IntelliTrans discusses future transportation employment trends

“Many bulk and break-bulk businesses face increased labour challenges due to increased order complexities; lower levels of available, seasoned staff; and changes in economic conditions where recovery rarely generates a return to prior staff levels,” said Chad Raube, President and CEO of IntelliTrans. “With a continued growth forecasted for domestic freight in 2025 and beyond, there is an expected need of nearly 2 million new employees for transportation and warehousing jobs, due to growth and attrition.”

Companies are competing for a shrinking share of the population. Only 19% of the labour force will increase in 2021 - 2031 for ages 25 - 65. Eighty percent of the workforce in 2031 will come from the over 65 population.

Staffing levels in the bulk and break-bulk industries are compounded by:

• Being usually seen as “do more with less.”
• Teams often moving from one emergency to another and essentially contributing to the tyranny of the urgent.
• Rail service being the most economical but often having questionable service levels, which drives the rail volume to trucks.
• Orders being challenging by short requested lead times, cancellations, and changes.
• The need to account for site and product-specific requirements.
• Smaller teams that have less tenure and many problems to deal with.
• The building of new manufacturing sites tripling since 2021 because of reshoring; thus changing distribution patterns and transportation modes.

Companies need to differentiate themselves with a talent strategy that involves technology deployment, employee engagement, and having a mission that matters. Technology like a transportation management system (TMS) can help as it will automate tedious work, potentially improve productivity by up to 35%, and increase satisfaction, as people want to work for a company with great technology. The TMS should allow shippers to manage by exception, which helps employees focus on only the shipment that needs attention.

Using a TMS could reduce costs by saving around US$110 per load. The TMS will also improve service significantly if customers can help themselves, such as finding the correct ETA and carriers can self-schedule. Between 10 – 15% of freight bills contain errors, and accessorial charges are wrong 25% of the time. A TMS with freight bill audit and pay capabilities allows shippers to pay what they owe and carriers to get paid on time, which helps with cash flow.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/ports-terminals/13122023/intellitrans-discusses-future-transportation-employment-trends/