While technology
is acknowledged as
one of the shipping
industry’s biggest
game-changers into
the future, it will
mean nothing without
the skills to drive
that technology, thus
making training and
skills development one
of the highest priorities
in the field of transport and
logistics.
“Industry-related skills
are not formalised within a
large sector of the shipping
industry, creating growing
gaps in aspects such as
critical thinking, problemsolving,
technical skills,
general business acumen and
leadership roles,” said Juliette
Fourie, CEO of specialised
logistics training company,
MetroMinds.
She told FTW that the
future of shipping would
be “greatly impacted” by
technological advancements
and automation of processes.
“The young talent joining
the industry either leaves
prematurely or is only
exposed to small pockets of
the shipping environment
for a short time when they
participate in learnerships or
trainee programmes,” Fourie
commented.
According to her, logistics
companies’ training and
development strategies need to
align with industry changes,
opportunities and trends.
“Innovative solutions are key to
this model,” Fourie said.
CEO of TSI Central
Station Clifford Blackburn
agreed, pointing out that the
independent 4PL logistics and
transport company’s business –
which has been in existence for
ten years – was successful not
through technology alone but
because of its well-trained staff
who drove the technologies.
CFR Freight MD, Martin
Keck commented that one
of the big challenges and
opportunities would be to
keep the “human touch” in
the business and to use new
development as ever-evolving
tools for the people working in
the industry.
“The total skill of a
company is the sum of the
applied competence within
it and training and skills
development will continue to
play a huge role in identifying
trends, seizing opportunities
and spotting game-changing
issues,” added Laraine Hurst,
group human resources
manager at CFR Freight.
'Disruptors' need skilled staff to drive the change
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