As the logistics industry progresses towards achieving net-zero, new skills and investment will be needed to support the transition to this goal and new technologies to sustain it.
UK recruitment agency Morson Talent has estimated there will be a need for 175,000 new jobs within the transport sector alone by 2032. The new roles include fuel experts, green aerospace and hydrogen electrolysis engineers. If the freight industry is to move forward greener then the workforce behind the drive need to be skilled accordingly.
The UK government has been making investments across the sector and especially in aviation. Research and development have been aimed at driving the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels, developing zero-emission aircraft and the infrastructure of the future at UK airports. In order to attain this sustainability key knowledge of eco-friendly technologies, sustainable logistics practices and environmental regulations is needed across all modes of freight, including sea and road.
According to Air Cargo News the vast majority of air freight workforce will remain working in the logistics industry, but highlights that a large part of this workforce will need to be retrained and upskilled in low and zero emission technologies to enable the UK to meet its net-zero targets.
However, more is required and European Governments, along with the freight industry, need to focus their efforts on transferring existing skills, as well as upskilling and attracting new talent into the logistics sector.
These ‘green’ skills are fundamental for ensuring the success of more sustainable alternatives in the freight industry.
Off course adopting green skills will come at a price. Modifications to infrastructure, fuel and training all add cost which are difficult to pass on to consumers and risk stalling the implementation. Governments need to provide not just the strategy and 10 year plans, but also the investment.
TCB Group are committed to sustainability and it vital we all play our part, should that be lobbying Government or switching to multi-modal and away from higher polluting transport.