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Logistics Jobs

National situations - Austria

I - STATISTICAL DATA AVAILABLE FOR LOGISTICS JOBS

1 - Overview of national situation

The annual labour market survey carried out by the central office of statistics contains useful data about occupations. These annual studies rely upon the ISCO-codification system. The possibilities for disaggregation will greatly improve when the large scale census for 2001 is published at the end of 2003. The principle of providing statistics according to profession is very well developed in the public employment service of Austria (AMS). They have a very disaggregated classification system for recording unemployed records. Furthermore, they also publish data on the number of apprentices data, a number of logistical professions can be distinguished within this range of apprenticeships.

2 - Labour market statistics

The central statistical office in Austria (Statistik Austria) http://www.statistik.at/ organises an annual labour market survey. This survey contains disaggregations according to occupation down to the ISCO-code at 3-digit level. In table 1.1 figures are presented for a number of relevant occupational groups over the years 1994, 1998 and 2001. The first four groups are broader occupational groups at higher level, which have subgroups more specifically related to work in logistics. For these higher level occupational groups, the proportion in total employment is growing. However, for many of the other occupational groups at more operational level, the proportion is declining over time.

Some of the selected ISCO-groups contain only a minority of logistics and transport related functions at a more disaggregate level. Therefore a more narrow selection has been made (for elaborate justification see Annex A ). This means that only 5 of the 11 occupational groups remain (342 Business services and trade brokers, 413 Material recording and transport clerks, 832 Motor-vehicle drivers, 932 Manufacturing labourers and 933 Transport labourers and freight handlers).

These 5 groups amount to a proportion of 5.5% of total employment, compared to the proportion of 11 groups of 13.2%. The actual figure will be somewhere in between these two, because these figures present the most optimistic and most negative possible.

Table 1.1. Proportion in total employment of a number of relevant occupations, 1994, 1998 and 2001
  Proportion in total employment (%)
  1994 1998 2001
Production and operations department managers  <122> 1.03 1.05 1.11
Other department managers  <123> 0.75 0.76 0.89
General managers  <131> 3.07 3.48 3.33
Finance and sales professionals  <341> 1.23 1.30 1.42
Business services and trade brokers  <342> 0.40 0.30 0.25
Material recording and transport clerks  <413> 1.19 1.11 0.95
Motor-vehicle drivers  <832> 2.97 3.02 2.99
Agricultural and other mobile plant operators  <833> 1.36 1.11 0.86
Messengers, package and luggage porters and deliverers  <915> 0.04 0.06 0.08
Manufacturing labourers  <932> 0.86 0.69 0.58
Transport labourers and freight handlers  <933> 1.16 0.95 0.72
Remaining occupations 85.92 86.16 86.81
total all professions 100 100 100
Total (%) 100% 100% 100%
In numbers 3592693 3596956 3685784
Source: Statistik Austria.

3 - Sectorial approaches

How are these occupations divided over sectors? What proportion of workers in these occupations can be found in the sectors which are of special interest: chemical industry, electronics, car industry, wholesale and transport?

In table 1.2 the data according to occupation is crossed with sector. We can see that transport and wholesale/retail are two important sectors for these occupations. On average half of the selected occupations work in the transport and wholesale/retail sectors. The selected manufacturing sectors account for only a small percentage of total employment of these occupations. These numbers should be seen as approximations, because the number in these cells are so small, that the bandwidth of uncertainty is large here. Furthermore the Labour Force Survey (LFS) is only a sample of total population.

Table 1.2. Occupations by sector, 2001
Occupation Proportion of occupation working in selected sector (%)
DG DH DL DM GA IA Other Total
Production and operations department managers <122> 2.6 0.9 3.6 1.3 17.1 7.1 67.4 100
Other department managers <123> 3.6 0.9 2.9 1.6 27.4 8.6 55.0 100
General managers <131> 0.2 0.0 0.9 0.0 35.4 5.1 58.3 100
Finance and sales professionals <341> 1.4 1.4 1.1 0.4 49.9 1.5 44.4 100
Business services and trade brokers <342> 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 16.8 3.1 79.8 100
Material recording and transport clerks <413> 1.1 0.5 1.5 3.4 25.7 47.2 20.6 100
Motor-vehicle drivers <832> 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.1 10.3 60.9 28.0 100
Agricultural and other mobile plant operators <833> 0.3 1.6 0.8 3.3 6.8 14.9 62.3 100
Messengers, package and luggage porters and deliverers <915> 1 0 0 0 3.6 16.3 79.1 100
Manufacturing labourers <932> 5.1 3.1 1.7 0.9 8.4 1.0 79.9 100
Transport labourers and freight handlers <933> 2.1 0.3 2.7 0.9 35.2 16.2 42.8 100
All selected occupations 1.2 0.7 1.2 8.0 24.4 21.8 42.7 100
Other occupations 0.9 0.5 2.1 1.0 12.5 3.9 79.1 100
Source: Statistik Austria.

G Manufacturing of chemicals and chemical products
DH Manufacturing of rubber and plastic
DL Manufacturing of electrical and optical equipment
DM Manufacturing of transport equipment
GA Manufacturing of wholesale and retail
IA Transport, storage and communication

This problem of uncertainty of bandwidth can be seen, when the crossing of occupation and sector is compared over a number of years (table 1.3). Because of this margin of uncertainty, it is very hard to detect trends. The figures fluctuate over the years, but this due; for a large part to this margin of uncertainty.

Table 1.3. Occupations by sector, 2001, 1998 and 1994
Occupation Proportion of selected occupation working in selected sector
DG DH DL DM GA IA Other Total
Production and operations department managers <122>: 2001 2.6 0.9 3.6 1.3 17.1 7.1 67.4 100
1998 1.7 0.5 4.1 1.3 17.2 3.1 72.0 100
1994 2.4 0.6 4.9 0.3 17.5 3.9 73.5 100
Other department managers <123>:2001 3.6 0.9 2.9 1.6 27.4 8.6 55.0 100
1998 5.2 0.7 8.2 1.9 30.4 3.9 49.6 100
1994 3.9 1.1 6.3 0.8 26.6 2.9 58.4 100
General managers <131>:2001 0.2 0.0 0.9 0.0 35.4 5.1 58.3 100
1998 0.1 0.2 1.2 0.5 34.5 4.1 59.3 100
1994 0.0 0.2 0.9 0.1 29.1 5.3 73.7 100
Finance and sales professionals <341>: 2001 1.4 1.4 1.1 0.4 49.9 1.5 44.4 100
1998 2.2 0.2 1.3 0.0 55.6 1.0 39.6 100
1994 3.0 0.0 1.1 0.3 58.1 0.9 36.6 100
Business services and trade brokers<342>: 2001 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 16.8 3.1 79.8 100
1998 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 10.5 4.3 82.7 100
1994 2.0 0.4 1.2 0.0 16.0 0.9 79.5 100
Material recording and transport clerks <413>:2001 1.1 0.5 1.5 3.4 25.7 47.2 20.6 100
1998 1.8 1.0 2.4 1.6 23.4 41.7 28.0 100
1994 1.3 1.1 2.3 3.0 17.4 48.0 27.0 100
Motor-vehicle drivers <832> : 2001 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.1 10.3 60.9 28.0 100
1998 0.9 0.1 0.6 0.2 12.3 53.0 32.8 100
1994 0.7 0.2 0.3 0.0 13.0 52.8 33.0 100
Agricultural and other mobile plant operators <833>:2001 0.3 1.6 0.8 3.3 6.8 14.9 62.3 100
1998 0.4 0.9 0.5 1.7 4.4 15.7 76.4 100
1994 0.4 0.4 0.3 1.9 4.5 11.9 80.6 100
Messengers, porters and deliverers<915>: 2001 1 0 0 0 3.6 16.3 79.1 100
1998 1 0 0.1 0 5.0 6.1 87.8 100
1994 2.2 0 0.7 1.6 1.7 5.1 88.7 100
Manufacturing labourers <932>:2001 5.1 3.1 1.7 0.9 8.4 1.0 79.9 100
1998 2.0 3.3 1.6 1.6 18.9 1.3 71.3 100
1994 2.6 1.9 2.8 0.8 15.3 2.5 74.1 100
Transport labourers and freight handlers <933>: 2001 2.1 0.3 2.7 0.9 35.2 16.2 42.8 100
1998 2.3 1.1 3.9 1.2 48.0 10.5 32.9 100
1994 3.2 1.8 0.8 2.8 38.6 19.5 33.2 100
All selected occupations: 2001 1.4 0.7 1.5 1.0 28.4 10.6 56.4 100
1998 1.4 0.7 2.2 1.0 29.1 8.9 56.7 100
1994 1.4 0.6 1.5 0.9 22.8 19.5 53.3 100
Other occupations: 2001 0.9 0.6 2.1 1.0 12.8 5.7 76.9 100
1998 1.1 0.6 2.4 1.2 15.5 6.6 72.6 100
1994 1.2 0.8 2.5 1.1 15.1 6.7 72.6 100
Source: Statistik Austria.

G Manufacturing of chemicals and chemical products
DH Manufacturing of rubber and plastic
DL Manufacturing of electrical and optical equipment
DM Manufacturing of transport equipment
GA Manufacturing of wholesale and retail
IA Transport, storage and communication

The problem of margin of uncertainty is due to the fact that the LFS is only a sample of the populations' activity. The census however, on a wider scale, has a lower level of margin of uncertainty in its results. Once every ten years, the central statistical office (Statistik Austria) carries out a large scale census among the population. The two last census took place in 1991 and 2001, however the results for 2001 are not yet entirely available.

In this census of 1991, 177 professions were distinguished, a number of professions in the area of transport and logistics and the corresponding figures are presented in table 1.4.

Table 1.4. Numbers of workers in a selected number of professions, census 1991
Profession Number of workers Proportion of total employment
Traffic supervisors 12246 0.3%
Forwarding agents 14115 0.4%
Storekeepers, warehouse supervisors 9541 0.3%
Transport conductors 3989 0.1%
Rail vehicle drivers 8821 0.2%
Motor vehicle drivers, hauliers 105863 2.9%
Transport service auxiliary occupations 20219 0.5%
Packers, sorters 28181 0.3%
Stock clerks 12600 0.3%
Freight handlers, warehouse workers 59491 1.6%
Crane, earth moving & related plant operators 18450 0.5%
All professions 3684262 100%

The 1991 census data can be crossed with other criteria, such as sector. However there is a charge for such statistical treatment.

4 - Other sources of statistics

4.1 The Public Employment Service
The Austrian Public Employment Office (Arbeitsmarktservice Oesterreich, AMS), http://www.ams.or.at/neu/, pays great attention to the criterion of profession. Unemployment figures can also be linked to profession. As a result, over 3000 professions are classified.

As an indication of the detail of this classification system, the amount of identified professions within certain groups of professions are presented in table 1.5.

Table 1.5. Number of identified professions within groups of occupations
Group of occupations Number of professions distinguished Type of professions
Land transport 44 Various types of drivers, planners, supporting staff. No warehouse types of jobs
Water transport 14 Captain, other types of officers, sailor, Ship-mechanic, port-authority. No warehouse
Air transport 18 Types of cabin crew, types of jobs at airport (planner, commercial, technical, hostess, etc.). No warehouse
Forwarding and travel agency 21 Types of forwarding agents, customs workers, and professions for travel agencies and travel companies. No warehouse
Other transport 10 Very mixed: drivers mate, Professions in removal, distributor of food, and others
Professions related to warehouse At least 50 Very disaggregated according to task (pack, sort, check, labeling, etc.), level and type of goods

For all of these professions at disaggregate level, various types of figures can in principle be generated. For the above mentioned professions annual averages for 1998-2001 have been obtained.

To give an example, the figures for various warehouse related professions are given in table 1.6.

Table 1.6. Unemployed persons (yearly averages) by last profession (warehouse types of jobs)
  German term English term 1998 1999 2000 2001
390101 Abfuller/in Box filler 109 100 81 68
390105 Etikettierer/in Label sticker 19 14 13 14
390107 Packer/in Packer 128 122 98 95
390108 Sortierer/in Sorter 172 156 126 142
390111 Verpacker/in Packer 731 700 622 685
390114 Waresortierder/in Sorter of goods 272 324 354 169
390120 Kontroller/in Controler 142 122 101 90
390121 Obstsortierder/in Fruit sorter 17 16 13 12
390123 Prüfer/in Inspector 51 50 41 39
390126 Werkstättenhelfer/in Assistant in the garage 657 561 522 508
390199 Sontige Warensortierer, -nachseher, -adjuster, -verpacker (m./w.) Other warehouse profession (sorters, checkers, packers etc) 23 11 14 13
395101 Archivarbeiter Registry worker 29 23 22 20
395102 Expeditarbeiter Expedition worker 163 147 130 148
395103 Handelsarbeiter Commercial worker 1,656 1,432 1,199 1,141
395104 Hofarbeiter/in (Magazin-/ Lagerarbeiter/innen und Verladung) Warehouse worker (warehousing and embarking)  21 17 13 11
395106 Kuhlhausarbeiter/in Cold store worker 16 14 12 10
395107 Lagerarbeiter/in Warehouse worker 4,958 4,610 4,148 4,567
395108 Lagerplatzarbeiter/in Warehouse worker 56 46 42 36
395109 Magazinarbeiter/in Warehouse worker 163 127 101 85
395110 Platzarbeiter/in Garage worker 72 65 51 56
395111 Regalbetreuer/in Caretaker of rack 391 367 342 403
395112 Verladearbeiter/in Embarker 59 54 55 49
395113 Versandarbeiter/in Send worker 307 267 218 207
395114 Zeitungsexpeditarbeiter/in Daily journal expedition worker 36 39 30 21
395115 Kohlentrager/in Coal carrier 23 16 12 12
395119 Warenzusteller/in Sender of goods 91 107 106 146
395120 Warenubernehmer/in Supplier 58 57 43 48
395122 Markthelfer/in Stallholder 20 23 20 23
395123 Kommissionierer/in Commissioner 249 243 204 221
395126 Lagerleiter/in (Arbeiter/innen Magazin/ Lager/ Verladung) Warehouse manager 103 114 103 116
395127 Versandleiter Manager of sending 21 26 24 21
395128 Posthilfsbedienstele/r Post worker 18 30 44 68
395199 Sontige Magazin-, Lagerarbeiter-, Verlader-, Warenzusteller (m./w.) Other warehouse professions (higher level) 39 32 27 23

N.B. the data are selected on base on number of occurrence. There must be at least 10 unemployed persons of a job in 2001 to be taken up in the table. The other professions, less than 10, are included with the title other warehouse professions.

The AMS also has a careers advisory role, giving advice and information about the choice of education and profession. The AMS therefore has a number of job descriptions at various levels, for example for professions within the dual system. Linked to the latter, they have also data about the number of persons registered at the AMS that are seeking apprenticeship professions. The numbers available are presented in table 1.7. Because there is a close link between logistics and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), a specific commercial apprenticeship profession in this area is also included. The numbers show that these types of professions in logistics play a very small role in the total number of apprenticeship professions.

Table 1.7. Number of persons seeking for an apprenticeship profession, June 2002
Apprenticeship profession Persons seeking a place for this apprenticeship profession
Forwarding agent (Speditionskaufmann) 7
Warehouse worker (Fachmann fuer Lagerlogistik) N.A. (number is low anyhow)
EDI-commercial worker (EDV-Kaufmann) 7
Total (all professions) 2822

4.2 Chambers of Commerce
Because the social partners play an important role in the apprenticeship system, the chambers of commerce (Wirtschaftskammer Oesterreich) have data about the number of apprentices in the various professions. However, they only have "open" information about the most important professions. Detailed statistical information about the number of apprentices in the various professions is only available for members. However, the types of professions relevant to logistics can be found in table 1.7.

5 - Conclusions and perspectives

The principle of using occupational classification of labour market data is well established in both the central statistical office and the public employment service. In the labour force survey, data is available at ISCO-3 digit level which can also be crossed by sector. However, in this case, the cells become very small and the margins of uncertainty become large.

II - NATIONAL SITUATION FOR JOB DESCRIPTIONS IN LOGISTICS

1 - Overview of national situation

Logistic activities are often included in the new social agreement for the forwarding sector. Logistic activities do not exclusively fall under this agreement, however. In this agreement there are no worked out job profiles, though warehouse workers are mentioned as such. The Public Employment Service in Austria has a database on the Internet with descriptions of jobs in logistics. This is categorized according to educational levels. Another source, at least for training profiles in the dual system is the department of Economy and work (Bundesministerium fur Wirtshaft und Arbeit, http://www.bmaa.gv.at/). For a number of relevant professions in the dual system, they have a description of the job and the curriculum.

2 - Job descriptions for the purpose of collective bargaining/social dialog

We have found out that a lot of jobs in logistics fall under the social agreement for the "forwarding sector". This social agreement exists since 2002. The employers organization negotiating this agreement is called the "Fachverband der Spediteure in der Wirtshaftskammer Osterreich" An interesting fact is that recently the forwarding sector of the economic chamber in Austria has changed its name to "Spedition & Logistik", forwarding and logistics. No specific logistic descriptions have been described in this agreement, but rather the levels of responsibility and the rights that come with that responsibility as was negotiated in the creation of this treaty. A lot of functions in logistics get their social agreement in this sector. We do have to mention that they have left the possibility open for workers to get into the social agreement of their own particular sector. Warehouse workers, however are mentioned specifically in this social agreement and are considered to be a definite part of it.

Contact with the "Wirtshaftskammer Osterreich" has led to the answer that logistics is a big part of the forwarding business, but not exclusively so. The change in name of the department to "forwarding and Logistics" represents the importance, not any type of binding exclusiveness.

3 - Job descriptions for the purpose of employment/vocational career guidance

3.1 Public Employment Service Austria
The AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich) has created an Internet database with a lexicon for all possible professions (AMS-Berufslexikon, http://www.ams.or.at/neu/index.htm). In this database young people can search for professions by sector or via an alphabetical listing. The aim of the database is to help young people choose an education by providing them with all necessary information on professions and functions.
The database contains information on: general tasks, demands of the job, career-possibilities, training requirements and training-institutes.

The database is divided into sectors and levels of training; it is also possible to search the database by an alphabetical list of all professions.

The levels of training are divided into the following groups:
  • Professions with short or no training (Berufe mit/ohne Kurzausbildung)
  • Apprenticeships in the dual system (Lehrberufe)
  • Intermediate and Higher vocational education (BHS-/BMS-Berufe)
  • University (Akademische Berufe)
The following professions relevant to logistics included in the AMS database are sorted by training level:
Professions with short or no training (Berufe mit/ohne Kurzausbildung):
  • Warehouse worker (Lagerarbeiter)
  • Forklift driver (Staplerfahrer)
Apprenticeships in the dual system (Lehrberufe):
  • Purchaser (Einkäufer)
  • Skilled warehouseworker (Fachmann / Fachfrau für Lagerlogistik)
Intermediate and Higher vocational education (BHS-/BMS-Berufe):
  1. Professions in the field of Logistics, Trade, Export and Sales (BHS-/BMS-Berufe im Bereich Logistik, Handel, Export und Vertrieb):
    • Planner (Disponent)
    • Export expert (Exportkaufmann)
    • Logistician (transport and warehouse) (Logistiker (Transport und Lagerung)

  2. Professions in the field of Management (BHS-/BMS-Berufe im Bereich Management)
    • Manager-procurement and purchasing (Manager im Bereich Einkauf, Beschaffung)
    • Logistics manager (Manager im Bereich Logistik)
    • Materials manager (Manager im Bereich Materialwirtschaft)

  3. Professions in the field of procurement, materials and warehousing (BHS-/BMS-Berufe im Bereich Einkauf, Materialwirtschaft und Lagerwirtschaft)
    • Procurement manager (Beschaffungsmanager)
    • Purchaser (Einkäufer)
    • Warehouse supervisor (Lagerverwalter)
    • Warehouse expert (Lagerwirtschafter, Logistiker)
    • Materials expert (Materialwirtschafter)
Professions on university level (Akademisch Berufe):
  1. University level professions in the field of purchasing, materials and warehousing (Akademisch Berufe im Bereich Einkauf, Materialwirtschaft und Lagerwirtschaft):
    • Procurement manager (Beschaffungsmanager)
    • Purchaser (Einkäufer)
    • Warehousing expert (Lagerwirtschafter)
    • Manager - purchasing and procurement (Manager (Einkauf, Beschaffung))
    • Materials manager (Manager (Materialwirtschaft), Materialwirtschafter)

  2. University level professions in the field of Logistics and Logistics Management (Akademisch Berufe im Bereich Logistik und Logistikmanagement)
    • Logistics manager (Logistik-Manager)
    • Logistician - transport and warehousing (Logistiker (Transport und Lagerung))

The database is continuously updated. A more detailed picture of the structure of these job descriptions is given in three examples in annex 1, annex 2 and annex 3.

4 - Job descriptions for the purpose of training

In Austria children begin their education at the age of six and are obliged to stay in school till they are sixteen. After finishing compulsory education pupils can either enter into a dual system of vocational school (Berufsschule) and a training company or they can further their development in school.

The Austrian school system is set up in such a way that it is possible for all pupils to reach the highest level of education. The graduates from intermediate and higher vocational education can proceed to higher education. For people without a vocational education degree it is possible to gain access to higher education by passing an entrance exam. To be eligible for this entrance exam it is necessary the applicant has qualified for the apprenticeship exam (Berufsreifeprüfung) and has gathered knowledge through work-experience involved in the apprenticeship.

Vocational training is basically offered on four different levels:
  1. The first level is the dual system of vocational school (Berufsschule) and in-company training, the Lehrberufe (learning functions) are apprenticeships combined with more theoretical training in school. In-company training to become a skilled worker usually takes a minimum of three years dependant upon the function. After obtaining an apprenticeship diploma, a pupil can gain access to higher education by taking an exam (Berufsreifeprüfung).
  2. Secondary technical and vocational schools provide intermediate vocational education (Berufsbildende Mittlere Schule, BMS) and prepare their students for a position as a skilled worker in a specialized field. The BMS mainly offer practical training, in addition to these practical goals the BMS aims to broaden the pupils general knowledge. The BMS program usually lasts three years.

  3. Secondary technical and vocational colleges (Berufsbildende Höhere Schule, BHS) provide higher vocational education and prepare students for positions as highly skilled specialists. The courses at the BHS consist of occupation-related practical training and theory as well as general knowledge. BHS courses generally last five years.

  4. Higher education can be divided into two general directions: the specialized institutes of higher education (Fachhochschule) and the universities:
    • Higher education institutes (Fachhochschule) offer students a preparation for employment in a highly qualified position. This includes courses with specific content on the chosen field of interest and expertise as well as the development of more general and social skills. After graduation the students have a diploma with the status of an academic degree and can proceed, subject to provisions, with doctorate studies at university.
    • Universities can lead to an academic qualification diploma first degree or a doctorate qualification. First-degree courses are aimed at preparing the student for employment in a highly qualified position. The doctorate qualification has a more academic approach.

As well as first degree and doctorate courses, universities offer special programs that do not lead to a diploma or doctorate qualification. These are specialized courses that lead to titles such as: Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Advanced Studies (MAS).

This educational system is the basis for the structure of the database the AMS has created (section 3). However, some profiles can be more directly found in the education system itself.

Within the dual system very extensive descriptions of professions exist. These descriptions are officially published (and developed) by the Austrian department of Economy and work (Wirtshaft und Arbeit). These descriptions include several things, but also a job profile.
Four profiles are of particular interest: purchaser (einkaufer); logistics assistant (logistik assistent); skilled warehouse worker (Fachkraft fur lagerlogistik) and worker forwarding logistics (Speditionslogistik):
  • Logistic assistant:
    This job profile profile has not been submitted officially yet.
    The Logistic Assistant has to be able to perform the following tasks independently:
    • Carrying out tasks in the area of Logistics management
    • Processing logistic concepts
    • Calculating and otherwise assisting logistic activities
    • Perform job related tasks in the Administration area
    • Using methods of analyzing common for Logistics Management
    • Having a presentation
    • Being able to use basic Rhetorical and Methodical skills
    • Being able to perform tasks in the warehousing area
    • Being able to organize and carry out the logistic steering process
    • Being able to delegate and check
    • Using multi media applications
    • Working correctly under supervision and pressure
    • Using quality-management systems
    • Planning and steering careers, evaluating performance and documenting this
    • Being able to carry out simple logistic control tasks.

  • Skilled warehouse worker:
    • Being able to receive en control goods
    • Being able to pack, unpack an repack goods
    • Being able to use technical equipment used in warehouses
    • Being able to make use of properties of goods for a better performance
    • Being able to prepare goods for shipment and to actually send the goods
    • Helping with the creation and adaptation of the company's logistic concepts
    • Using communication and information applications
    • Making use of information obtained in the data exchange with other companies
    • Being able to document things
    • The ability to do job related calculation work
    • Being able to make, use and work on job related paperwork.

5 - Job descriptions within companies

We visited a forwarding company in Austria. The company is named Kuhne & Nagel. This visit proved that there are indeed job definitions within companies.
In this company there are the following logistics job titles:
  • Receivers
  • Komissionierer (picker)
  • Staplerfahrer (Forklift driver)
  • Fertigkontroller (checking outbound)
  • Lagerleiter (leaders of teams)

From this the most "official" titles are "Kommisionierer" and "Lagerleiter". For these jobs there are official profiles. The official profile for "Kommissionierer" is in practice more broad and includes some parts of the other jobs.

6 - Conclusions and perspectives

An elaborate system of job classification and dedcriptions is available by the Public Employment Service. However, other sources are rather poor. The most relevant Social agreement, on forwarding (including a lot of logistic activities), does not contain any job descriptions. Within the dual system some very elaborate job descriptions can be found. An interesting example is the profile that is currently being developed of the function logistics assistant. These are available through the site of the department of economy and work since the have been defined notionally. We have to mention however, that companies can still use their own descriptions. The company Kühne & Nagel that we visited is a good example.

III - ANNEX

Annex A JUSTIFICATION OF THE SELECTION ON 3-DIGIT LEVEL 64 Ko
Annex 1 AMS DATABASE-LOGISTICS JOB DESCRIPTIONS: PROCUREMENT MANAGER (EXAMPLE 1) 83 Ko
Annex 2 AMS DATABASE-LOGISTICS JOB DESCRIPTIONS: PURCHASER (EXAMPLE 2) 77 Ko
Annex 3 AMS DATABASE-LOGISTICS JOB DESCRIPTIONS: LOGISTICIAN (EXAMPLE 3) 91 Ko