Part 2: Automation in warehousing, what does this mean for warehousing jobs?

Author: Christian Juric

Images Sourced From Official Event Photographer: The Pixel Collective

Continuous 24/7 operations: efficiency and cost saving goals for Supply Chains, Warehousing, Distribution and Fulfilments centres

The impacts of warehousing automation on Employees and what warehousing jobs will look like in future.

Recently we attended CEMAT’s annual Trade Expo. The event provided incredible insight into the latest in safety and technological innovations within the supply chain and logistics space. If you haven’t already, we recommend you read Part 1 of this article, detailing innovations and the impacts on Employers. In this article, we will reflect more on the impacts on Employees and what warehousing jobs will look like in future.

The takeaway we had from the event was that many large scale Supply Chains, Warehousing, Distribution and Fulfilments centres will start introducing more automation into their operations, and very soon (estimated within the next 15 years).

Automation will enable continuous 24/7 operations, minimising costs of labour and increasing efficiency across the board – from the generation of picking slips, to packaging orders and dispatching. Minimising incorrect picking orders, managing correct stock levels.

2035: What role will a warehouse worker play in the not-so-distant future?

Automation in the warehousing industry will no doubt change warehousing job requirements. Like we have seen in other industries and roles, great changes often present skill gaps and create new opportunities.

The modern warehouse worker will stop being the forklift driver and the pick packer.

So what will a warehousing job look like in 2035? These large-scale high volume distribution centres will require teams of maintenance technicians qualified as Mechanical Fitters and turners. The main responsibility of these employees will be to minimise downtime of machinery.

Smaller factories and supplier/distributors will also see slow implementations of automation at their place of business. Warehouse automation solutions will only become more and more cost effective as the technology develops.

5 skills required by the modern warehouse employee in the future

1. Being mechanically minded

2. Experience as a service technician

3. Familiar with electrical components

4. Familiar with common break down issues

5. Ability to triage breakdowns dependant on production efficiency.

Automation will only become more attractive to employers, it’s in the math.

Solutions offerings exhibited at the CEMAT 2023 expo started from as low as $170,000 AUD for an automated forklift. Why is this important for an employee to know?

Jora places the current average salary for a High Reach Forklift Driver between $50,000-$60,000 annually. That means business owners return on investment sits at 3 years and will only grow smaller. Businesses will be looking to get the most value for spend, automation will provide this in the near future. Automation will look more attractive is the path forward for many businesses in future.

To conclude, warehouse automation is a large disruptor and effects on employees will start being felt in the coming years.

It will have outward effects on the labour market, skill requirements and how business will shift their perspective on what is efficient and cost effective. As an employee, it will be important to upskill and seize opportunities to gain new experience with these new technologies. By embracing the change and adapting to the emerging skills required, your warehousing career can continue.

if you’re interested in Warehousing Jobs or furthering your career in the industry, contact us.

Our team is based in our Western Sydney office in Bella Vista. Our Labour Hire Recruitment Consultants are highly experienced and understand the specialist skills and experience candidates need to work in Supply Chains, Warehousing, Distribution & Fulfilments Centres.

Meet the dedicated Talent Focus Labour Hire Team in NSW

Pilar Riveros
Recruitment Consultant/Account Manager – Labour Hire
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Pilar has 2 years’ experience in recruitment, specialising in Labour Hire. As a recruiter she has an exceptional record in successful placements and providing excellent customer services to her clients.

About Talent Focus

Talent Focus is a leading recruitment agency that specialises in connecting organizations with exceptional talent across various industry sectors. With a strong focus on personalized service and a deep understanding of their clients’ needs, Talent Focus has earned a reputation for delivering outstanding results.