According to the Logistics Skills Forecast Report 2021 – 2023, Logistics Information Technology will take lead in the near future, when the demand for this job increases rapidly.
More technology and less warehouse operation personnel
On 15th October, within the framework of the Vietnam-Australia Partnership for Human Resource Development (Aus4Skills) supported by the Australian Government, the Logistics Industry Reference Council (LIRC) and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) organised a forum on “Skills Forecast for Vietnam’s Logistics Industry”. At the forum, the Logistics Industry Skills Forecast Report 2021 – 2023 was released by LIRC.
The report covers six key issues related to current status of the logistics workforce, including: logistics job positions in short supply; the importance and level of possession of logistics knowledge – skills; social, business, and technological trends that impact logistics human resource needs; Future demand for logistics workforce, etc.
According to the survey results, there is a serious shortage of logistics human resources in Vietnam, both in terms of quantity and quality. Particularly, positions that are lacking the most are: logistics business, logistics information technology, transport and warehouse operation.
LIRC had also surveyed the logistics labor demands of two groups of enterprise, namely logistics enterprises and manufacturers. Each group indicated three job positions on a rapid rise, and three positions that are declining in the near future.
Both groups of enterprise shared a common assessment that logistics information technology positions would increase rapidly and the positions in warehouse operation would likely decrease.
The increasing and decreasing demands of logistics positions in the upcoming future (Source: the Forecasting skills report in the logistics industry).
According to Mr. Vu Ninh, Chairman of LIRC, Covid-19 had accelerated the digital transformation process in the logistics industry. A series of freight forwarding and coordination software became popular in all work positions within the industry, which requires all employees to have a certain understanding of technology.
Mr. Le Duy Hiep, President of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), said that many new skills arose as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the logistics industry, digital transformation, e-commerce, mid-mile and last-mile delivery had become extremely important.
Based on the survey results, the report recommended that state agencies and vocational education institutions (VET) organise training programs and enrollment plans suitable to the logistics labour market needs.
Contributing to the development of quality human resources.
At the forum, Dr. Truong Anh Dung, Director General of the General Department of Vocational Education and Training (Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs), said that the report showed what occupations are facing a big shortage of human resources and what skills are essential to the logistics industry’s demand. He emphasised: “This is what the Vocational Education and Training system is looking for. If the issues are well identified, the VET system will be able to meet the requirements of enterprises”.
According to the Director General of the General Department of Vocational Education and Training, vocational skills forecasts are very important to the human resource training objectives at all levels of vocational education, contributing to improving labor productivity and increasing the country’s competitiveness.
The logistics industry requires highly skilled, technology-savvy human resources to be able to handle new equipment (Artwork: Pham Nguyen)
Mr. Vu Ninh, Chairman of LIRC shared: “Vietnamese logistics enterprises are easily equipped with modern machines. But we cannot import human beings.”
According to Mr. Vu Ninh, we need to invest in training in order to have skilled and productive workers who earn a decent living. To do so, it is necessary to forecast skills, ‘make orders’ to VET schools, have a roadmap and an appropriate approach.
Mr. Khe Van Manh, Vice Principle of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) College of Economics commented that the Skills Forecast report was very helpful for vocational training.
Having an early access to the report, HCMC College of Economics had the opportunity to update the specialised training program for logistics industry to respond to the needs of businesses. Through involving in the reporting process, the college could connect with and send their students to businesses on internship, providing them with an access modern equipment and learn the latest skills.
The school’s lecturers could also exchange with experts who are working in the industry, gain more practical knowledge about logistics to further improve their teaching skills.
Source: Tung Nguyen – Dantri
