Courier company shifts skills development into high gear
Triple E Training is helping to address serious skills shortages in the transport logistics industry. This crisis is preventing third-party logistics providers (3PLs) from meeting the demand of modern logistics operations.
The widening skills gap in this industry is due to rapid technological advancement which has outpaced traditional workplace training programmes, exacerbated by the growth in demand for e-commerce and shifting consumer preferences.
More than ever, manufacturers and suppliers rely heavily on providers of specialist “last mile” services. Responsible for the final stage of delivery from distribution centres to customers, these 3PLs are also increasingly adopting new technologies to optimise the final customer experience.
To position itself at the cutting-edge of “last mile” services, a large courier company has registered its employees on Triple E Training’s adult education and training (AET) programme. Once they have obtained a General Education and Training Certificate, they will be better equipped to work with the latest technology. Operational staff will also be able to engage professionally with their company’s clients, as well as their customers. Equipped with foundational maths skills, employees will also be able to think critically and logically to solve problems and make decisions. This while also working more precisely. Equipped with foundational skills, our client’s employees will also be able to operate the latest technology and adapt quickly to change.
Skills shortages slam brakes on supply-chain efficiency
Both “hard” and “soft” skills are in short supply in this industry. Job-specific skills include an ability to work with digital technologies; an understanding of the end-to-end supply chain operation; and how individual roles manage the many risks involved.
“Soft” skills include problem solving and adaptability. Even candidates with standard workplace etiquette, such as maintaining eye contact and an ability to navigate interpersonal relationships, are difficult to find.
Emotional intelligence is another “soft” skill that is in very short supply in most industries. Emotionally intelligent supply chain professionals gain the trust and respect of team members, ensuring better collaboration and more successful outcomes across the supply chain.
Pulling out all the stops in the way of training
Triple E Training is well on track to start facilitating training in the first week of February 2025.
The client has prioritised the training for exceptionally poor performers. We will then assess the extent of their existing foundational skills so that we can place them at an appropriate AET level. This will ensure that they transition seamlessly from previous educational attainment into AET, greatly improving their chances of completing the programme.
Learners will also attend an awareness campaign to motivate attendance. This is important as all of the company’s operational employees have not completed school. Most of our client’s employees do not value workplace training. This can be attributed to past poor experiences with education or simply a lack of confidence in their own ability to learn. An awareness campaign will address these issues once and for all, while also reaffirming their employer’s commitment to their learning success.
AET classes are compulsory. Therefore, we have agreed to facilitate training at the workplace throughout the working day to ensure 100% participation.
We are confident that this AET assignment will be yet another resounding success.
Learn more about Triple E Training and how we are bridging skills gaps in industry. www.eee.co.za