new competencies and
innovations in logistics

The statistics in Sweden focus on industrial classifications and it is therefore very difficult to get a total overview of all the logistic jobs and functions. The statistics only show the traditional logistic sectors i.e. sectors where there historically and traditionally executed logistics activities (transport and trade). The sectorial approach however will also naturally include non-logistics functions and jobs.

It is not possible to obtain occupational updated statistical information as this type of data is gathered infrequently. The most recent statistical information available is 14 years old and has therefore not been included in this research. Statistics Sweden is currently undertaking a new occupational statistical research the results of which are already expected.

2.1 Statistics sources in Sweden
Statistics Sweden is a central government authority for official statistics and other government statistics and in this capacity also has the responsibility for coordinating and supporting the Swedish system for official statistics.

The statistics related to supply and demand on the labour market, wage formation and labour costs, the working environment, etc. take the form of statistics on individuals, statistics on enterprises and statistics based on administrative sources, and also include forecasting. All types of legal forms with some kind of economical activity are included in Statistics Sweden's Business Register, regardless of which sector they belong to. A questionnaire is sent out each year to all enterprises with more than one local unit.

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is carried out on an ongoing basis. The objectives of this survey are to describe the current employment conditions and to give information on the development of the labour market. Statistics Sweden is the main source of statistical information in Sweden. Statistical information on logistics functions comes from various sources primarily direct from companies.

When using these sources of statistical information it is necessary to take into account that small Swedish companies do not have to report to Statistics Sweden. Therefore these statistics are not directly comparable to statistics in other countries. Statistics Sweden will from time to time make individualised statistical treatments and research if special investigations are required.

National statistical information is published in different forms, journals, and reports and in the special Statistics database. This database service is free of charge. It is possible to consult various tables on this site. The main language is Swedish, but several of the tables are available in English. For more detailed information and/or special focus it is possible to ask for special queries. These queries can e.g. increase the detail level on information compared to the available information direct on www.scb.se.

2.2 Statistical coverage of logistics jobs in Sweden
ISCO-88 (or similar) classified data is not collected on a regular basis in Sweden. Some ad hoc research is undertaken occasionally. Statistics Sweden made the most recent report in 1990. This survey looked into living standards as a whole, which included some labour market statistics as well as information on income level.

Statistics Sweden is currently completing a report into living standards, which includes elements of occupational data, but we do not expect any direct connections to logistics jobs and functions.

It is not presently known whether such statistical surveys on the logistics sector will be undertaken on a regular basis in the future. In the event of frequent studies of this nature, a change in the system of data selection should be required, as there is no adequate system for automatic data selection is in place. As a consequence it is not possible to obtain reliable frequently statistical information for logistics functions based on an occupational approach.

Swedish statistical information on employee numbers is classified by industrial codes. This classification, the SNI91, is based on NACE (Nomenclature générale des Activités économiques dans les Communautés Européennes). It is therefore possible to use the same codes as NACE when consulting statistical tables. It is however not possible to obtain a breakdown of logistics jobs across a range of sectors in Sweden. Table 1 shows employment across a range of industrial sectors.

In using this classification it has to be taken into account that many of the employees in each category have functions not directly related to logistics. Employees are allocated to an SNI91 classification according to the primary activity of the company as a whole rather than according to the actual function performed in the company.

Even though the sectorial approach does not give a clear picture of logistics functions and jobs it can show some trends of development. One special interesting sector is "Other Transport Services", which shows an increasing trend during the period 1995 to 2000. This sector has different services, which include shipping agency, warehouses, but also tourist agency and airport services. The increase of employees in this sector can indicate that the logistics structures are changing due to outsourcing of logistics activities from other sectors.

Diagram 1. Employment by sector

An interesting area shown in table 1 is “Overland transport”, which has a decreasing trend both in actual figures and percentage wise. This is not directly related to the logistics functions in the Novalog nomenclature, but traditionally this sector has many logistics functions as warehousing, picking and packing. It is therefore interesting to follow the trends here as it can indicate changes in the structure of industries.

The official Swedish statistic is focused on the industrial classification and it is therefore not possible to show the exact total amount of employees within logistics job functions. Occupational data are only collected ad hoc in relation to other investigations of income and social conditions.

Therefore it is not possible to show in what industries to find the logistics functions. Even without this information, it is however possible to show a general view of the complexity in the industries, and some general trends. Related to the industrial data, it is possible to see that two close connected industrial groups: “Overland transport” and “Other transport services” is changing these years in opposite directions presumably due to outsourcing in other sectors.

The majority of Swedish employees are trade union members and employers are also well organised in terms of union representation. All central employers’ organisations have their own member unions negotiating the labour agreements with the central employees organisations. It is not common practise in Sweden to have specific job definitions or job titles within collective agreements. There are a few examples where border discussions between two unions have made it necessary to specify some job details.

Other sources provide jobs definitions and jobs titles. There is a very useful database in the education and training system, which shows educational programs and training supplied by official authorities. In this database there is a description of each educational program which is related to a specific job description. The structure of these jobs descriptions allows candidates and employers to know precisely what are the job's contents, in terms of activities performed, required trainings, career perspectives, wages.

Sweden has a long tradition of an organised labour market with a high percentage of employees organised in unions. Unions are mainly related to industries, and it is therefore difficult to find logistics functions within specific industries.

2.1 Structure of social agreements
Social agreements in Sweden have different levels, at the highest level there will not normally be job titles and job definitions. These agreements will typically describe the co-operation at a higher level such as terms of working hours and wage levels. The next level of agreement is the locally settled agreements between companies and employees’ shop stewards. These locally settled agreements describe in detail the local co-operation.

In general job definitions can be found in a few collective agreements, however no logistics job descriptions can be found. Even the truck drivers agreement between Swedish Transportation employees Union (Svenska Transportarbetareförbund) www.transport.se and (Biltrafikens arbetsgivareförbund) www.trafikgruppen.se do not include job descriptions related to logistics functions.

3.1 Public placement services (Arbetsförmedlingen-AMS)
The public placement service in Sweden has 550 offices located in 21 counties. They are in direct contact with the recruiting companies, employees and the unemployed.

The public placement service has a national database for all registered jobs, it can be consulted via the following homepage: www.ams.se.
These jobs are grouped into different classifications to facilitate the search for jobs and there is an important effort to integrate the evolutions of each job and its challenges. The Swedish National Labour Market Administration’s classification gives a short description of the typical tasks for each function (http://yrken.ams.se/beskrivning.asp?yrken=Truckf%F6rare).

The following logistics related jobs can be found in the classification:

• Forklift driver (Truckförare)
• Logistician/ Planner (Logistiker/ Verksamhetsplanerare)
• Warehouse Operator (Lagerarbetare)
• Warehouse manager (Lagerchef)

For each job function in the classification, there is a description of what the function includes, what qualifications and training is required and details of career options and wages.

Truckförare (Forklift driver)
Activities
Forklift drivers use to work in a warehouse, in a hub, mainly in industrial or trade companies.

Minimal requirements concern the physical abilities to work indoor and outdoor, an ability to assess height and balance, a good physical co-ordination and reflexes and the ability to get work done alone or in co-operation with others.
Some specificities are linked with the place where the job is performed; industrial companies imply that the forklift drivers have to drive from a site to another. Trade activities are more restricted to the relations between the warehouse and shop units.

The three main activities are the following:

• Carrying out instructions regarding the movement of product
• Ability and concern to ensure safety at all times
• Ensuring the maintenance of the vehicle

The tools that are commonly used to perform the job are the vehicle and the computer (various IT systems are used in companies, according to the sectors, etc.). In most cases, the worker has to wear a specific working uniform, with helmet, ears protection, and specific clothes in some conditions (non frigorific storage).

Training
The training required to perform the job is the high school (gymnasiet) or the vocational training which is called "komvux" in Sweden, dedicated to adults from 22 years.

There is no specific requirement to perform the activities. It is necessary to drive forklifts to meet two requirements: the specific vehicle driving license is compulsory, and to be aged of 18 is the other condition.

The function profile for forklift driver has been developed for the education in the dual system. The dual system is based on centrally defined functions which are qualified as training jobs. The dual system refers to the fact that the vocational education is divided between vocational school and in-company training.
All professions in the dual system are subject to guidelines with minimum requirements for the pupils. The function profile contains the actual legislation for the training job, this includes: the framework for the practical part of the education programme divided in subject matter and time schedule, a listing of organizations where an exam can be taken and a listing of branches in which the education programs can be executed. The second part of the function profile contains a framework for the theoretical part of the education programme, to be executed in a vocational school, this includes: the learning objectives, subject matter and time schedule. The framework contains all theoretical subject matter.

Job Perspectives
It is common now that the forklift drivers, like other warehouse operators, work with the interim agencies and change of company when possible.
Therefore, job perspectives are not easy to emphasize. The main trend observed is that forklift drivers become polyvalent and the job is less routine's than it used to be. The drivers' activities are about to change and the skills required are extending. For example, a complementary training in transport could help to have a job evolution in the transport and logistics planning.

Wages
Wages depend on the branch and the sector where the driver is employed.
The wages are about 17 300 to 22 500 Swedish K.

Other information
The specificity could also come from the specificity of some vehicles.

As the description of the warehouse operator is very similar to the forklift driver (with some differences related to the packing activities that are increasing in the last few years, and to the very important autonomy required in the warehouse operations), the other description which is more pertinent is the description of the operations planner:

Logistician/ Planner (Logistiker/ Verksamhetsplanerare)
Activities
Logisticians are managing the organisation of the logistics services in a company.

Their job is composed of the following activities :

• Co-ordinates production scheduling, quality control, labour requirements, materials requirements and finished goods stock.
• Controls costs within the production department.

As such, their activities mainly depend on the type of logistics organisation, on the sector, on the company's activities and on the specific competencies of the person who performs the job.

Training
After high school, the required diploma is a technical diploma or logistics certificate obtained after minimum three years of dedicated training.

The level required is a similar level to the engineer in Sweden.
The first degree consists in industrial organisation whereas a second part of the training is dedicated to the practical dimension and the in-company training. The duration is about three years of theoretical training plus one or two years in company. A good level in mathematics and chemicals is compulsory for this job.

Job Perspectives
What is expected actually in Sweden is a significant increase of this job's proposals. No other logistics job is needed as this one, being at the crossing area of operational and managerial jobs in logistics.
The search for an efficient service at the lowest cost brings companies to use external services at low costs. The planner/logisticians jobs become important with the double dimension of technical competencies and managing competencies.

Wages
Even if wages is strongly dependent from the company policy and the experience of the employee, the minimum wages for this job is around 24000 Swedish K, an the maximum is about 51000 K.

Others jobs descriptions could be integrated in the database as far as they are considered as of any help to the actors of the labour market.

4.1 Silf competence
Silf Competence is a competence development company within Supply Chain Management (http://www.silf.se/). Silf Competence education and consulting businesses are focused on four categories, purchasing/negotiations, e-business, production and logistics. Silf has recently been assigned by The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency to carry out two Advanced International Training Programs on how to be a sub-contractor to Swedish industry.

The company offers several education and training programs, related to supply chain management, and therefore also several programs directly related to logistics.

Examples of logistics training programs from Silf Competence:

• Transport logistics (transportlogistik)
• Basic education in logistics (Grundutbildning i logistik)
• Stock and material handling (Lager och materialhantering)
• Logistics alliances and 3rd party logistics (Logistiska allianser och tredjepartslogistik)

Silf Competence also runs a training program in supply management with international certification. The following programs are supplied:

• Silf Certified Purchaser,CISilf
• Certified Logistician Silf, CLSilf
• Executive Certificate Silf, ECSilf

For all these training and education programs there is a general description of the program, including an objective for the program. Although they are related to jobs in logistics there is no precise job definitions included in the description.

4.2 PLAN (Föreningen för produktionslogistik)
The main objective of Föreningen för produktionslogistik (PLAN) is to promote the professionalism and competence of individuals interested in strategies, concepts and operational issues related to the management of production and the flow of material. This is accomplished through seminars, conferences, study visits at various companies, publications and a bi-monthly magazine (http://www.plan.se/).

PLAN also has a number of educational activities including running training courses and certification of professionals within the area of interest, such as CPIM training and certification. The certification is primary international certificates such as:

• >Basic of Supply Chain Management
• CPIM, Certified in Production and Inventory Management (APICS)
• CFPIM, Certified Fellow in Production and Inventory Management (APICS)
• CIRM, Certified In Resource Management

Examples of other education and training programs:

• Forecast and stock planning (Prognosticeringsmetoder och lagerstyrning)
• MPR Master Planning of Resources / Huvudplanering

For the above mentioned programs, there are no job definitions or functions identified.

4.3 Swedish National Labour Market Administration: Arbetsmarknadsstyrelsen
The Swedish National Labour Market Administration is a central part of the vocational education system in Sweden. The administration provides up-to-date information about all-round education, vocational training and higher education throughout the country. Information covers training options, educational establishments and the period of application, entrance requirements and curricula as well as ways to finance studies. The website www.ams.se, is available to search for education and training programmes all over Sweden.

Job definitions are not provided directly, but are indirectly stated through the description of the education/training.

Examples of logistics education/training from AMV are the following:

• Logistics developer (Logistikutvecklare): Part of a higher education course
• Enterprise logistics (Affärslogistik)
• Logistics and transport management (Logistik och transportledning)
• Warehouse and terminal clerk (Lager- och terminalarbete)

4.4 TYA - The Vocational Training and Working Environment Council (Transport Trades)
This organisation is a non-profit-making association set up by the labour market parties within the transport sector in Sweden. Some sectors of the transport branch are not covered by the activities of TYA (http://www.tya.se). Thus, shipping as well as railroad and air transports are excluded due to the dividing lines between different labour unions.

Eight employers´ associations and five white and blue-collar unions own TYA. The activities of TYA are financed by a membership fee, which is paid by all employers covered by the relevant agreements within the trades. The fee is 0,20% of the total sum of salaries paid whereas the total number of employees embraced by the agreements is about 110.000. The annual turnover of TYA is approximately 90 millions SEK (10 million Euro) and the number of staff amounts to 35.

The main tasks are:

• to develop and produce training tools of all kinds, e.g. compendiums, books, videos, interactive video programs and, occasionally, training equipment
• to carry out vocational training and working environment education (law, agreements, checklists etc.). Annually, they arrange some 70 courses in different subjects relevant to transport trades
• to influence educational authorities and other institutions, to consider the views held by the TYA principals
• to follow, report on and take action to improve the working environment conditions
• to introduce a higher degree of awareness of the effects of the working environment and personal habits on your own quality of life.

For all the education programmes run by the organisation, no job definitions or functions can be identified.

Job definitions or titles in logistics are used differently in companies all over Sweden. No standard job titles and definitions have been identified within different lines of business. When companies recruit employees through job advertisement, there is normally a short description of the actual job function, but these descriptions vary from company to company.

For example, in recruitment advertisements companies use a more detailed job description than that used in the afore AMS mentioned classification. The following job titles were found:

• Logistics assistant (logistikassistent)
• Logistics manager (logistikchef)
• Logistics engineer (logistikingenjör)

5.1 Job databases
There are several Internet job databases of job advertisements. Typically there are no formal job definitions or titles in these advertisements, but instead there is a job title and a description made by the recruiting company. Input to these databases comes from newspapers, public placement services, companies or other institutions.

The organisation for purchasing and logistics (Organisationen för indköb och Logistik) is a civil service association, whose members have special interests in the area of purchasing and logistics. The association does not have any available job descriptions. More details on this association can be found on the following website: http://www.iolservice.se.

In Sweden there is a very useful tool for use when education/training is required. This tool is a database describing educational and training programmes supplied by public authorities. This Swedish National Labour Market Administration database can also help with education and training orientation, because it includes more than 500 job descriptions. It is possible for the user to select a general direction, and afterwards to select a specific education/training. This system however, is not used for grouping of available jobs in the placement services databases.

In public placement services common job titles are used for job advertisements. For searching within the system, there are some subcategories, but there is no direct connection between the titles in the subcategories and the 500 job descriptions.

In Sweden there is a strong tradition for collective agreements. The collective agreements researched for this project do not include either job titles or job definitions. The primary focus for these agreements is working hours and wage conditions. The collective agreements are made between unions and employers' association. In companies there are also local agreements which may include some minor job descriptions related to border issues with other unions, but generally it is not common to have specific job definitions in local agreements in Sweden.