the youth.
Opportunities for women in logistics
- Trainings by industry associations: industry associations such as ACFI, FFFAI, ACAAI are organizing online/offline training programmes that are being delivered by industry stalwarts for upskilling industry personnel.
- e-learning platforms: industry players are collaborating with e-learning providers and offering a wide range of courses. Thereby making learning accessible to a wider range of audience.
- At MyLogistics Gurukul, we offer bite-size training programmes for upskilling the industry. These courses are developed by industry experts. The programmes are customized, as per the needs of the
organization. Lots of case studies are added for better understanding. - AR/VR technology: augmented reality and virtual reality are being used for training purposes. These tech allow
professionals to gain practical experiences in a safe virtual environment. - Soft and behavioural skills: programmes on problem solving, communication, leadership also add to the overall development and are important for professional growth.
As the industry is becoming more specialized, besides the conventional careers, jobs in areas of data analytics, warehousing, cold chains, pharmaceutical sectors, sales, finance, have increased. Besides core logistics jobs, there are also opportunities in trainings, L&D, SMEs, branding, and social media personnel in the creative side. It has become important to brand the industry as a preferred career option as there is a misconception that logistics is about blue collared jobs. We interact with MBA students, tech institutes, students of international business and talk about the myriad job opportunities there are for each of these students.
There are many opportunities and preferred career opportunities for women in logistics as team leaders, managers, sales and marketing, finance. Women carve a career for themselves in the industry. It might not be only about the attractive starting packages, but also showing a career path, growth, decision-making, travel opportunities that attract youngsters.
incentives for specialized skills
Many logistics companies, including Jeena & Company, have introduced specialized training programmes for their employees. These programmes cover aspects of logistics, including supply chain management, inventory control, and transportation management. These programmes can be designed in-house or outsourced to professional training organizations.
- Technology integration: with the increasing use of technology in logistics, companies are heavily investing in training their employees on usage of logistics software, warehouse management systems, and transportation management systems, vital for efficient operations.
- Certifications: offering employees’ the opportunity to earn industry-recognized certifications, such as certified supply chain professionals or those certified in production and inventory management, can help them gain specialized knowledge and skills.
- On-the-job training: logistics companies provide on-the-job training. This practical experience is invaluable for skill development, especially in warehouse and transportation operations.
- Cross-training: cross-training employees in multiple areas of logistics can make them more versatile and adaptable. For example, a warehouse worker could be imkparted training to
handle inventory management or transportation tasks, and vice versa. - Continuous learning: encouraging a culture of continuous learning is important to upskill manpower in any industry. The companies can support employees in attending workshops, seminars, and industry conferences to stay updated on the latest trends and technologies.
- Mentorship programmes: pairing experienced employees with newcomers in mentorship programmes helps transfer knowledge and skills.
- Customized training: it is important to have tailored training programmes to meet the specific needs of different job roles within the company. For instance, a warehouse manager would require a different skillset than a supply chain analyst, and hence, the training should be customized as per requirement.
- Skill assessments: conduct regular skill assessments to identify areas where employees need further training. This helps in targeting training efforts effectively.
- Collaboration with educational institutions: collaborating with the universities and vocational schools in order to develop industry-specific courses and curriculum that align with the needs of the logistics sector is crucial.
- e-learning and gamification: leverage e-learning platforms and gamification techniques make training more engaging and interactive. This can be effective in teaching technical skills and software proficiency.
- Incentives for acquiring specialized skillset: offering incentives such as promotions or salary raises to employees for acquiring specialized skills or certifications.
- Feedback loops: we encourage feedback from the employees regarding their training needs and the effectiveness of training programmes and use this feedback to improve offerings. This should be a recurring practice in the firms.
Regular training must for employees
The industry has recognized the need to upskill its workforce to keep up with the evolving technology in the field. Regular training programmes for the employees must focus on technical skills, soft skills, and industry-specific knowledge. Utilizing e-learning platforms and mobile apps for on-demand training modules and encouraging the employees to obtain industry-recognized certifications to validate their skills and knowledge.
Supporting the employees in pursuing relevant certifications by offering financial incentives or study leave. Creating specialized career tracks within the logistics industry, such as warehouse management, supply chain analytics, and international trade. Firms must offer mentoring programmes and on-the-job training to help the employees specialize in their chosen areas. Collaborating with technology providers to offer training on logistics software and tools. Encouraging cross-training initiatives to expose the employees to aspects of the logistics chain.
Tailored training and development plans based on individual employee needs and partnering with universities and vocational schools to design curriculum that aligns with industry needs. Offering internships and work study programmes to the students to bridge the gap between education and practical experience. Implementing reward systems for employees who attain specialized skills or certifications.
It is essential for the employees and employers in the logistics industry to keep an eye on the latest advancements and technology trends. Continuous learning and training in these areas are a must to stay competitive in the changing logistics sector. Specialized training in new advancements and technology such as AI, ML and Blockchain, is critical for the logistics industry to adapt to the digital transformation that is reshaping the field.
AI in logistics training may cover topics such as predictive analytics, demand forecasting, route optimization, and warehouse automation. Institutions and platforms such as Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer online courses in AI and ML. Specialized training providers such as Coursera’s ‘AI For Everyone’ or edX’s ‘AI in Supply Chain’, offer AI-related logistics-specific courses.
Organizations the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and the Institute for Supply Management provide training and webinars on technology in logistics. ML training in logistics covers areas such as pattern recognition, predictive maintenance, and inventory optimization. Blockchain training in logistics focuses on a secure and transparent supply chain management. Platforms such as Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning, and Pluralsight provide courses and certifications related to logistics technology.
Training employees in AI-related skills
India has the largest millennial and Gen Z population globally in the 25-35 years age group. They form a resource that no other country has. We need to tap this strength and train them. Several educational institutes are including AI and related studies in their courses across industries. Companies are collaborating with top universities to offer classroom and online AI technology courses. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched several initiatives to upskill the emerging generation with AI -based skills. Even employers understand the significance of training their workforce in AI, and many of these employers started their AI journey with targeted initiatives to upskill their workforce in AI. This is being driven by the employees who are demanding such training too.
Training must for logistics needs
With the Indian manufacturing sector climbing towards greater heights and India becoming a reckoning ‘factory to the world’—there is an emerging need of well trained and educated personnel in the logistics sector. Over the past 10 years, we have seen more varsities acknowledging the growing sector and introducing professional courses and even management degrees in specialized logistics programmes. We have associations such as CII & Logistics Sector Council introducing training programmes, which cater to specific logistics needs of different industries.
Parallel to these is the adaptation of technology driven processes, which are available online as certifications that complement this sector’s overall educational needs. It would not be wise to generalise AI, ML, and Blockchain and their relevance in this industry. These innovative methodologies are set to specific parameters aligned with the understanding of what needs to be achieved and what can be achieved. Associations and special education institutes may be able to offer grassroot level education and know-how in these aspects. Logistics and SCM employment opportunities are no more the resting places of the uneducated. These are prime employment opportunities with the realization of how important these roles are for different industry verticals. With focused educational programmes being made available, the sector is the most sought-after employment platform for people who wish to build, sustain, and grow in their professional careers. Apart from a high degree of achievement scale being offered through senior roles in the industry, the logistics sector is also becoming a key growing paymaster.
Job avenues in logistics sector
Skill shifts generally occur with the changing needs of the industry and sectors since ages past. But COVID caused in terms of automation and digitalisation. The need for technological, social, and emotional skills are rising even as the demand for others, including physical and manual skills, are being replaced by technological advances. Automation will speed up the shift in required workforce skills that we have seen over the past 15 years. These changes will require workers everywhere to deepen their existing skill sets or acquire new ones. Companies are rethinking on how work is organized within their organizations, changing the structural landscape itself.
The demand for technological, social, emotional, and cognitive skills will rise by 2030 with 85 million jobs likely to be displaced and another 97 million created by 2025. Of these, many will be technological roles, increasing the need for workforce to have advanced digital skills. Organizations were forced to adopt digital skills such as digitalisation to maintain a competitive edge, depending on adopting the right digital technology and nurturing employee competencies in application of the same. This demands a shift in mindset among individuals, teams, and organizations. Companies that have already invested in digital innovation recently are now in need for an alignment of their internal competencies to maximize returns on investments.
Recognizing that they must adapt to new market conditions an g and scheduling to ERP integration to ensure the smooth functioning of end-to-end operations. Employees are key stakeholders that contribute to an organization’s success. The sector, apart from being one of the most sought-after career options, offers a plethora of platforms that can benefit youth who venture ahead in the industry.
With rise in e-commerce platforms, the logistics industry offers a learning experience to shape cognitive and practical skills. Use of technology in daily operations opens vistas for career advancements.
Skills gap analysis for workforce
In any industry, to excel and ensure greater output, it is necessary to upskill and re-skill the employees/manpower. Recently, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya collaborated to advance India’s infrastructure and logistics sectors. GSV will design, develop, and deliver courses and curriculum related to Prime Minister Gati Shakti and National Logistics Policy. GSV will offer skill development and capacity building of logistics professionals to enhance their skillset and know-how.
CJ Darcl implements an array of in-house training programmes to enhance the skills of its workforce. These programmes help in enhancing operational efficiency, delivery of quality services, adherence to HR policies, and effective claim risk management. The company extends its focus beyond technical training to the sessions such as self-development and motivation, stress management, and other relevant soft skills. Leadership development is another integral facet of the training initiatives. We engage in upskilling and re-skilling of employees. It conducts periodic mandatory training sessions and driver assessment tests. The results of these assessment reports are reviewed and compiled for each driver. These reports serve as a valuable insight to the organization for highlighting the areas of improvement that needs to be majorly worked on.
Safety training to mitigate risks
- Soft skills evolution: logistics industry highlights the requirement in the development of soft skills like communication and problem-solving by providing solutions, and teamwork. These skills are vital, while associating within a team, clients, and suppliers.
- Tailored training: in-house training tailored to the specific needs of clients to be fulfilled by logistics team. These
programmes focus on the skills required for a particular assignment assigned with
flow chart of company’s exclusive operations. - Safety training: safety is a concern in the logistics industry, serving as distribution hubs, cold chain movement, supply chain, cold storage, VAL, perishable, pharmaceuticals, heavy duty shipments, in areas such as transportation and warehousing at dry/cold. These programmes help the employees to mitigate potential risks: quick decision-making and acting swiftly during emergency.
- Online platforms: online platforms offer courses and certifications websites such as Coursera, edX, and Udemy provide a range of courses that individuals can opt for irrespective of the financial status they can access from anywhere in India.
- Hosting logistics courses: The CII and FICCI frequently host events and training related to technology in logistics and supply chain management through workshops seminars. The Indian Institute of Logistics (IIL) offers logistics and technology courses. Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) and other top business
schools offer education programmes and certificate courses in emerging technologies and their application in logistics industry and supply chain management.
Logistics sector needs to attract and retain talent by providing opportunities and benefits to make the careers appealing to young professionals. Some examples are:
- Employee recognition: identifying and rewarding employee achievements in work front, enhance job satisfaction and motivation.
- Technology expertise: budding logistics professionals can work with cutting-edge technologies, together with AI, IoT, and Blockchain, which can be intellectually inspiring and professionally assuring.
- Career development: logistics offers opportunities for growth in one’s career. From entry-level positions to higher-positions and salary based on active participation in their roles and responsibilities and achievement.
Logistics sought-after by youth
Every industry bears witness to change with new technological advancements on the horizon. Organizations ensure that their workforce stays relevant to the changing times by investing in industry-led training programmes. This ensures the employees hone new skills, make the most of the application being adopted by the enterprise, and drive significant performance metrics that drive both the company’s objectives and an employee’s career growth.
To develop specialized skills, competency-based training programmes are curated to help the workforce focus on a particular job. This is achieved through a combination of online courses, simulation training, and hands-on experience. While the new-age technologies in question have played a huge role in simplifying the complexities of logistics functions. To make their application ready to use, supply chain management holds specialized training sessions that impact regular operations. The stakeholders are provided with crucial learnings in processes right from planning and scheduling to ERP integration to ensure the smooth functioning of end-to-end operations. Employees are significant stakeholders that contribute to the success of an organization. The logistics industry, apart from being one of the most sought-after career options, offers a plethora of platforms that can
benefit budding professionals who venture ahead in
the industry.
With rise in e-commerce platforms, the logistics industry offers a great learning experience that can shape excellent cognitive and practical skills. The incorporation of advanced technology in daily operations opens avenues for career advancement that offer good salaries and benefits.
Govt investing in upskilling
Many logistics companies offer in-house training programmes to their employees on a variety of topics, including technical skills, soft skills, and management skills. These programmes can be delivered in a variety of formats, including online, in-person, and blended learning.
Many companies have partnered with educational institutions to offer specialized programs and courses on logistics and supply chain management. These programmes can help the students develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the logistics industry.
Governments of many countries are investing in upskilling the logistics workforce. For example, the Indian government has launched the National Skill Development Mission and Kaushal Vikas Yojna.
Recently, Warehousing Association of India (WAI) signed an agreement with 21CC Education for providing a platform of skill development in logistics, supply chain and warehousing industry through their interactive online learning management programme.
The first step is to conduct a skills gap analysis to identify the skills that the logistics workforce needs to develop to meet the demands of the industry. This can be done by surveying employers and employees, and by analyzing job postings and industry reports.Once the skills gap has been identified, tailored training programmes can be developed to address the specific needs of the logistics workforce. These programmes should be designed to be practical and must be relevant to the specific roles and industries in which the employees work.
Since the logistics industry is constantly evolving, it is important to provide the employees with opportunities for continuous learning. This can be done through in-house training programmes, external training courses, conferences,
and workshops.
The rapidly evolving and digitized logistics industry powered by policy initiatives such as Prime Minister Gati Shakti, Sagarmala, ‘one district, one product’, and manufacturing based SEZs have created demand for skilled workers with specific knowledge and skillets to use new age technologies.
The companies are taking several measures to upskill their workforce and attract new talent, including offering in-house training programmes, partnering with educational institutions, and providing opportunities for on-the-job training. The NLP, launched by our visionary PM Narendra Modiji has capacity building and human resource development in its core values.
