The field of transportation and logistics is gaining new levels of attention and boasts one of the most rewarding and vibrant career paths for skilled, college-educated, young professionals. As the millennial generation becomes attracted to this industry, we can anticipate changes in 2016 and beyond.
There will be an increased focus on closing the skills gap. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, transportation and logistics is the second-largest employment sector in the United States with more than 6 million jobs. The field will generate 270,000 new jobs annually through at least 2018, according to the Georgia Center for Innovation. At the current job creation rate, that’s more than 10 percent of all new jobs in America for the next few years. Unfortunately, job seekers often overlook opportunities within supply chain because they fail to recognize the immense opportunities for advancement and long-term success. This means that in 2016 employers will need to do a better job of attracting the right people to their logistics organizations, and smart companies will implement meaningful retention programs.
With the appearance of services such as Amazon Prime Now and Uber and emerging technologies such as 3D printing, consumers are coming to expect extreme transaction transparency and guaranteed two-day, same-day, or within-the-hour delivery for many products, services and experiences. Increasingly, the supply chain is the key differentiator that drives the purchase. While the influential millennial generation may have led the charge for an easy, expeditious and personalized shopping-and-delivery experience, the new normal is the expectation that each transaction meets the standard set by the last best experience. These changes create unique challenges in the areas of logistics, transportation and distribution. A trained and talented staff is required to embrace the present and coming change to meet elevated consumer expectations.
Abe Eshkenazi, CEO, APICS