‘Entry clerks in high demand’

IN AN interesting reversal of expectation, entry clerks are now in strong demand, says personnel consultant Lynn Ribton-Turner.
Contrary to the expectation that Customs EDI would make them redundant, the opposite is true. “With Customs imposing massive fines for errors, experienced and competent entry clerks are in high demand and short supply.”
In terms of management opportunities, there are fewer available as mergers and acquisitions continue. Managers are now also required to be operators as companies embrace a flatter hierarchical structure. The same applies in the case of sales managers who need to be productive, she said.
Global shipping line mergers have also taken their toll with fewer career opportunities in this sector.
Clearly there’s one major item on the industry agenda at every level right now and that’s the balanced scorecard.
“It’s already created a growing demand for skilled black staff, an area where there is a real dearth and where the industry needs to place the highest focus in the immediate future,” she said.