Logistics education is adapting as rapidly as the industry itself.

To address these crucial questions,
Cat^® Lift Trucks has been consulting with two eminent logistics professors: René de Koster from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and Edward Sweeney from Aston University in Birmingham, UK.

Growing challenges

Their discussions have highlighted key challenges arising from the fact that supply chains are becoming more technologically advanced, globally connected and environmentally sustainable.

To deal with technological advances, future logistics managers will have to be educated in areas like information and communications technology (ICT), data analytics, mathematical and simulation modelling, blockchain and robotics.

They will need to learn how to manage in complex international or global contexts, and to understand the principles of managing for environmental and business sustainability.

New ways of learning

Logistics education is adapting as rapidly as the industry itself. Course content has changed substantially, and the way programmes are organised and delivered is also very different today.

"Education and learning is now much more learner-centric than in the past," says Edward Sweeney. "There is a strong emphasis on, for example, problem-based learning and the 'flipped classroom'."

René de Koster adds: "We see many more massive open online courses (MOOCs), more case-based teaching and flipped classrooms, and more use of the internet in conveying the message."

A highly specialised and demanding role

Cat Lift Trucks and the logistics professors emphasise that logistics management is already a highly specialised role, often requiring degree-level education, and that its demands are sure to increase.

Students seeking a career in logistics now have a wide choice of courses to choose from, including work-based training, degrees and postgraduate qualifications. To ensure programmes are relevant to the evolving needs of business, educational institutions involve senior supply chain professionals from a range of sectors in their design.

Along with core skills in areas such as inventory management, warehousing, transport planning and supply chain design, students must develop much wider knowledge.

Edward Sweeney concludes: "In particular, the logistics manager of the future needs to be a change manager, a strategic thinker and a team-oriented player, as well as having business acumen and a strong understanding of the financial dimension of supply chains."

Find out more

Further insights into the work of a logistics manager, and what the future holds, are available from www.eurekapub.eu.

Practical guidance for logistics managers on issues surrounding the selection and use of materials handling equipment is available on the Cat^® website. Visit www.catlifttruck.com/training/e-learning.

See products in action via www.catlifttruck.com/videos and follow the news on Facebook and Twitter.

Monica Escutia
Manager Marketing Communications
Tel: +31 (0) 36 549 4328
send an email
www.catlifttruck.com
Eureka Online Magazine