Mumbai: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai, is going to start seven new courses in logistics for the Ministry of Human Resource Development’s (MHRD) Study Webs of Active-learning for Young Aspiring Minds (Swayam).
The decision, announced by its director Prof. Manoj K Tiwari on Wednesday, aims to foster an employable workforce in the logistics sector, while also enhancing skillsets of experienced employees in the field.
The new courses, which will be 15 or 30 hours micro courses, include: Warehouse Management, Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) in Port Management, Supply Chain Digitalisation, Role of Blockchain in Supply Chain Transformation, E-commerce Supply Chain, Cyber Security in supply chain, and Digital Innovation & Technology in Supply Chain. The institute had already started a course — Digital Supply Chain — last year and one batch has already been taught, informed Tiwari.
In addition to these, the institute has already started 16 customised courses for the PM Gati Shakti initiative and several other customised courses for logistics’ corporates. These initiatives have led to the institute winning the Logistics Excellence, Advancement & Performance Shield (LEAPS-2024) Award in the ‘Institutions: Education and Skill Development in the Logistics Sector’ category, in which 34 institutions from across the country participated.
Speaking about the new course that has been designed for Swayam, Tiwari said, “these courses will enable employees in the logistics sector with the appropriate knowledge and companies can use these courses to improve the skillsets of their workers for emerging demands of the market.”
“Currently, there are about 2.25 crore employees working in the logistics sector. By 2030, with growing demands, another 1.5 crore employees will be needed. With these courses, and courses for PM Gati Shakti and corporate organisations, our aim is to help create as many more employees as we can, while also training the current employees,” said Tiwari, adding that IIM Mumbai has delivered courses to about 25,000 employees and students from 2022-23 to 2024.
The need for the new courses arises from a report published by a group of authors including Tiwari. The report, which the FPJ reported about in December, highlighted the talent shortage in the logistics sector.
According to the report, the logistics sector is facing considerable challenges in workforce development. According to the study, 77% of employers in the transportation, logistics, and automotive industries across India reported significant talent shortages in 2023.
The percentage of employable talent in the country has increased to just over 51% in 2024, up from 50% the previous year. Yet, even with this modest rise, the report underscored that less than half of the available workforce is considered suitable for employment, highlighting a continued mismatch between market demands and available skills and bridging this talent gap remains a critical challenge.
A key area of transformation identified in the study was the integration of technology into logistics operations. The report noted that while the industry is currently operating at a digitisation level of 43%, the potential for growth is substantial.
“The report pinpointed the talent shortages and skillsets requirements in the transportation, logistics & automotive industries. Considering digitisation, automation, and technological advancement, we recommended curriculum redesign/upgradation, training and development of current and future workers, vocational training, training on soft skills, etc,” Tiwari had told the FPJ in December.
With the new courses designed for Swayam, and courses designed for other government initiatives and private corporations, IIM Mumbai aims to bridge the gap and help create a fresh workforce in the logistics sector, Tiwari told reporters on Tuesday.
