A WHOLE of government approach is crucial as the logistics industry seeks to overcome skilled labour shortages, Phillip Parsons says.
Mr Parsons is the director of logistics for Coca Cola Europacific Partners as well as a director for the Australian Logistics Council.
He will be speaking at the upcoming ALC Supply Chain Summit in Sydney, addressing the topic, Australia’s Supply Chain Workforce—The Crisis We Can’t Ignore.
Mr Parsons said industry was unable to address workforce shortages on its own.
“We need help. Industry cannot address the workforce shortages across the supply chain alone,” he said, noting successful efforts by governments to staff the public transport sector.
Mr Parsons said this issue was apparent even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The emergence of the digital economy and multi-channel Supply Chains started the higher demands for a skilled workforce,” he said.
Mr Parsons said the issue was holding back productivity (a key focus of the current federal government) and contributing to inflation.
“Everybody is talking automation but it will be a long time before we see a fleet of driverless trucks and even then they will not unload themselves,” he said.
“We are at a turning point in the world’s economy and our nation’s productivity and supply chains will play a positive role in taking advantage of the change which in turn will improve our economy and standard of living.”
Mr Parsons said the summit would be an important opportunity to hear from industry leaders, discuss challenges and compare business experiences.
ALC chief executive and managing director Hermione Parsons said developing Australia’s supply chain workforce was “fundamental to building Australia's sovereign capability.”
“Without it we can’t effectively support our nation and our economy,” Dr Parsons said.
“Our lack of pipeline, and education and training, and the ageing male dominated workforce remain a critical challenge to Australia’s supply chain future in metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.”
Dr Parsons said the ALC Supply Chain Summit 2025 would explore Australia’s supply chains under pressure and the solutions necessary to build a resilient future.
“As an island nation we are not there yet,” she said.
“The beauty of this event is both the brilliant line of speakers—the decision makers in the country’s leading companies—and their commitment to explore realistic and practice solutions, addressing the very real challenges we continue to face.”
The ALC Supply Chain Summit is being held on 21 August. Click here for more information.