Turning cold storage into a hot career: Hunting for tomorrow’s skilled workforce

Editor’s note: Vertical Voices focuses on specific verticals within the supply chain, highlighting the latest trends and news. It appears on the fourth Monday of each month. This month, we are looking at the cold chain. If you are interested in future topics, you can see a full list of upcoming topics on our Editorial Calendar.

Over the past decade, the temperature-controlled logistics industry has changed in significant ways. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, cold storage and refrigerated transportation businesses were responding to high demand with sustained and significant growth of services and capacity. Businesses have navigated volatility in the energy sector alongside increasingly stringent sustainability requirements. Additionally, they have continued to digitize their operations and invest in new and emerging technologies, in many cases transforming how parts of the cold chain operate.

This period of significant industry change has also impacted our industry’s requirements for people and skills. Despite a very challenging hiring environment, temperature-controlled supply chain businesses have been recruiting consistently to fill additional roles created by the expansion of the global cold chain. At the same time, the types of skills needed have been evolving. New types of roles are being created, and many of the traditional cold chain jobs now require updated knowledge and skills.

 

Data-infused skills

One prominent skills transformation is associated with the industry’s far greater, and far more sophisticated, use of data in recent years. In today’s leading cold chain businesses, real-time data on refrigeration system performance, sub-metered energy consumption, continual temperature tracking, and vehicle performance and operation, among other data sets, is collected, monitored and analysed. This has significantly increased the requirement within temperature-controlled logistics businesses for skills and specialists in data systems, tracking and analysis.

The industry’s ongoing focus on sustainability and energy efficiency has also led to changes in cold chain businesses’ skills needs. Specialists are required for sustainability strategy, management and reporting. Knowledge and day-to-day implementation of sustainable, energy-efficient best practices is required throughout every department of temperature-controlled logistics businesses.

A growing number of cold storage businesses are also making strides in boosting operational efficiency, modernizing processes and maximizing use of time, space and resources by adopting automation. This has required new training for operators on the warehouse floor. It has also created a requirement for new roles in cold storage, such as automation systems developers, automation operatives and automated system engineers.

Additional investments

Employers are investing in a range of other specific skills to support their cold chain businesses. Specialists in areas such as cybersecurity, renewable energy, risk analysis, and compliance management are all becoming particularly valuable for our industry.

Cold chain operators are managing these skills-based changes through a range of actions. Temperature-controlled logistics businesses are recruiting specialists experienced in other fields into the cold chain industry and creating opportunities for personnel exiting the military and other pathways. They are also supporting home-grown talent through paid internships, bespoke in-house training, upskilling courses, and in-house cold chain management programs.

The industry also benefits from the future-focused educational and training program provided by the Cold Chain Institute, a unique, long-running curriculum managed by the Global Cold Chain Foundation (the research and education arm of the Global Cold Chain Alliance). In 2025, the Cold Chain Institute marks an important anniversary — 60 years of enhancing skills and knowledge with expert tuition for professionals across temperature-controlled logistics. The Institute not only supports students in developing their proficiency and careers, it also supports the industry as a whole, building a future workforce that has honed baseline skills, but is also well-versed in new technologies and innovations. Find out more about the Cold Chain Institute at www.gcca.org/about/global-cold-chain-foundation/cold-chain-institute/.

Future influences

Looking to the coming decade and beyond,a number of factors will influence the changing needs of the cold chain.

We can expect the recent uplift in onsite renewable energy technology installations on cold storage sites to continue along a similar trajectory, increasing the need for skills related to renewable energy system operation and maintenance and, over time, for skills related to onsite energy storage and smart grid integration.

Similarly, as refrigerated transportation’s transition away from fossil fuels advances, we can expect new demand for skills related to management and maintenance of alternative fuel technologies for vehicle engines and Transport Refrigeration Units.

AI-driven systems will also impact skills requirements. As AI advances in its capabilities, reliability, and applications for temperature-controlled operations and systems, the cold chain will require specialists in the development, integration, maintenance and management of these new systems.

The temperature-controlled logistics industry is investing in its skills needs of the future, with attractive recruitment campaigns, in-house support for skill acquisition and career development, and specialist training and education at the Cold Chain Institute. GCCA is seeking every opportunity to work with government and the logistics sector to ensure that the people and skills required to meet the nation's future cold supply chain needs will be prepared and accessible for businesses.

A policy environment that encourages and incentivizes investment in skills-building is crucial. It is time for government and the cold chain industry to work together to increase promotion of temperature-controlled logistics as an interesting, fulfilling, reliable and varied career option of choice.

About the author:

Sara Stickler

Sara Stickler is president & CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance. GCCA offers advocacy, education and communication throughout the cold chain.

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