new competencies and
innovations in logistics

In the last few years there have been numerous developments in the field of logistics. Due to globalisation and the increasing complexity of goods streams, innovative logistic concepts have been developed. To manage and control the logistics streams, more and more a Warehouse Management System (WMS) is used. In many companies warehouse workers are involved with warehouse management systems.

VTL is one of the main training providers in logistics in the Netherlands. They have a role in the training of apprentices in the regular vocational education system and are also active in the field of continuing training. The assortment of VTL (Vakopleiding Transport en Logistiek, Vocational Training for Transport and Logistics) in the field of WMS was mainly focused on theoretical education, without paying much attention to the more practical aspects of automation in the warehouse. In the future VTL strives for their students to be more practically focused during their training, so that they will become familiar with automation and the accompanying procedures, so that the uncertainty and fear of students towards automation will be removed.

In the field of continuing training for companies, VTL wants to become an important player in training in WMS. Very often training is given when the system has already arrived and is connected. In-company training can start when the system is implemented. In that case in a way the training is too late. In the months before, the workers do hear a lot about the new system, but they do not see anything of it. A base training can improve the acceptation.

The project 'Pilot Warehouse Management Systems' is set up for warehouse workers, warehouse supervisors and warehouse managers. Up until the time of the interview VTL had only filled in the programme for the warehouse worker. The programme for supervisor was in development, but was expected not to be finished within a short time. The programme for the warehouse manager had not started yet. In this case we are mainly focused on the pilot for the warehouse worker.

The training is given in Diemen (near Amsterdam) in a warehouse simulation. This simulation area already exists for the training of forklift drivers. Now they split the warehouse in two and one half is used for the training for Warehouse Management Systems. It is a computerized warehouse, fit out with:

• A computer with a "filled" warehouse management system.
• Beamers.
• Label printers.
• A storage -, stock - and a result location.
• An encoded staging with coded pallets, boxes and packages.
• Scan equipment.
• Forklifts.

The training 'WMS for warehouse workers' forms a first pilot training and is pointed at the warehouse worker who has to work with a Warehouse Management System with barcode scanning. The training can be used in courses for various types of groups that have to be trained. Some of these target groups, which are explicitly distinguished, are: end-users of RIMS (Robocom Inventory Management Systems, a provider of software for WMS); temporary workers (via temporary agencies); logistics companies; reintegration routes (for training unemployed); students following apprenticeship training. The target groups are various and different in character, also to compensate the high costs. The WMS training involves large investments, which can only be paid back by training a larger number of trainees.

For the pilot there are no specific conditions of entry. Within the training a difference between starters and more advanced warehouse workers will be made.

A group consists of at least 6 people and at most 10. Most ideal would be 8 persons.

The objective of the course is to get acquainted with WMS and the accompanying procedures, which flow from the logistics process in an organisation. The training takes 2 days for warehouse workers and 3 days for warehouse supervisors.

The software comes from Robocom, but that should not be a problem for companies, who implement another system. Warehouse workers who learn to deal with barcode scanning do not see the underlying system. The base processes of all WMS are mainly the same. The same applies for the performance indicators, which will be used by warehouse managers.

This project is a pilot and will take a year. When the results are sufficient VTL will continue offering this training.

The new competence is the use of WMS in a warehouse for warehouse workers. VTL is used to formulate education programmes in end terms, which is quite close to formulating competences. Also for this training they developed end terms (to reach the competences). The end terms are listed below.

Contents of the programme (for warehouse worker):

• Consult database in WMS.
• Consult stock information in WMS.
• Contribute a front report for load and unload in WMS.
• Barcodes and barcode scanning.
• Export of load in WMS.
• Export of unload in WMS.
• Carry out moving of goods in WMS.
• Identify abnormality and report it.

These main categories are worked out in more detail in so-called end terms.

One of the main problems of the pilot was that the teachers were hard to find. At VTL an internal training was offered for the teachers and there were only 4 people interested. Only one teacher has actually completed the trainer course.

VTL is also testing what the length of the training should be. One day turned out to be too short (too brief) and therefore VTL prefers to offer the training in at least 2 days.

The (expected) results of this project are:

• An automated warehouse in Diemen.
• A report of the functionality and limitations of WMS as learning subject (e.g. the speed and custom friendly working of the system).
• A plan for the implementation of WMS products for VTL, based on the experiences from the pilot.

The results from the pilot are that the trainees are very enthusiastic about the 'safe environment', because they are not burdened with the problems of making a mistake.

An element of good practice is the development of a specific training contents by simulation to work with the warehouse management system. Practicing with WMS is integrated in a simulation warehouse, so the training context is very close to reality, but avoids disadvantages of training within the company itself. In the latter case training would be too "late" (after implementation) and mistakes can cause great problems.

Apart from the lack of interest for the teacher's task, the transferability is high. The concept is easy enough to grasp, so that other training providers can easily implement this method. The high costs, however, are a definite negative factor for other training providers, if they have to decide whether they will implement this method for their own.