Govt launches framework to grow logistics sector
A NATIONAL skills framework that identifies jobs, career paths and emerging skills required for the logistics industry was launched in Singapore yesterday.
The effort by the Economic Development Board, Spring Singapore, SkillsFuture SG and Workforce Singapore will support the government’s vision of adding 2,000 professional, managerial, executive and technician jobs in the logistics industry by 2020 and achieve a value-add of US$8.3 billion (Bt275 billion).
The skills framework initiative forms part of the logistics industry transformation map launched late last year.
During the skills framework event, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said logistics is an important and promising sector for Singapore.
“We have a well-connected airport and seaports that enable logistics companies to serve the whole region efficiently from Singapore, notwithstanding the higher land and labour cost.
E-commerce is growing rapidly and supplanting traditional retail in many cases, he said.
“The last mile of e-commerce, that is, delivery to the customer, is where technology and innovation can really make a difference,” he said.
The growth of the logistics industry will see jobs that demand different and deeper skills than today, so companies should “invest in people, to develop talent, retain their staff and nurture deep knowledge and soft skills.”
“The government will play its part to attract, nurture and retain a strong Singaporean core of talent for the logistics industry,” he said.
Younger people will be trained ahead of demand, through Singapore’s universities, polytechnics and ITE, while midcareer workers will be supported through midcareer professional conversion programmes.