new competencies and
innovations in logistics

This concerns a large traditional clothing manufacturing company, which is currently managing a significant shift in its business operations. The clothing sector in Ireland has in recent years undergone enormous change, faced with keen overseas competition particularly in the labour intensive sub-sectors. This company embarked on a new strategy to outsource a substantial part of its traditional operations e.g. Production, Materials Management. This has created a new emphasis in the company on supply chain and logistics considerations. New business systems and a changed organisational culture are being developed to deal with this situation. In particular there is a need to co-ordinate the company's operations with its suppliers and customers in the supply chain.

In relation to its employees, there is a requirement to train all staff to engage in the new "supply chain" environment. Employees are now being trained across a range of activities within their departments. There is a particular emphasis on service quality, and how each employee impacts on this. One programme for manufacturing staff has already been completed. The next phase will include the warehouse, office and administration employees.

A modular training programme will be run on an in-company basis, over one year, probably one evening and an afternoon per week. The programme is being developed largely internally, using line managers, and co-ordinated by the company's Training Manager. Some external trainers, such as consultants will be involved in imparting certain topics. Fas will assist in the preparation and certification process. The programme will have recognised national certification.

Modules will include:

• Knowledge and application of Supply Chain issues in the business
• Introduction to Finance
• Health and Safety
• Quality
• Customer Handling Skills
• Information Technology Applications

CConsiderable cross training of employees will also be carried out. In the warehouse, employees in pick/lift activities will acquire further skills and knowledge in handling documentation for agents, geographic codes etc. as well as invoicing and despatch procedures. Employees will receive computer application skills relevant to internal logistics systems as well as external supply chain processes. This will lead to a significant degree of upskilling of the warehouse handlers, pickers etc and enhance their career development.

An example of training outside the warehouse function would be that of Production planning staff learning to work on Bill of Materials and vice versa.

The training will be imparted largely by the line managers from the various business units, and the process developed and managed by the company's Training Manager.

Each employee will acquire a far broader range of skills. In effect the warehouse employees will become multi skilled, and this will enhance their employability and ability to advance in their careers - e.g. IT and documentation processing skills for handlers, pickers and lifters. Employees will gain knowledge of Supply Chain Management issues. Employees will have a greater understanding of the business, its new trading environment and culture.

Possible problem issues could be:

• Some employees may be apprehensive about being in a formal learning situation, due to a number of factors i.e. relatively modest level of secondary education, length of time out of the education system, and the fact that this may be the first training programme attended by them. In order to address this potential problem, the company intends to ensure that the various trainers are sensitive to this situation - one on one coaching will be used frequently, and in many cases evaluation test questions will be framed in a multiple choice format.
• There may be some initial difficulties having some employees released from work for the training owing to scarcity of cover. This will be overcome through negotiation with line managers.
• The line managers who will present the training are not all trained as trainers/presenters. Coaching will be provided in training/presentation techniques by the Training Manager and through outside development courses.

As a result of the training programme employees will have a broader repertoire of skills i.e. greater versatility. This will in turn enhance career progression.

The business will benefit through achieving greater flexibility.

Employees will have a thorough understanding of the new business environment and the new role requirements brought about by developments in Supply Chain Management.

It is expected that employees' morale and motivation and self confidence will increase through the process, which will accredit their learning acquired both through the formal training as well as through prior experience.

Safety standards will be improved particularly in the warehouse i.e. handlers etc.

It will be possible for other companies faced with similar business imperatives to undertake similar training programmes for warehouse and other staff in logistics related activities.