new competencies and
innovations in logistics

Traditionally, the criterion of occupation is important in Germany, because the education system is closely linked to well-defined professions in the labour market. About two thirds of the inflow in the labour market goes through the dual training system, which is organised by professions.

The reason for the importance attached to the classifications of professions is linked to the statistical situation. Both the statistical office (Statistisches Bundesamt) as well as the IAB -Institut für Arbeitsmarkt und Berufsforschung (which is linked to the Ministry of Social Affairs) use occupational classification in their statistics at a rather disaggregate level. A detailed occupational classification of the labour force survey can be crossed with a number of main sectors. The IAB has a rather disaggregate level of occupations statistics for both employment and unemployment, which can also be crossed with a number of other criteria, these figures are easily accessible on the Internet site (www.pallas.iab.de). Relevant statistical information about participation in professions in the dual training system is also available from the BIBB (Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung).

2.1 Central statistical office- classification system
In the Federal Republic of Germany the official statistics has a number of surveys/ sources at its disposal, from which information concerning employment can be withdrawn (Statistisches Bundesamt Deutschland, Federal Statistical Office Germany http://www.destatis.de/e_home.htm)

The in most cases short-term establishment respectively enterprise surveys observe the current business situation in important economic sectors (for e. monthly report of gainfully employed in power and water supply, monthly report of gainfully employed in mining, quarrying and manufacturing, monthly report of gainfully employed in building industry, wholesale trade, retail trade and commercial agency and the quarterly reports on handicrafts). These surveys enable statements for the complete annual course in view to important selected sections of the economy. However, for these short-term statistics performance limitations must be considered as for the current reporting the employment on small establishment (<20 employees) is not included. However, once a year these are recorded in a report on small establishment.
The short-term statistics are completed and actualised by annually and long-term total surveys for selected sections of the economy.

In addition the employee statistic by the Federal Labour Office covers continuously the economy as a monthly and quarterly survey. However, it is limited to the part of employees covered by the social security system, which means that information about the employees non covered by the social security system (self-employed persons, unpaid family workers and civil servants) is missing.
In addition information about civil servants, blue-collar workers and white-collar workers in the public service are supplied once are year by the statistics of public service personnel.

Further, within the framework of the German Mikrozensus (household sample) respective the EU-Labour Force Survey (EU-LFS) economically structural figures about all employed persons are collected once a year. The microcensus conducted on an annual basis has a sample of one percent of the population (about 820,000 persons in 370,000 households) and thus is the largest sample survey in Germany. The importance of the microcensus, which was conducted for the first time in 1957, is without doubt the result of its design as a multi-purpose sample. The function of the microcensus is to provide statistical information on the population structure, the economic and social situation of the population, families and households, the labour market, the occupational structure, education and housing situation in a detailed subject-matter and regional breakdown.

Within the underlying classification system, the following occupations relate to the area of logistics and transport (table 2.1). The occupations mentioned in the table do not include procurement and sales occupations, for which also a large number of occupations are distinguished in the classification system.

2.2 Logistics related employment statistics
Table 2.2 illustrates data for total employment in a number of logistics related professions. The first four professions of table 2.1 are not included in table 2.2, as data is not available at a 4-digit level, for reasons of statistical reliability. In general most professions have a relatively stable proportion in total employment, however in recent years the warehouse workers have seemed to grow in importance in relation to total employment. This data can also be broken down further to reflect for example region, gender, etc.

The figures for 2001 in table 2.2 show that the proportion of the selected occupations compared to total employment amounts to 5.9 %.

In table 3.1 a division of the employment in these occupations is given over a number of sectors. In the "warehouse"-related occupations, manufacturing is important as well as wholesale/retail. The more "typical" transport occupations, including commercial goods transport clerk/forwarder are - not surprisingly - strongly concentrated in the transport sector.

In table 3.2, a similar table is made for 1996 to see if any changes have taken place in the relative position of sectors. What is striking when comparing table 3.3 and 3.2 is that for nearly all occupations, the transport sector was somewhat less important in 1996 than in 2001. The relative importance of the transport sector has increased, which could be a reflection of a trend towards outsourcing of logistical activities to transport companies.

4.1 Ministry of Social Affairs / Public Employment Service
In Germany, the IAB (Institut für Arbeitsmarkt und Berufsforschung)-the Institute for Employment Research, is linked to the Ministry of Social Affairs. This institute operates as the federal employment services research institution. They offer statistical data on most jobs in Germany. This data is linked to the insurance premiums and therefore is limited to employees only (i.e. self-employed workers are not included) and does not include civil servants. Moreover, the IAB also administers unemployment data. They use the same professional classification as the statistical office (see table 2.2). Data is available at 3-digit level and can also be crossed with other criteria as follows:

• Employment (employees, no civil servants). The employment by profession can be split by educational level, sector, age structure, part-time vs. full-time, gender and ethnic background).
• Unemployment. The unemployment data by profession can be split by gender, age, educational level and ethnic background, duration of unemployment.

This data is available on line at the Internet address (www.pallas.iab.de).

The following tables give some examples of the type of information available. In table 4.1 total employment for a number of these professions is given, as well as the proportion in total employment. Total employment figures given are lower than the employment figures given in table 2.2, this is because in this table some groups (self employed and civil servants) are not included. Also employment proportions differ. However, in this table we can see that the warehouse and transport workers group seems to be growing in importance.

N.B. Procurement workers and managers are not distinguished separately in these data.

In table 4.2 the figures for 2000 are split by sector. What is interesting to see is that the warehouse type professions are clustered in the transport sector, but are spread over various sectors. This is similar to the results to be found in the LFS in table 3.1. Trade is an important sector in this respect.

Finally, table 4.3 presents the unemployment rates for a number of these professions. This data is calculated by taking the number of unemployed who aiming for this profession and then dividing these figures by the employed in these professions. The professions requiring a greater skill level have relatively low unemployment levels. In general unemployment rates for these jobs in logistics seem to decrease somewhat strongly than the overall trend.

4.2 Educational sources
Within the dual training system, at least three professions are defined which have an important logistical component: Industriekaufmann(commercial clerk in industry), Speditionskaufmann (forwarder) and Fachkraft fuer Lagerwirtschaft (skilled warehouse worker). The number of trainees in these professions for a number of years are presented in table 4.2.The numbers in the profession "skilled warehouse worker" are growing strongly, although the numbers are still relatively small.

Statistical data in Germany deals with the criterion of occupation on a rather disaggregate level. Because the education system is very much oriented towards the occupational dimension (dual system), this criterion is considered to be very important. This situation is reflected in the availability of data. For a number of logistical professions employment and unemployment data is available on a regular basis. Furthermore, various crossings can be made.

Because the German vocational training system is very oriented towards the dimension of profession, some elaborate profiles in this framework can be found. Moreover, the German Employment Agency also offers job descriptions for a number of relevant occupations.

The German social agreements make no mention of logistics or of specific function profiles. There is a wide variety in social agreements in Germany, as social agreements are made in each different region (Bundesländer) and with individual companies. Our contact person has not heard of any collective agreements covering logistic activities as a whole. Investigations indicate that there are very few function classifications in any of these agreements and certainly no classifications specifically linked to logistics. The agreements focus on professional levels of activities and responsibility and not on occupations.

Job and training information is available on the German Federal Employment Service (Bundesanstalt für Arbeit) website http://berufenet.arbeitsamt.de. This information complements the KURS database for training and further training (Aus- und Weiterbildung). KURS is a database for retraining and further training only - not for initial vocational training. Berufenet - another database - could be a better source of information because it contains initial vocational training plus other training venues.

In the Berufenet database, several job descriptions are available which are linked to logistics.

Examples are (jobs with various training requirements):

• Management Expert Procurement (Beschaffungsbetriebswirt)
• Management Expert Production (Betriebswirt- Produktionswirtschaft)
• Management Expert Logistics (Betriebswirt- Logistik)
• Management Expert Expedition/Transport/Logistics (Betriebswirt- Spedition/Transport/Logistik)
• Production engineer (Logistics) (Produktionstechniker (Logistik))
• E-Logistics-developer (E-Logistik-Entwickler)
• Purchaser (Einkäufer)
• Expert clerk - Logistics (Fachkaufmann - Logistik)
• Skilled employee - Logistics (Fachkraft - Logistik)
• Skilled worker - Warehouse control (Fachkraft - Lagerwirtschaft)
• Warehouse Leader (Meister für Lagerwirtschaft)
• Skilled worker - Inventory control (Fachkraft - Materialwirtschaft)
• Expert clerk - Purchasing and Logistics (Fachkaufmann - Einkauf und Logistik)
• Forklift driver (Gabelstaplerfahrer)
• International assistant Logistics (Internationaler Logistikassistent)
• Warehouse- and Transport worker (Lager- und Transportarbeiter) (without specific training requirements)
• Logistician (Logistiker)
• Supply Chain Manager
• Logistician Economist (Wirtschaftslogistiker)

The information is divided into two parts: the overview of tasks, skills and areas of work and the qualifications required for the profession.

An example of the content of such a job description is included in annex 1.

In Germany approximately two thirds of students start their vocational training in the dual system. The dual system combines in-company training with theoretical studies at a vocational school. Training is based on training occupations defined by the federal government; each occupation stipulates a broad basic vocational education plus a qualification for a variety of related functions.

4.1 The dual vocational training system
There are training occupations with a strong or partial link to the field of Logistics defined in the dual system.

The most important are:

• Skilled warehousing employee (Fachkraft für Lagerwirtschaft)
  The duration of training is three years; the training program includes subjects like planning and organization of logistical processes. A revision of the training regulation will come into force in 2004. A committee of experts has also suggested, naming the training "Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik" (specialist for warehousing logistics). This change in name has been accepted.
• Profession warehouse worker (Fachlagerist/Fachlageristin)
  Where the focus is on handling competences in warehousing (It is basically Fachkraft für Lagerwirtschaft minus most of the monitoring, planning and part of the organizational competences). This is a newly named profile that is currently under development and is due to come into force in 2004. This profile used to be named "Handelsfachpacker". It is going to be two year training.
  Upon completion of the two years of training it is possible to add another extra year to get the title "Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik". Since "Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik" is a three year training, people who start as "Fachlagerist" do not have to invest more time to become "Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik" than people who start this education right away do.
• Forwarding clerk (Speditionskaufmann)
  There has been a revision of the training regulation in 1996 with a stronger logistics bias. One of the learning goals is that of logistics. This consists of:
  • Explaining logistical concepts on the basis of selected examples
  • Explaining the working background of logistics in expedition and the connection with trade and industry in the functions of purchasing, production and distribution
  • Inquiring into the working position of customers and developing customer specific logistical concepts
  • Contribute to drawing up logistical service contracts.
  A revised training program will come into force in 2004. It will put greater emphasis on the implementation of service contracts and the organization of transport service networks. There is the possibility to take an extra unit (Zusatzqualifikation) within this program; this extra unit is for logistical assistant training. The Zusatzqualifikation so far is available only in a few areas of Germany.
• Industrial clerk (Industriekaufmann)
  Within this program there is a module focused on logistics.
  The training in the dual system for Industrial clerk (Industriekaufmann) was changed in 2002; the logistical part of the training consists of:
  • Explaining goals, concepts in the logistical chain
  • Taking into account product specific transport and warehouse regulations
  • Product acceptance, sampling and documentation, assessing means of transport
  • Additionally candidates may specialize during their third year of training in the management of logistic processes.
  For these professions there are function profiles and definitions of training content. An example of one of the function profiles is given in annex 2. For the practical part of the in-company training there are minimum requirements in the educational arrangement (Ausbildungsordnung).
  The Federal Institute for vocational training (Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung) develops the educational arrangements with experts representing employers and employees and then the government issues them.

4.2 Universities and Higher Vocational Instituts
Some research and training institutions have suggested introducing an initial vocational training for a "Logistik Kaufmann" (management assistant in logistics). Yet the relevant players in vocational education and training agree that at present there is no need for such a training specializing. But the importance of logistics will certainly rise in a variety of training schemes - e.g. for the trade sector.

In section 3 we have seen that a quite large number of job profiles exist in the "Berufenet" database. Some of these correspond to certain courses in higher education. In Germany there are many different courses at Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) linked with Logistics. Because of the sheer number of different training providers it is difficult to get a good overview in this area. Although several Universities and Higher Vocational schools offer courses including logistical issues, the logistics element is often a specialization within a course subject such as economics.

Another type of "dual" higher education is provided by the vocational academies (Berufsakademien (BA)). Upon graduation from one of these academies, the graduate has the right to use the addition "Diplomierter - BA" to his professional title. For example upon graduation after three years of training in this type of education, a Management Expert (Betriebswirt), can have the job title: Dipl.-Betriebswirt (BA). These titles are fully recognized by the government.

Training at these professional academies is open to school leavers upon completion of their secondary education (Abiturenten). However, they have to sign a contract with a company willing to train them to complement the theoretical studies in the Academy. This company must be a member company associated with the Academy.

Examples of logistics professions within professional academies are the following:

• Purchaser (Einkäufer), the dual system offers a qualification for a Non-Specific Trader function (kaufmännischen Berufsausbildung).
• Management Expert Expedition/Transport/Logistics (Dipl.-Betriebswirt (BA) - Spedition/Transport/Logistik), higher-level qualification for this function is achieved in the dual system at a vocational academy (Berufsakademie).
• Dispatcher (Expedient), qualifications for this function are available through the dual system by studying the following expert functions: Industrial clerk (Industriekaufmann), Forwarding clerk (Speditionskaufmann) or Skilled Warehouse Worker (Fachkraft für Lagerwirtschaft).

Further information on Logistics education can be found on the website: www.logistik-studium.de. A teacher of the Technical University of Dresden has made this site. He works at the Department of Business Economics and has a specialization in Logistics (TU Dresden, Lehrstuhl für Betriebswirtschaftslehre, insbesondere Logistik). The site contains a collection of education possibilities in the fields of Logistics and Production with approximately 110 links to Higher Vocational Education facilities and universities (Fachhochschule, Universität).

4.3 Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer)
There is also a more official qualification. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer) have developed in 2001 a quite extensive framework for a further training ("Fortbildungberuf") in expert clerk purchasing and logistics (Geprüfter Fachkaufmann Einkauf und Logistik). This includes training goals and training content. This framework brings together the training of three formerly separated further training courses in logistics, supply control and procurement.

Expert clerk purchasing and logistics (Geprüfter Fachkaufmann Einkauf und Logistik)
The training content includes:

• Planning and managing purchasing and logistical processes
• Implementing purchasing and marketing.
• Developing and changing logistical concepts, including the strategic analysis of the logistical chain.
• Workforce management, for instance changing team and project management.
• Effective control and quality management in purchasing and logistics.

There is also a similar qualification for Master in Warehouse economics (gepruefter Meister für Lagerwirtshaft). In this course people are trained in leadership abilities, aspects of business economics and quality of processes in the warehouse. Germany so far lacks a nation wide regulation for something like logistics planner/logistics project developer/supply chain manager or perhaps a specialization in logistics controlling.

The Academy of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer München) has developed offers a training course for logisticians (Logistiker/in) with an IHK-certificate. This course consists of five modules; basics of logistics, logistical information systems, elements of modern company logistics, computer science (logistical software) and logistical controlling. The duration of the training is approximately two years.

In 2001 the Deutsche Aussenhandels und Verkehrs-Akademie (DAV, dr. Stabenau) developed two new profiles and corresponding curricula for two commercial/clerk type of specialized jobs in logistics. These curricula have yet not been put into a practical test.

4.4 Training centers databases
A number of logistics training center databases are available on the Internet, for example the further training information system (WIS - Weiterbildungs-informations-system) www.wis.ihk.de. On this site one can search for events, trainers and further training profiles (Weiterbildungsprofilen).

The website www.logistik-heute.de, is also a source of information on logistics further training (Weiterbildung) (courses, seminars and retraining centers). This is the website of the magazine LOGISTIC HEUTE (use button: "Logistik Links").

From a contact person we understand that some (larger) companies have their own job profiles. He also confirms, however, that these companies do not have the habit to bring these profiles out "in the open", but rather keep them internal.

The German vocational education system is very oriented towards the dimension of professions. This means that for some relevant professions, very elaborate profiles are developed. Within this system, there is constant discussion if changes and adoptions are needed. In 2004 a number of these job profiles will be revised. We have not found job descriptions within social agreements. These agreements are very much focused towards levels of responsibility and less towards specific occupations. However social partners have been asked to consider the definition of standards for further training in logistics. A system of modules qualifying for commercial or management level functions in logistics has been suggested. But further discussion is considered to be needed.