Recruitment and retention in the air cargo industry is still at crisis point with 59% of air cargo workers having considered leaving the industry altogether, according to new research.
The survey by Edge Insight on behalf of IBS Software found 26% of respondents have considered leaving the industry specifically due to burnout or work-related stress.
Meanwhile, 22% of air cargo workers feel they have limited career progression opportunities in their roles and 16% believe their contributions are overlooked by the wider cargo ecosystem.
Respondents cited an unpredictable working environment heightened by outdated technology (42%) and shifting global policies and unpredictable crises (35%) as the key causes of their frustration.
"For air cargo operators, these research findings highlight the importance of workforce investment - training, career development and upskilling - or they could risk losing their best talent," said IBS Software.
Investment in digitalisation and updating legacy technology will be crucial for retaining and recruiting air cargo talent, pointed out the company, as 63% of air cargo workers say that greater access and use of data would improve operational efficiency, in turn improving job satisfaction.
That said, employers need to ensure their employees are trained to use the latest technology, as 39% of respondents currently cite a lack of skilled staff as a key operational challenge their company is facing. Without access to technological training, air cargo employers risk disgruntling staff further.
However, despite the concerning results of the research, nearly half (49%) say that it was a passion for aviation and transportation that attracted them to the air cargo sector in the first place, and 68% agree that their current role still excites them.
"Business leaders in the air cargo industry need to be aware of the huge frustrations outdated technology causes for dissatisfied employees and the impact on the wider organisation," said Radhesh Menon, head of product, cargo & logistics, IBS Software.
"The industry cannot afford to ignore the fact that motivated, skilled staff are critical to the success of the sector – especially when you consider the next generation of workers who are far more attuned to newer and more connected ways of working.
"Our research shows that 39% of air cargo workers themselves identify talent shortages as a core issue for their company. Without a motivated, satisfied workforce, air cargo's operational ability is threatened. The value air cargo has globally in terms of wider trade depends on the skilled and passionate staff who care about aviation."
