Graduate Opportunities

Getting the right product to the right place at the right time and price is the challenge of logistics, supply chain and transport. In today’s fast-paced, global market, companies are increasingly judged not only on the quality of their goods and services, but also on the speed and efficiency with which they deliver them. Due to the increasing technical complexity of distributing standard consumer goods, and the globalisation of markets, the link between consumer and vendor has become longer and vastly more complicated.

Efficient logistics management can be the competitive edge in driving revenue and profits higher. Areas such as purchasing and supplier management, materials management and manufacturing, inventory management and warehousing, distribution and transport are becoming a critical area for an ever-growing number of retailers, manufacturers and service providers.

The work

The logistics industry is growing rapidly in Australia, New Zealand and globally. Occupational pathways in this industry range across technical, operational and managerial areas.

To manage supply chains, logistics companies now utilise leading-edge technology to provide shared resource efficiency and real-time information in conjunction with rapid-transaction processing. The internet has enabled full integration of logistics functions and facilitated e-business growth.

In Australia there have been several recent government and private sector initiatives to develop and support the logistics sector, ranging from funding support for technology research to funding for industry-based training programs.

An example of such initiatives is the Department of Education, Science and Training’s Supply Chain Awareness Project, which aims to “promote an integrated approach to career pathways and awareness, industry participation and leadership in the development of complete supply chain management related to qualifications options for all young Australians” (www.dest.gov.au). The increased focus on the industry has opened up opportunities for more graduates.

What you need

Besides technical and analytical skills, employers are increasingly looking for graduates with excellent managerial and communication skills, as managing a human work force is an important part of any job in this field.

Technical roles often require graduates with specific logistics or operations research training as part of a Science, IT or Engineering degree. Some universities are now offering specialised postgraduate qualifications in the field, including:

• Victoria University (Australia) – Master of Business (Global Logistics and Transport)
• University of Sydney – Masters and Graduate Diplomas in both Logistics and Transport Management

Money matters

The Australian Graduate Survey indicates that half of all new bachelor graduates employed full-time in the transport industry in 2006 earned $31,000-$50,000, four to six months after completing their qualifications. The equivalent range for those working at a managerial, professional or associate professional level was $37,000-$55,000. The 2005 Hays Salary Survey suggests that those with experience working in supply chain analysis typically earn $55,000-$75,000 while transport managers typically earn $80,000-$120,000. See www.gradsonline.com.au for current salary information.

Significant stats

• Female employment in the transport and storage industry has increased by 82 per cent over the last 20 years (to 119,900).
• The transport and storage industry has grown at a rate of 14.4 per cent in the five years to February 2007 (58,900 new jobs in this time).

Source: except where indicated, figures from “Australian Jobs 2007”, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.