Report examines skills needed for reshaping of transport industry

A new report on technology adoption in the transport industry suggests that many jobs will disappear or be changed, with a majority of workers feeling unprepared when it comes to their skills.

The Creating our future transport and mobility workforce study was carried out by the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre and Swinburne University, and considered the impact of digitalisation and automation, such as connected and autonomous vehicles, blockchain, and electrification

It found that seven out of ten workers felt unprepared for the digital transport skills of the future, and almost half of surveyed organisations acknowledged a significant gap to be overcome, said Prof Hussein Dia of Swinburne.

“The case studies also confirmed the widespread belief that while technology may eliminate some jobs, it won’t eliminate work,” added Dia. 

“These technology developments will indeed have a profound impact on future jobs and skills in the transport sector, but with the right set of strategies, policy interventions, committed leadership, partnerships, and incentives, the impacts can be managed.”

Skills predicted to be in high demand, according to the report, include knowledge of robots, simulation tools, IoT solutions, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, as well as “soft skills”, such as critical thinking and complex problem-solving.

The report recommends early interventions by governments for a nationally-coordinated, holistic approach to skills development. 

Recommendations were to: 

• Provide national leadership and commitment to digital skills development and diversity;
• Establish a measurable national standard for industry-specific digital upskilling programs;
• Networks of partnerships between businesses, education providers, and the community; and
• Incentivising private investment by expanding the scope of tax policies.

The report finds 18 occupations face a high probability of automation, meaning a change in skills requirement.

Among the benefits of the technologies reshaping the transport industry, one case study on electric vehicles in the report suggests a 50 per cent uptake in EVs by 2030 could increase real GDP by $2.9 billion and create 13,400 new jobs.

Picture: credit NVIDIA