Tertiary qualifications in demand for senior positions

THE STAFF demands of the freight and logistics sectors have changed in the last decade, according to Dr Lynn Ribton-Turner, MD of Ribton- Turner Recruitment. One of the more notable changes in demand has been a swing to employers now looking for tertiary qualifications for the more senior candidates for management jobs, she told FTW – adding that the most popular degree is a B Com in logistics, although the more practical course leading to a B Tech degree from technical colleges also meets with a lot of acceptance. “We are finding that we can place candidates – especially those complying with black economic empowerment (BEE) standards – straight from universities,” said Ribton- Turner. “And they are getting good salaries – even with a need for considerable further training in the industry.” She also found companies in the freight industry looking at two-year specialised courses – and bringing in numbers of learners each year. But, despite this background of training, Ribton-Turner noted that the industry still faced a great shortage of hands-on skills, still displayed a tremendous demand for experienced recruits – and still continued to try to retain its own experienced staff. Success for staff tends to come when people enter the trade at an early age, and adapt to what she described as “the world village culture” of the freight industry. At executive director and MD level, the call is for well-trained, high calibre personnel, with the likes of lawyers and financial people – because of the banking function in the industry – often meeting the bill. “But experience in the trade is a critical need, and an understanding of international logistics essential for high level positions,” she added. From a recruit’s pointof- view, Ribton-Turner felt that the industry now offered very exciting career prospects in the freight and logistics sectors – with salary levels very competitive with those in other industry segments. “Also, it’s an international occupation and there are lots of openings for experienced staff in other countries,” she said, “with SA candidates now often being appointed into multi-national management positions. “This is especially true in Africa, where multi-nationals recognise that SA managers know, and can handle, the business on the continent.”