Crucial to ensuring business longevity and profitability, our Introduction to Logistics course will give you insights into logistics and supply chain management. You will learn about competitor analysis, distribution channels, supply chain dynamics and logistics management strategies. You will also study risk mitigation, the procurement cycle, robotics, customer service, drop shipping, warehousing, transport, delivery and inventory management. This course is a fantastic introduction to a range of logistics careers, including as a:

• Supply Chain Manager
• Logistics Professional
• Warehouse Logistics Manager
• Logistics Engineer
• Freight Agent
• Inventory Manager
• Customer Service Representative

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a course that will enable you to pursue logistics careers include:

• Learning about logistics management, inbound and outbound logistics, logistics or supply chain management and the goals and objectives of logistics
• Exploring increased efficiency, responding to efficiency, reducing unexpected events, keeping inventory to a minimum and just-in-time inventory management
• Gaining an understanding of transport cost reduction, improving quality, supply chain channels, the types of distribution channels, and direct and indirect channels
• Studying the nature and value of a product, target market and legal requirements
• Examining competitor activities, global changes and how E-commerce has altered supply chain management, logistics and business
• Understanding strategies and operations, decisions within logistics, customer service and logistics network design
• Attaining knowledge of vertical integration vs. outsourcing, vertical integration, outsourcing (advantages and disadvantages), the components of a logistics strategy and how to develop and design a logistics strategy
• Gaining insights into developing a strategic plan, identifying a key strategic focus, implementing logistic strategies in strategic planning and using Kaizen as a business strategy
• Learning about procurement in terms of the procurement cycle, raw materials, the tendering process and obtaining goods or services
• Exploring forecasting and how to monitor and evaluate supplier performance
• Gaining an understanding of procurement challenges, risk mitigation and reputation
• Studying sustainability, green strategies and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Examining warehouse storage and activities, the purpose of a warehouse, the types of warehouses, including public, private and cooperative warehouses and bonded storage
• Understanding warehouse management systems (WHS), drop shipping and warehousing, how a WHS works and why to use one
• Attaining knowledge of technology affecting warehousing, big data, robotics and autonomous machines, blockchain, tech networks and the cloud
• Gaining insights into warehouse regulation and customer service in warehousing
• Learning about materials in logistics, material handling, material handling equipment, bulk material handling and how to design a material handling system
• Exploring engineered systems, industrial trucks, packaging, storage and handling equipment, materials used for shipping and containers and pallets
• Gaining an understanding of ethical issues and sustainability, the ethical sourcing of materials, ethical packaging and re-using materials
• Studying transportation management and the modes of transport
• Examining road transportation (truck freight) and its benefits and challenges
• Understanding marine transportation (ship freight) and its benefits and challenges
• Attaining knowledge of the Suez Canal construction
• Gaining insights into rail transportation (train freight) and its advantages and disadvantages
• Learning about air transportation (plane freight) and its advantages and disadvantages
• Exploring intermodal transport, delivery scheduling and what tools to use when planning a delivery schedule
• Gaining an understanding of inventory management, including the types of inventories, how inventory is planned and controlled, planning approaches and basic stock methods and the challenges of inventory planning
• Studying the percentage variation method, inaccurate or incomplete data, multiple locations, insufficient order management and human error
• Examining software and systems, automated store ordering, robotic stock handling, blockchain, supply and demand, sensitivity analysis, review systems, and the vendor-managed inventory
• Understanding the toilet paper shortages during COVID and the impact of semiconductor shortage on car manufacturing
• Attaining knowledge of risk management in terms of health and safety, slips, trips and falls, dangerous goods and vehicles in and around the warehouse
• Gaining insights into employee stress and management, the signs and symptoms of stress, the positive and negative side of stress, the symptoms and effects of stress and the simple techniques to reduce stress
• Learning about the chain of responsibility, issues with transportation, political changes, safety recalls, climate change, technology and how to evaluate and mitigate risk
• Exploring time frames, legalities, strategies, tools, and processes to mitigate risk and safety checklists
• Gaining an understanding of root cause analysis, SWOT analysis and the probability impact matrix
• Studying supply chain dynamics, anticipating disruption, thinking creatively, reinvention, the types of change in a business, identifying problems and planning for change
• Examining organisational change management and choosing the right behaviour change intervention
• Understanding reverse logistics, returns, re-selling returns, repairs, recycling, replacements, obsolescence, traceability, mapping and transparency
• Attaining knowledge of building a better supply chain, future technology, artificial intelligence (AI), drone technology, robotics, advances in E-commerce, drop shipping, outsourcing and track and trace

And more!

Common careers in the logistics industry

Logistic careers (including those in the transport industry) are wide and varied and include roles as a consultant, procurement officer, logistics manager, supply chain manager and data analyst. The sector also contains transport, business management, engineering, IT and statistics roles (among many others). The transportation and logistics sector is significant in Australia because of the country’s isolation from key international markets. Therefore, it must maintain efficient domestic supply chains to compete on a global scale.

Together, these professionals work for various types of businesses, including:

• Freight companies – manage the transportation required to shift goods.
• Distribution companies – help businesses move their goods from the site of manufacture to the marketplace
• Supply chain and logistics companies – manage how products are connected with consumers and make the process more manageable, efficient and profitable.
• Distribution logistics companies – focus on getting goods to customers.
• Disposal logistics companies – deal with the transportation of waste.
• Digital logistics companies – aim to improve efficiency using computer software and automation.

 Supply Chain Industry Outlook 2022

If you are interested in logistics careers, staying abreast of the current supply chain industry trends could give you the employment edge you need! The Supply Chain Industry Outlook 2022, released by the Australian Industry Standards (AIS), identified six megatrends impacting the supply chain across the aviation, rail, maritime, transport and logistics sectors. They include:

#1 – Double disruptors

The current pandemic and digital transformation have caused a “double disruption” to the industry, leading economic and business activities to shift rapidly to the online world. According to the report,  “the pace of technology adoption in response to COVID-19 is expected to continue to increase and has already created more in-demand skills, as well as skills gaps that will need to be addressed”. But according to the Learning Country: Digital Transformation Skills Strategy, it’s not just about digital technologies but also about human skills that can’t be replaced or replicated by algorithms.

#2 – Supply chain resilience

According to the report, “unprecedented disruptions coupled with consumers’ changing behaviour has highlighted the need for resilient supply chains through planning and investment in supply chain operating models”. Supply chain visibility, transparency, sustainability and the environment are gaining more attention across most industry sectors. Supply chain leaders have also emphasised the role of innovations, including artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, optimisation and robot automation in warehousing and transport operations.

#3 – Data analytics and logistics

The pandemic has also quickened the implementation of data-capturing technologies, according to the report. “Organisations are increasingly employing data analytics to inform their decision-making and improve processes. The Internet of Things (IoT) connected networks of digital devices, appliances, software and sensors, continue to open up new frontiers”.

#4 – Automation

“The logistics and transport sector is increasingly using robotics and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) in warehouses to perform tasks more efficiently and safely”, according to the report. Some examples already in place include automated stacking cranes in some of Australia’s ports, autonomous trains like the one operating in the Pilbara, and the trials of autonomous ships currently underway in the Asia Pacific region.

#5 – Labour shortages

An industry-wide labour shortage is one of the main challenges adversely affecting Australia’s economic recovery. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), more than a quarter of businesses have experienced difficulty in recruiting suitable staff.  The top three factors which have strained the labour market are the lack of required qualifications and skills, the lack of job applicants, and international border closures.

 

#6 – Digital transformation

The onset of the global pandemic provided the impetus for the dramatic uptake of digital technologies to offset the adverse economic impacts. Many businesses, like the retail sector, quickly shifted to the online world with systems to support customers and manage their supply chains. As such, business leaders in Australia “consider digital transformation and up-skilling and re-skilling to be among the top priorities in the next three to five years on the path to a more digitalised future”.

What are warehouse management systems?

A warehouse management system (WMS) is a set of processes and policies intended to organise the work of a distribution centre or warehouse and ensure the facility can meet its objectives and operate efficiently. In the 20th century, the term “warehouse management information system” was often used to distinguish software or processes that fulfilled this function. However, these days, the term typically refers to computer systems themselves.

Their levels of complexity

Some software vendors offer as many features as possible in a “one-size-fits-all” solution. In contrast, more complex systems tend to include specialised features designed for specific facilities or industries. Typically, the classification system is as follows:

• A basic WMS – supports location control and inventory management, similar to an inventory management system. The performance data produced at this level is generally limited to “throughput. This how much stock moves through the warehouse in a given period.
• An advanced WMS – can analyse stock levels and capacity and possibly also track how much labour and time is spent on different activities. This allows data to be generated that measures efficiency and suggest ways to improve it. At this level, advanced WMS may begin to overlap or supersede those of a Warehouse Execution System or Warehouse Control System.
• A controlled WMS – can exchange data with other systems to take into account information from outside the warehouse. This includes customer orders, manufacturing needs and transportation. It may control or obtain feedback from IoT devices or from automation in facilities that have them. It may also continuously simulate or test strategies for improving operations, perhaps using machine learning.

 

Develop a comprehensive introductory knowledge to managing logistics and supply chains for a range of logistics careers with our Introduction to Logistics