Transportation services are valuable to cities across the world; they keep everything moving, from retail businesses that need inventories to organizations that need goods delivered. This industry connects businesses to its customers, and in today’s commercial landscape, businesses to the world. As such, jobs in the transportation and logistics industry are in demand.
Whether you’re a loader and unloader or a trucker, your skills and experience have an impact:
A Key Role in Economy
Transportation can shape economies. It can increase productivity. It can open up new markets for businesses. It can boost jobs and labor market accessibility. Transportation influences many development decisions because it is an economic indicator and it can promote international trade. If this sector isn’t performing efficiently or if laborers don’t get the compensation they require, a dispute could bring cities to a standstill.
Even a strike from dockworkers can create economic damage due to shipping delays and increased fees for trucks. Consider the dockworker dispute in Washington state regarding an expired contract. The protracted labor dispute cost $770 million, according to the Washington Council on International Trade. The amount covers delinquent shipments, cost of warehousing and truck idling fees. Many local businesses are still reeling from its impact, especially those that deal with importation.
Efficiency in Supply Chain Boosts E-Commerce
People are increasingly buying online. E-commerce brands, like Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay are moving goods across the globe at greater frequencies today than before. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports consumers spent $513.61 billion in 2018, which is an increase of 14.2 percent from 2017. E-commerce is further taking up a larger portion of the retail pie, rising in increments from 11.6 percent in 2016 to 12.9 percent in 2017 to 14.3 percent in 2018.
Forrester projects the industry’s growth from 2017 to 2022 at 17 percent. A DHL report meanwhile sees cross-border sector taking up 22 percent of deliveries in 2020.
With massive demands internationally, the transportation and logistics industry has to keep up. Even more so today because e-commerce brands are promising shorter delivery times. Some online retailers offer same-day delivery service while others provide two-hour deliveries.
With enhanced efficiency in the supply chain, from transportation to warehousing, e-commerce businesses are able to meet their customers’ demands. This includes the return of goods. They are also able to access global opportunities like never before.
Better Infrastructure
A booming industry has a natural effect on the development of cities. When demand for goods increase and businesses improve profits as well gain opportunities for expansion, the government responds with better infrastructure. The construction of new roads, bridges, and improvement of streets give way to better accessibility for everyone. Whether it’s a trucker getting a new and faster route or employees choosing to ride a Metro line than use their car, new infrastructure improves cities. The supply chain industry enhances its efficiency even further. Businesses are able to meet their customers’ needs better. And employees are able to access previously inaccessible jobs, which also indicate a larger pool of talent for businesses.
The transportation and logistics industry is complex. But its most basic function can impact cities across the globe. And at its core is the fundamental necessity of experienced and skilled professionals.
