The Government’s push to accelerate the transformation of the logistics sector in Singapore got a boost with the launch of the Skills Framework for Logistics on 22 September 2017. It was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the opening of the YCH group’s Supply Chain City at Bulim Avenue.
The skills framework supports the Logistics Industry Transformation Map which was launched in November 2016, and identifies job roles, career pathways, and existing and emerging skills required for the sector.
“By 2020, the logistics industry should achieve a value-add of $8.3 billion and create 2,000 new professional, managerial, executive and technician (PMET) jobs. The Government will play its part to attract, nurture and retain a strong Singaporean core of talent for the logistics industry. We will train people ahead of demand, through our universities, our polytechnics, and through the ITEs. We will support mid-career professional conversion programmes to augment the talent pipeline,” said PM Lee.
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Under the skills framework, six career pathways have been identified which include warehouse management and operations, freight forwarding and operations, sales and customer service, logistics solutioning and programme management.
The Labour Movement’s Logistics Cluster was one of the partners involved in developing the Skills Framework, said NTUC Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) Patrick Tay.
Writing on his Facebook page, ASG Tay, who is also director of NTUC’s Future Jobs, Skills and Training (FJST) Department, added that the Skills Framework complements efforts in strengthening the Singaporean Core and ensures a continuous pipeline of skilled manpower for the jobs of the industry.
He added that the Labour Movement through the Logistics Cluster will be engaging workers and management on rolling out the framework and emphasise the importance of upskilling for the future.
Sharing his thoughts on Facebook, National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) Executive Secretary Melvin Yong said the union is glad that YCH will test new technologies and allow for a more hands-on approach for new entrants to the logistics sector.
Supply Chan City is a project by Singapore’s logistics giant YCH Group.
The $200 million dollar state-of-the-art facility aims to support Singapore’s growth as a globally leading logistics hub with a fully ramped up warehouse, inventory counting drones and advanced robotics.
“We will continue to work with YCH and other industry partners to help our logistics workers upskill quickly and be future-ready for new jobs in this evolving industry,” said Mr Yong.
