Future Force was proud to be the platinum sponsor of the Cargo Club of Australia’s Winter Charity function at the Spice Market in down-town Melbourne on Thursday 28th July. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to briefly address the gathering. Here’s an outline of what I had to say. Of course I would be very keen for any feedback, whether you agree or disagree. Cheers, Tim.
“As a near on 40 year veteran of the industry, I have a rare opportunity to briefly address a group of like-minded, fellow industry employees. So rather than regale you all with a sales pitch, I thought I’d take the opportunity proffer an observation about the industry as I see it at the moment.
So here’s what I think – with respect to human resource, the industry ‘plays safe’. Too often we look for the ‘comfortable fit’ when looking to fill a vacancy within our organisation. We seek ‘instant gratification’ when, for example, we are seeking to fill an operational department vacancy. We look for and often find and employ someone with a ‘level of experience’, who can slot in and fill the void immediately without having to bother with much training. To do this we poach from our competitors or go to a recruitment company, who do the poaching for you and charge you a hefty fee.
I know this because not only was I guilty of it when I ran freight forwarding operations, but I now deal with it directly on a daily basis. You see my company Future Force is not only the leading industry training company; we are also an industry recruiter. While we hate the moniker ‘recruiter’ (we do it very differently and with ethics) we can’t escape the fact that this is a role we do play and as such we are constantly receiving requests similar to that I’ve just outlined. Many, many times have I heard the ‘must have experience’ line when, knowing the demands of the vacant role, I’m convinced that a junior would be a much better, and cheaper option. I’ll explain why shortly. Of course there are times when this is not the most suitable option and recruiters then play a responsible, helpful role, but there are certainly many times when engaging a recruiter is a waste of money and does nothing to help the industry.
What I’m suggesting therefore, is for companies to ‘be brave’. Get off the merry-go-round of employing others’ discards, or poaching from each other. You might save a short term headache, but you’re potentially creating a longer term migraine.
Successful, brave companies have a youth policy. They look to the future to ensure that they have a continuous flow of experience at all levels. They don’t have large gaps that will leave them without good, trained staff flowing through to take up the more senior roles as people move up or move on. This is the danger and what I’m seeing creeping into the industry at the moment. Off-shore data entry might be the short term cost-saving solution, but it does nothing to bring fresh, young talent into the industry. Who is going to take our place as we move on? Look behind you and see if there’s somebody to take your place, and somebody to take their place. If there’s not, you could have a problem.
Youth policies are all about employing from the bottom and promoting from within. They are constantly creating the “Next Gen”. They create the supervisors, managers and industry leaders of the future. There are obvious benefits in managing your personnel this way. If staff know the policy they’ll be looking forward to sticking around, knowing that there are real chances of promotion. It is very demotivating to be waiting for a promotion and suddenly the position is filled externally, often to someone no more qualified. So the internal motivational benefits are tangible.
That’s what we’re all about – helping you create your “Next Gen”, keeping the industry vibrant with talented well trained staff. Our training program is the result of years of experience and hard work, creating the most relevant and interesting industry training program available (ask me more!).
It’s only July, but we have already begun receiving enquiries from schools about our School Based Traineeship (SBT) program for next year. For the last three years we have been providing tuition to year 12 students as part of their official year 12 studies. The course: – International Freight Forwarding. Yes, it is being delivered in schools! What better way of attracting talented youngsters into our industry. The trouble we have had however, is finding enough companies to put some time into developing these youngsters. We’re required to offer these students one day per week work with a willing ‘brave’ company like yours. It’s inexpensive and in my view, it’s actually a fantastic community service. In addition, around 70% of our Y12 program graduates have ultimately been employed full time by their host company once they’ve completed year 12. Yet, we have struggled to find enough companies willing to invest in the future by offering a placement. Sadly we have had to reject students in previous years because we didn’t have enough job placements: – a sad indictment on our industry. Hopefully when we come knocking on your door early next year seeking placements, you might not reject the idea out of hand.
There are many Y12 graduates who are now looking at the International Logistics industry as a viable career choice. They’re itching for opportunity to get into full time traineeships and prove themselves. These kids are our industry’s future – IF they get an opportunity. We’re doing our level best to attract the best quality young talent to our industry. The industry needs you to be brave, adopt a youth policy and give them that opportunity to be the ‘Next Gen”. You won’t regret it.”
by Future Force
Future Force was the best fit for me, as I wanted to get into the working field straight after finishing high school.
The best thing about it all is that Future Force offer you excellent schooling about Transport and Logistics as well as providing hands on experience.
My trainer Michael has a lot to do with where I am today, his expertise and persistence in his training has been very helpful within my work.
Since graduating in 2013, I have grown so much within the industry. I have been fortunate to trial different departments to find which best suits me.
The perfect entry point into the world of freight and logistics, extremely skilled and motivated team that really CARE about your career and ambitions, even to the point of keeping touch 5+ years after graduation.
Stefan Sutherland, Business Development Executive
Boundless career opportunities in the freight & logistics industry and highly motivated team that help kickstart your professional career. Family like atmosphere, cannot recommend highly enough.
Emir Osmanagic, LCL Product Lead, Australia and New Zealand
When I started my traineeship, I quickly realised that I had a limited understanding of the industry and experience in an office environment. After meeting weekly with my Future Force trainer for the two year period of my traineeship, I was able to learn about the logistics industry efficiently, while maintaining a comfortable pace for me to grasp concepts strongly. Not only have I built skills within my workplace, but also organisational and life skills.
Declan Broderick, Operations all rounder
As a fresh faced teenager in 2003, I was fortunate enough to commence my traineeship under the guidance of the Future Force team. They provided me the necessary tools to be successfully employed at market leading international freight forwarder, along with comprehensive training, knowledge & skills required to succeed in my position as the national leading cargo insurance sales rep today!
Jeremy McNamara, Business Development Executive