The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) had assessed that, in the aftermath of the Coronavirus crisis, Logistics has emerged as one of the top five employment-generating sectors in India, followed by tourism and hospitality, construction, information technology and telecom.The Logistics sector in India has seen very rapid growth in the past years on the back of infrastructural investments by the Government and the rapid growth of e-commerce.The rise in demand for e-commerce, coupled with India’s stance to become a global manufacturing hub, has made the industry domains of supply chain services and warehousing, a landscape in which fast-paced developments are taking place.
The Economic Survey predicts that India’s Logistics industry is set to grow from $160 billion
to $215 billion in the next two years. The sector is also now seeing increased Government
focus through reforms, and funding.Additionally, the adoption of digital technologies and
automation in the sector is proceeding at a rapid pace.
The coming year will see significant interventions to reduce the cost of Logistics which, by
value, accounts for 13% of India’s GDP. When compared with other nations, the cost base in
India is much higher than that of the USA which stands at 9% and Japan at 11%.
In order to drive down costs and build efficiencies in the face of surging demand, the year
2022 will have to see an increase of skill development across the Logistics sector.
Logistics is one of the most competitive businesses across the globe. In India, it provides
employment to 22 million people as reported by the Economic Survey. However, a large
part of this workforce is semi-skilled or has minimal education.
The Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC), was created as an Industry apex body by the
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and National Skill Development
Corporation (NSDC), to develop, promote and execute progressive initiatives to enhance
education and skills in this sector.
Since its inception in 2014, LSC has been steadily expanding its activities and consolidating
its position in the skills eco-system. Having articulated its scope as encompassing 12 sub
sectors. the creation of Qualification Packs and National Occupation Standards in these 12
sub sectors, are scheduled to be completed by this year end, marking a highly creditable
milestone. This will form the basis for structured training for entry level workforce in Logistics
Sector for the first time in the country.
As traditional roles get progressively replaced by new technologies such as Robotics,
Cobotics, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), IoT, Cloud Computing, Blockchain
technology, and AI, new opportunities for both white-collar and blue-collar jobs open up in
this sector.
LSC is also encompassing institutional mechanisms for ensuring that, the share of skilled
trained manpower in the Logistics sector is increased rapidly. Setting up of Centres of
Excellence, introduction of Apprenticeships in logistics and revamping the Course curricula
in academia will propel the pace of skill development in the sector. LSC is gearing up all its
logistics sub-sectors to spread awareness in such a way as to make it an aspirational sector,
for both men and women. Equipped with the right skills and attitudes, women can make a
gigantic contribution to change the face of the Indian Logistics sector in years to come.
Moving forward, with the PM’s National Master Plan – the Gati Shakti - we will continue to
restructure the teaching context of our skilling sphere, to make it future-ready, to whatever
extent needed. The future will bring changes faster, with more variety and newer paths that,
will place demands on logistics to play a greater role in global business. In line with this
future scenario, we have created new platforms most of which are non-traditional and are
expected to expand the growth opportunities for those in, and those entering, the Logistics
industry.
I am very sure that with such a powerful and competent workforce at LSC, we will be able to
achieve significant success in scaling up towards making India, a hub of skilled – manpower
catering to the industry’s demands, both nationally and across the globe.
Along with my team at LSC, I wish you all a great journey ahead.