10


Issue 8 2020 - Freight Business Journal


scientists, developers and engineers worldwide, who are key to creating new technology- led logistics solutions, testing and scaling them up as well as analysing data. Finally, we need to get logistics


One of the biggest recruitment and training headaches in the logistics sector is the shortage of digitally savvy candidates interested in the profession – and a lack of such skills amongst those already working in the industry, writes Nick Ghia, general manager UK for multi- modal logistics technology platform provider CH Robinson. As in all industries, digitisation


is rewiring the logistics sector and taking it to new heights. Digital talent - professionals who are adept at harnessing the power of technology - is, and will be, more than ever an asset


for logistics companies


that are looking to differentiate. But there aren’t enough of them coming through and there are not enough of them currently working in the profession. Everyone talks about a driver


shortage but arguably the biggest issue is around developing a digital workforce which will be critical to driving forward the logistics industry in the future. Recent research indeed reveals the scale of the issue with nearly a quarter of logistics firms stating that it was problematic to recruit technological talent. The key challenges to


resolve are industry image and recruiting digitally adept young people, which go hand in hand.


Firstly, there is a need to put


logistics firmly on the map as an exciting career. Logistics still conjures up images of trucks and warehousing. The industry has to be much more relevant and impactful to attract the next generation of logisticians otherwise we risk losing them to other industries. Trade bodies, the education sector, the logistics profession and specialist recruitment agencies have a collective role to play in getting across the new hi-tech logistics era characterised by the likes of artificial intelligence, the internet of things, robots, automation and predictive analytics. The issue with


digitisation


of the supply chain is that it’s largely invisible to the eye. Technological


transformation


needs to be brought out into the open so young people can see it for what it is. There is a need to take the next digital breed of


logisticians behind


the scenes and showcase technological development and implementation in action. The growth of video and


social media channels, which are used predominantly by younger people, facilitates promotion of digital-led supply chains. We also need to play on themes that will appeal to students coming through our education systems


How to attract – and keep – the best talent


Bridging the skills gap in the logistics sector has been a priority for


years. Darren Ryan from


Morrison Freight discusses why it’s more important than ever for businesses to invest in staff development and the recruitment of the next generation to help futureproof the freight industry.


As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, economy


the future of remains


the uncertain.


Thousands of employees across all sectors have been made redundant so job vacancies are


few and far between. This means that businesses


have the pick of the bunch when it comes to recruitment. It’s no surprise that many are


employers prioritising


– from opportunities to be part of project teams developing and implementing leading edge technologies, to working on initiatives that minimise the impact of transportation on the planet. There is also an unexploited


opportunity to date which is to leverage the association of aspirational brands with logistics – those very brands that young people look up to but would not immediately associate with logistics. For example, we recently announced an alliance with Microsoſt Corp to digitally transform supply chains of the future. This development combines the power of our global transportation management platform Navisphere, Microsoſt Azure and Azure Internet of Things to meet the changing demands


of evolving global


supply chains. Equally there is a requirement


to highlight the breadth of skills development


opportunities


arising from the new look supply chain in the digital age, whether that be the application of artificial intelligence and data analytics as well as risk, change and relationship management. It’s for this very reason


that as a company we make a lot of the fact that we have a 1,000-strong team of data


experience. The trouble with this is that it is doing little to encourage new blood into the sector - talent we need if we are ever to close the skills gap. As an industry, we need to be


doing more to encourage young people to pursue a career in logistics. We are a sector that is constantly growing and new job roles are being created daily, but despite the wealth of opportunity, young people don’t seem to be choosing logistics as a potential career path. According to a recent study


by Talent in Logistics, only 8% of young people consider the sector to be an attractive career option and 42% don’t even know what logistics is. And this, coupled with the


fact that only 9% of the current workforce are under the age of 25, represents a huge problem. Too many people are unaware of the vast variety of


into the mindsets of young people earlier. In line with the digital era of logistics, we should be looking at the ‘gamification’ of logistics in order to introduce school children to the concept of logistics in a fun way, where they can also learn analytical and problem-solving skills. This will provide a fertile recruitment ground later on for our sector. As regards developing current


employees, reskilling them for the digital age is crucial so that logistics organisations can keep pace with technological transformation in the sector. Our employees currently benefit from cross-functional learning opportunities, internal training sessions, mentorship programmes and access to technology. We also practice what we


preach by investing in digital tools that benefit the progression of our employees. Business intelligence solutions as well as operational technologies are made readily available to empower them to make more intelligent decisions and focus on innovation and personal growth. Digitisation of logistics


presents major opportunities for the sector – let’s ensure we’ve got the people in the future to make it happen.


roles available within the sector, so this is where businesses can help. By employing apprentices,


attending careers fairs and visiting schools, we can help keep the UK moving. But we all need to come together to do this, because changing the nation’s perception of our industry and bridging the skills gap is going to be no mean feat. And once we have trained the


next generation of professionals, another hurdle we will face is how to keep them. A study by global analytics


and advice firm Gallup revealed that 87% of millennials agree that having opportunities to progress is significant when choosing a new job. Having a clear path for career


progression is vital in keeping employees motivated and happy


in their job – and this is 11 >>


///NEWS


News Roundup Forwarding & Logistics


The Multimodal freight conference and exhibition has been postponed for a third time – to 22-24 June. The event at Birmingham NEC was originally planned for June 2020 but was then postponed to November 2020, and then again to March 2021, due to the Covid-129 crisis.


London-based digital forwarder Beacon has opened an office in Hong Kong and has appointed. James Yu, previously logistics program manager at Uber in Hong Kong, as ocean procurement lead, HK. A growing number of Beacon’s customers have supply partners in China and elsewhere in Asia, and having a presence in the same time zone enables the company to offer superior customer service and better connectivity between importers and exporters.


Allport Cargo Services is to be rebranded to EV Cargo Global Forwarding. As one of five business divisions within global logistics and technology business, it will continue to offer international supply chain services in over 100 markets. The phased transition to EV Cargo Global Forwarding will be complete by the end of 2020.


Forwarding expert Robert Falconer has launched Customs X, a service to help safeguard smaller firms avoid falling foul of Brexit customs regulations aſter 31 December. He says that it introduces a different style to the traditional methods of customs data entry, moving away from rudimentary form filling towards data flow practices. It is aimed at companies who may not have a full understanding of their individual incoterms which can affect payment of goods, delivery schedules, increased costs and negative customer interactions. www.customs-x.com


Online retailer AliExpress’ Cainiao Smart Logistics Network arm and its last-mile partner have launched a new international air-freight route to speed up average delivery times between China and Europe by over 30%. It has also launched new service to help deliver big ticket items - such as furniture and motorcycles - over four meters long or wide or weighing more than 300kg.


Davies Turner has promoted Tony Cole to head of ocean to lead on its ocean freight forwarding services. He replaces Kieron Larkin who is to lead a strategic review of the company’s computer systems and soſtware that will underpin all its freight forwarding services. Cole joined Davies Turner in 1990 and, as head of supply chain services, was instrumental in the launch and development of Davies Turner’s flourishing direct weekly Express China Rail consol services in 2018.


Freight forwarder WE Deane has freed up 3,000 pallet spaces at its Barking main base to meet increased demand. The UK is currently in the midst of a nationwide capacity crunch, and the accommodation will help businesses meet continued demand caused by a hike in e-commerce volumes, nationwide panic buying and intense stockpiling due to Brexit on 31 December. It is offering full warehousing, pick and pack, distribution and fulfilment services.


Yusen Logistics has started operations at a new site in Bradville, Milton Keynes to store and distribute white and brown goods. The site is a recently refurbished single-story warehouse with enclosed yard and refurbished offices and provides approximately 90,000sq ſt of space.


Aerospace logistics provider B&H Worldwide and UK-headquartered supply chain integrator OnLogistics have joined forces to provide an integrated supply chain management solution. OnLogistics provides a range of aerospace integration services including contract packing, packaging design and supply, distribution, storage, kitting and direct line feed.


Beverages logistics specialist Hillebrand has acquired bulk liquid firm Braid. Hillebrand said the move would strengthen its expertise in handling non-hazardous liquids in bulk, such as wine, olive oil, non- hazardous chemicals, juices and edible oils, adding to its experience in cased goods.


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