TWO KEYS FOR THE 3PL INDUSTRY TO REDUCE THE JOB SKILLS GAP

Rutgers Supply Chain Management Meet-and-Greet Event

Two Strategies To Reduce The Skills Gap In The Logistics Industry

The 'skills gap' describes the situation when a labor pool for an industry, trade or profession does not possess the most desirable or current knowledge to meet job requirements.  Leo Reddy, CEO of the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, recently wrote in Supply Chain 247 about this challenge within the 3PL industry.

Strong links between businesses and educators are necessary to implement the long-range planning required to minimize the skills gap. A story in Higher Ed notes college students believe they are being taught the skills required for a job in their chosen field while employers reject this notion. The gap will never be eliminated because technology developments do not synchronize with timetables for training or degree programs.  One commodity  in great demand for any job candidate is the ability to embrace the concept of change in order to adapt to evolving workplace practices and procedures.

The recruitment of young talent into the logistics education track is as important as providing them with current skills when they enter the job market.  The logistics industry needs a marketing make-over.  Business-minded college graduates are heading to tech or social welfare plays and not generally into supply chain management.  The 'image gap' is a bigger hurdle than the 'skills gap' in our sector.

We utilize many strategies to attract qualified talent at all levels to WDSrx.  Here are two of them:

1. Like Attracts Like -- Everyone in our organization passionately reflects our slogan to provide "Confidence Beyond Compliance."  From our attire to our demeanor, to every piece of promotional material and every personal interaction, we project the values of our company.  We are genuinely excited about our future.  And we attract people who thrive in our entrepreneurial environment.

2. Fish Where the Fish Are -- Actively seek and promote direct communication with centers of higher learning that offer degrees in Supply Chain Management, like Rutgers University.  A robust professional/educational collaboration establishes a clear vision for students who see a clear path from their studies directly to companies that desire their skills.

A key service of most 3PL firms is the ability to efficiently receive, store and distribute goods through the supply chain.  Our approach to solve the 'skills gap' should follow the same guidelines, receiving new students storing relevant industry knowledge and distributing them in career-oriented jobs throughout our dynamic and growing industry.