new competencies and
innovations in logistics

In 1914 Liege Airport was constructed (at that time Bierset Airport). Originally it was a military airport. In 1994 Liege Airport developed passenger flights and in 1996 cargo flights were developed.

The introduction of cargo flights was the starting of the development of Liege Logistics near the airport. Liege region is a good logistic location at a crossroads of a number of countries. Liege is also one of the largest inland harbours. Since 1994 many companies were established near the airport in a "Cargo Village". Nowadays Liege Airport Cargo ranks in the top 12 of largest airports in Europe.

The reason for the establishing of "new" companies near Liege Airport was the fact that the heavy industry went down. The regional government gave a lot of incentives to companies to start logistic activities. European funds were also used to co-finance this. Development of "new" companies has not ceased since 1994.

The development of Liege Logistics was the main reason for the origination of Forem Logistique. Forem is the public employment service for the Walloon region with a lot of experience in training of the unemployed. In 1994 four people started with Forem Logistique. Forem Logistique could contribute to the staffing of the new developing, logistic activities. People formerly working in the heavy industry could be retrained. The group consisted of two trainers, one manager and a secretary. From the start, Forem always aimed at realizing training courses that are closely connected with company needs. In 1998 Forem was actually operational. Nowadays 26 people work for Forem and 30 sub-contractors (specialists, company trainers).

Forem Logistique is located near Liege Airport. It is placed between several companies that are located in Cargo village, Liege Logistics.

Forem Logistique supplies training for job seekers and training for company staff (retraining).

They offer training courses for logistic and transport functions such as:

• Forklift driver
• Customs officer
• Taxi driver
• Bus driver
• Truck driver
• Order picker
• Warehouse manager
• Supply chain manager
• Logistic manager
• Etc.

In every training for unemployed a practical period is included. The unemployed have to participate in an unpaid internship for one month. The length of the training depends on the level of the training, but also on the type of participant: a job seeker or a worker.
Training courses for workers are mostly shorter than training courses for job seekers.
This is very logical because workers have more practical experience. Training courses for workers are tailor-made. These courses for workers act in practice as a basis for the development of training courses for the unemployed. This has the great advantage that training courses for the unemployed are very much linked to actual working practice in companies.

Forem advertises their training courses in local newspapers. The advertisement contains: the contents of the training, the duration, the required thinking level etc. The potential participants have the possibility to react to the advertisement. The applicant can write a letter of application and include a CV. After that Forem invites the applicants for several tests. If one applies for training by Forem one does not need to have a diploma. The results of the tests determine if the applicant is suited for the training. The tests consist of: psychological tests, motivation tests and technical tests. Motivation is considered crucial because otherwise people do not finish the course. Selection of applicants is also necessary, because usually there are more applicants than places for the training courses. The higher the level of the training, the more difficult it is to find people for the training. There is also a possibility to visit information evenings about the training courses that are given by Forem.

Forem participates in a partnership with the University of Liege and several companies and employers' organisations in the logistics fields. This regional partnership helps to co-ordinate actions and helps to improve and promote the infrastructure for logistics. This also helps to promote Forem. The role of the University of Liege is to develop the logistics area and organise logistics education at academic level. One worker of Forem is only concerned with what is called Fultrans. He tries to foresee developments in the future. Because of that he is able to provide input on the issue of what kind of training is necessary in the future.

For unemployed who participate there are some limited extra bonuses in payments on top of their unemployed benefit. The unemployed also receive a compensation for travelling costs. The Walloon Region mainly subsidises the training co-financed by ESF-3 funds. Forem is a non profit organisation. Companies that send their workers to a training course must give a small compensation for the training.

Forem Logistique has three courses, which are closely linked to our two function groups: Forklift driver (cariste), warehouse worker (magasinier polyvalent) and what is called technician in logistics and transport (technicien en logistique et transport). The training for forklift drivers is very limited (64 hours) and aims at skills to conduct the machines. The training for warehouse worker is longer (520 hours) and aims at a broader understanding of the warehouse work and flexibility in the type of work that can be performed. This training course includes elements such as:

• Basics of logistics
• Basics of informatics
• Packaging
• Transport techniques
• Storage
• Licence forklift driver
• English language
• Internship

The training for technician is at a high level. This training is long (1580 hours). Half of the participants have university background. This training course includes elements such as:

• Transport
• Languages, English, Dutch and German at high level
• Psychology and communication
• Managing a group
• Logistics
• Customs formalities

Workers, who have participated in a training course of Forem Logistique, are able to give new input for the contents of the training. Because of that, the training courses are always up to date and fit the demands of companies. Forem Logistique has its own method of certification. In Belgium these certificates are acknowledged. Forem hands out diplomas for forklift drivers and for warehouse workers. Forem also hands out licences for forklift drivers. There is also a possibility to receive a forklift driver's and crane operator's licence. The duration of this training is longer.

In the past some trainees were not motivated enough, leading to drop-outs. The solution therefore was a better selection procedure of trainees. By using publicity, the potential groups of trainees increased. Moreover, in the present state of the labour market, the supply of unemployed is higher.

The main goal of Forem is to find work for unemployed. For the year 2004 Forem has room for 700 participants. The total participants for the training courses for forklift driver, order picker and technical logistics (white collar) are 160 (22,9%).

The selection of applicants is very strict; this results in a low percentage of dropouts (1 percent). When Forem started, 76% of the participants found a job after the training. This number has grown to 93%. The cause of this high percentage is the close connection with the industry. There is much co-operation with companies in the partnership and by practical internships. Moreover, by also offering training courses to the employed, there is a close contact with many companies.

Forem Logistique is specialised in training for logistics for unemployed with a high chance of finding a job afterwards. This can be attributed to:

• An internship in a company, which can lead to a job.
• Close contacts with logistics companies, independent organisations in a regional partnership. The contact is also close because Forem also offers training courses for employed.
• Continuously updating of training contents. Because the contents of training courses for unemployed are largely based on tailor-made courses for workers, company practice is very much incorporated in the training.

After the participant finishes the training successfully, Forem talks about the training with the participant. This is very important because the participant is now working in a company and he puts theory into practice and may give advice about possible improvements of the training. Because of that the training is updated continuously.