Transforming Logistics with AI and Upskilling: Lessons from the #SHRM24 Conference
By: Kacy Swanson, Vice President, Employee Services
The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) held its annual conference in Chicago this past June bringing professionals from all industries together to discuss the evolution of today’s workforce. The conference broke SHRM attendance and revenue records with more than 26,000 registrants and 375-plus sessions covering the latest trends in HR – from compliance and workplace civility to employee engagement and leadership.
For the first time in history, six generations are present in the workforce, with the fastest-growing segment being people aged 75+. Today’s multigenerational workforce presents unique challenges and opportunities – all discussed at the conference. It was evident that we as leaders must find ways to leverage the strengths of the individuals on our teams – no matter their generation – to drive innovation and support the goals of our businesses.
Here are a few of my main takeaways from this year’s conference and how we are implementing programs and policies at Trailer Bridge to support our team around the world.
AI in the Workplace
One of the most significant themes throughout the conference was the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workforce. In his opening remarks, SHRM CEO and President Johnny C. Taylor Jr. referenced a McKinsey & Company report stating more than 1 billion jobs will be impacted by AI over the next 5 years. He reminded us that AI should be seen as an enhancement, not a replacement, and rather than adopting a posture of defensiveness we should approach it with curiosity and join the conversation. “Artificial intelligence + human intelligence = new ROI,” emphasized Taylor.
Technology is always a hot topic in the logistics industry and the rise of AI is certainly making an impact on the way we do business. At Trailer Bridge, we believe logistics is personal, and the true power of technology comes from empowering our people to use it to deliver data-driven solutions. This could look like quickly understanding the next best pickup for a carrier based on current routings or the ability to perform a quick cost analysis for a shipper based on different transportation methods.
To harness the benefits of AI, it is crucial to remove the fear surrounding it by having open discussion on the topic at all levels of your organization and focus on training. It’s not AI that will take jobs, but rather the people who know how to use AI tools effectively that gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. Embracing AI will allow us to build optimized, human-centric workplaces.
An Employability Report published by Cengage Group reveals interesting statistics related to GenAI training: 55% of graduates said their program did not prepare them to use the tools. The percentages increase as you progress from Genz to GenX. Learn more in this recent Food Logistics article, “Employability Report Reveals Growing Focus on Workplace Skills.”
Upskilling for the Future
The reality is the rise of AI has and will continue to create a skills gap in the workplace as well as other cultural shifts in society leaving gaps when it comes to strong workforce development. Key life skills like adaptability and critical thinking are two skills discussed at the conference. The two are essential, especially in an AI-driven world, and as leaders, it’s important to set the tone around the importance of upskilling and reskilling in our organizations.
At Trailer Bridge, we have made significant strides in this area; we have reimagined our internal upskilling programs, invested in a robust learning management system, continue to offer tuition reimbursement programs, and more. In 2024 we launched Building Bridges an internal group mentoring program matching employees with members of leadership to discuss topics focused on their career interests and professional growth goals.
Additionally, we also partner with local educational institutions to help shape tailored programs for future logistics professionals, such as our recent collaboration with Job Corps. Members of our executive team also serve as guest speakers for student groups studying transportation and logistics. These efforts ensure our team and a future generation are equipped to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of logistics.
The SHRM conference provided invaluable insights essential for adapting to the future of work. As leaders, we must prioritize our learning and foster an environment where we put people first. The logistics industry is essential to moving our world forward so our commitment to our people must reflect the critical nature of their roles. Embracing AI, investing in upskilling, and fostering an inclusive, multigenerational workplace are crucial steps to staying competitive and serving our customers. Because when you take care of your people, they in turn take care of your customers.
