Press Release

PM Julia Gillard recognises DB Schenker for upskilling its workforce

DB Schenker aims to set the industry benchmark for qualified logistics professionals

(Sydney, May 16, 2011)  DB Schenker proves that motivated and passionate people are the key to long-term success. Its economic performance and excellent customer retention rate are clear indicators for best practise in short skilled labour markets and that companies can emerge even stronger from difficult times such as the global financial crisis.

CEO Ron Koehler says “Having the best and most qualified people in the industry is an integral part of our overall strategy and sustainability program and our customers deserve best in class service today and tomorrow.

For us, delivering high quality service relates directly to the enthusiasm and motivation of our people who constantly exceed personal and business targets. Our management has committed early to being not only an external employer of choice, but more importantly, an internal employer of choice and our success is based on a very stable social environment. This allows our diverse workforce - we employ people from all continents, across all age groups, nationalities and genders - to innovate, create and inspire not only ourselves but also our customers and business partners every day.

Flexible working arrangements such as working from home, job-sharing, part-time work options and 'me' days create the flexibility to retain our talent. “Our Learning and Development Program encourages our people to strive for success on a personal and professional level every day," said Ron Koehler, CEO for Australia and New Zealand of Schenker Australia Pty Ltd, on Monday in Sydney.

“Being recognised for our achievements in talent development by our Prime Minister Julia Gillard proves that we have taken the right steps with our tailor-made training programs. Complementing our own programs, we use a variety of government funded trainings and courses supported by User Choice & EPPP (Employee Productivity Places Program) funding. Some of these courses were integrated into our daily business activities to combine theory and practical work and therefore make them more relevant to our staff which had a great affect on the learning outcomes.

In 2010 & 2011 the Learning and Development Programs of DB Schenker have been based on 3 pillars and provide relevant and tailored training opportunities that enable its employees to take ownership of their career progression.

Internal training (locally & internationally)
Employees are supported by 2 full-time Learning & Development professionals. The internal training programs are delivered Australia wide, and this year 21 in-house workshops will be aligned to national accreditation standards of the Certificate III Transport & Logistics.

Nationally accredited
DB Schenker values nationally accredited programs which content is delivered to a consistent standard – Australia wide. Employees receive a Certificate and Statement of Attainment that is recognised by employers, Tafes and Universities.

External Training
Due to limited resources not all DB Schenker trainings can be delivered in-house. The company established partnerships with external training providers who support its belief in tailored trainings which focus on “tools, tips, and techniques”, enabling employees to own their success.

DB Schenker constantly reviews and improves the training programs offered to its employees to become an innovator in the freight and logistics industry.

Due to the current skill shortage there is still a need to supplement our workforce through skilled immigration like the 457 temporary visas in particular for Western Australia’s mining industries.

 Although freight and logistics is a very fast pace industry almost one third of Schenker Australia Pty Ltd’s employees have been with the company for 5 years and longer and 13.4 percent are with the for 10 years and longer.

The company’s CEO Ron Koehler is convinced that retaining and up-skilling the workforce is the right strategy for DB Schenker and the best motivator for people to live their dream of a fulfilling career. He’s also the living proof for this having started his career with DB Schenker more than 32 years ago as a trainee in freight forwarding.

Note to journalists: For pictures or more detailed information about the training programs, please email carola.jonas@dbschenker.com .

Last modified: 07.07.2011