Unitrans Addresses Skills Gaps Across Logistics Industry
The logistics sector across Sub-Saharan Africa is a thriving environment. There are, however, significant skills gaps that must be addressed. These critical skills gaps hinder the sector’s growth, efficiency, and profitability. Unitrans addresses these skills gaps through a range of professional development programmes, award winning driver training, and by embedding a culture of learning throughout its organisation.
Where are the skills gaps in the logistics sector?
The logistics sector across Sub-Saharan Africa faces a range of challenges related to skills and expertise. A major challenge is the shortage of skilled labour and tech-savvy drivers. This shortage affects the sector’s ability to meet the demands of modern logistics operations. The skills gap is exacerbated by the rapid pace of technological advancement, which requires a workforce proficient in new technologies and digital tools.
Another growing skills gap is found in the data analytics field. While the volume of data the logistics sector has available to use and analyse for supply chain optimisation has increased, there remains a large data analysis skills gap. While big data is fantastic, accurate interpretation and the skills needed to turn it into actionable insights falls behind. According to a survey highlighted by PwC, 45% of CEOs in Sub-Saharan Africa believe that skills shortages will affect profitability in the logistics industry over the next ten years.
Additionally, the lack of comprehensive training and upskilling programmes further widens this gap, as many workers are not equipped with the necessary skills to adapt to evolving industry standards. Addressing these skills shortages is critical for improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the logistics sector across the region.
How does Unitrans address the skills gap in the logistics sector?
Unitrans effectively addresses the critical skills gaps across the logistics industry through a comprehensive approach that includes identifying critical skills gaps, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and leveraging technology and innovation. As a proud industry leader, Unitrans identified several critical skills gaps in the logistics industry. These skills gaps include:
- Technical proficiency: As logistics operations become more technologically advanced, there is a need for all team members to have digital acumen and data analytics skills to interact with and interpret data accurately.
- Customer focus and business ethics: These are considered essential logistics awareness skills, reflecting the importance of face-to-face interactions and ethical practices across customers’ supply chains.
- Strategic and tactical skills: There is a noted difficulty in filling strategic and tactical positions, highlighting a gap in higher-level management skills.
Unitrans driver development programmes
Unitrans employs several strategies to embed a culture of continuous learning and professional development throughout its operations. Unitrans offers a range of training programmes, including the UniDrive course, which focuses on driver excellence, sector-specific training as well as driver safety and well-being. At the inaugural annual Africa Supply Chain Excellence Awards (ASCEA) ceremony, the UniDrive Training programme received the “Excellence in Supply Chain Education and Youth Development” award.
In the same year, the UniDrive Training programme was endorsed by JC Auditors and RTMS and was recognised for the programme’s contribution towards ensuring safer roads. The bespoke driver training curriculum comprises of 9 modules of which modules 1 to 8 are compulsory for any new driver starting at Unitrans, while module 9 is specifically developed for drivers operating and conveying hazardous substances. Unitrans is proud that this programme is a product of merging operational requirements, legal requirements, safety standards, behavioural needs and proven learning and development practices.
Through its Owner-Driver programme, Unitrans enhances driver skills and fosters entrepreneurship within the driver community, promoting long-term career growth.
Unitrans embeds a learning culture
Through its Graduate and Learnership programmes, Unitrans develops future talent pools to address scarce and critical skills needs. Regular upskilling programmes, including the weekly U Skill-Up webinars form part of Unitrans’ strategy to embed a learning culture within the organisation and fill critical skills gaps within its operations. Unitrans’ further commitment to professional development for its teams is highlighted through its bursary programme for employees.
Unitrans invests in fleet management solutions, advanced automation, and robotics to transform logistics operations. As Unitrans adopts and uses technology and innovation within its business operations, upskilling programmes are implemented to prepare employees for future logistics challenges, and to future-proof its customers’ supply chains. Through annual training need analysis, Unitrans employees go through diverse training programmes that cover digital skills and data analytics, thereby enhancing their ability to make data-driven decisions
Through these comprehensive strategies, Unitrans effectively embeds a learning culture that addresses the skills gap in the logistics industry. Unitrans remains committed to ensuring its workforce is well-prepared for current and future challenges across the logistics sector.
