In 2023, SDA members from around the country participated in an academic study lead by Victoria University. The research, funded the by the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) and in partnership with the Australian Retailers Association, looked at how automation and digital technology might affect the skills workers need for working in warehousing.
The research project aimed to better understand workers’ awareness, current skills and attitudes towards automation and digitisation. It also asked what skills people thought they might need to continue to work in warehousing.
Why is this research important for SDA members?
This research benefits SDA members and all warehouse employees because retail warehousing is increasingly adopting robotics, automated vehicles, and other digital technologies. As a result, many jobs in the sector may change, requiring workers to learn new skills.
It’s important to understand how workers feel about changing technology and the impact it has on their work.
New insights can help the SDA better represent you and ensure you’re being treated fairly at work, especially through any changes.
Who participated in the research?
The project consisted of an employee online survey sent out to SDA members in warehousing, and an employer focus group of seven VIC warehouse employers. SDA members were asked for their opinions on the likelihood, extent and timing of automation and digitisation and the impact they thought this might have on what skills they might need and their jobs. The employer focus group asked about the current skills of employees and the skills they need now and in the future.
What did the survey find?
In Victoria, the most common jobs of those who replied were in picking and packing, general warehouse operations, and forklift operators. Almost half were working with dry grocery goods, about a third were working with fresh produce and around 16% were working with household goods.
Around 40% had completed secondary education, 19% had completed vocational education and 15% university education. More than a quarter had warehouse experience of more than 20 years, and two-thirds had worked in warehousing for at least five years.
Survey insights
Almost half (47%) of Victorian respondents said their workplace was partially automated, and 15% said it was already automated as either most or all workers were machine operators. More than a third (38%) said their workplace had no automation.
When asked about their awareness of digital and automated equipment, machines and software that could be used in warehousing, more than 80% said they didn’t know about technologies such as drones, robotics arms, avidbot cleaners, in-cabin monitoring or telescopic conveyer belts.
55% of workers thought their current jobs would continue to exist for up to ten years, but 10% were not so confident, saying they were unsure about how long their job would last.
Almost a quarter (23.4%) didn’t know what impact automation and digitisation would have on their training needs but 21% thought more training programs would be needed.
The majority of workers (53%) said they had no current plan for developing their skills; about a third were unsure; and just under 15% said they did have a plan for developing their skills.
Two thirds of workers said they were willing to undertake training to upgrade their skills and most of these said they would participate if their employer paid for it. Just under a fifth of workers were unsure if they wanted to undertake further training and 15% said they would not want to do further training.
The types of training workers preferred included automation (36%), digitalisation/digitisation (36%), and supply chain foundational skills (36%). In addition, 15% of workers said they would consider training in general foundational skills such as reading, writing and communications.
Almost 50% of workers said their preference was training delivered by TAFE and RTOs or through their employer. Around 45% didn’t have a preference.
In-person training was the preferred method for around 43% of workers, followed by on-line workshops (approx. 32%) and in-store training (approx. 26%).
When asked why they wanted to do training, over half said it would be to get a new job or was a job requirement; 40% said they wanted to get a promotion or wanted extra skills for their job. Just over a third wanted to do training to improve their general educational skills.
What are the next steps?
The SDA Union continues to advocate for decent wages and conditions alongside training for warehouse workers – whether you’re in a traditional warehouse, a partially or a fully automated site