ALC releases action plan to support skilled supply chain workforce

The Australian Logistics Council (ALC) has released an action plan for a sustainable, skilled workforce, as the national jobs and skills summit continued in Canberra on 2 September.

ALC said the summit needs to deliver reform, investment and support for workforce diversification to secure the future of the freight logistics labour force and the national economy.

ALC CEO, Dr Hermione Parsons said the approximately 1.2 million strong freight logistics supply chain workforce has always kept families fed, cars fuelled and the economy moving.

“Without our freight and logistics workforce, the Australian economy would come to a grinding halt, shelves would be empty, our world-class agricultural exports would not move from paddock to port or plate, and critical imports would be stuck,” Dr Parsons said.

“The pandemic has proven the value of the Australian transport, freight and logistics supply chain to the national economy and the summit needs to deliver real change, not just to ensure the future of freight but in the national interest,” she stressed.

“Each year our freight and logistics companies and infrastructure operators move about four billion tonnes of goods across Australia, 163 tonnes of freight for every person – this is an enormous task and one that is growing and it requires people to complete it.”

In response to the summit, ALC has released a plan for a nationally consistent and sustainable pathway to support the supply chain.

“Without a strong supply chain workforce, nothing will move and that is bad for our community, bad for business and bad for Australia.

“We need to see greater investment in training, in diversifying the workforce and addressing critical shortages, in warehousing, infrastructure construction, truck and train driving, heavy vehicle and green vehicle mechanics, stevedores, transport planners and data managers.

“ALC wants to see outcomes from the summit that achieves a sustainable population policy to support a growing economy and shrinking workforce to draw from, empowering jobs and skills Australia to deliver industry informed VET reform and support for industry lead initiatives,” Dr Parsons said.

Source: ALC media release