DCN September Edition 2019

INDUSTRY OPINION
Youth empowerment –
why does it matter?
The vibrancy of youth can bring important benefits for freight and logistics,
writes customs broker Sarah Vogler
YOUNG PEOPLE BRING CREATIVITY,
curiosity, energy, impatience, attitude and
guts. They are generally confident, able to
multi-task and are tech savvy. So, why is it
so crucial we empower them, when it seems
they already have it all?
SOME CONTEXT
It’s no secret that businesses are expanding
every day, presenting new and exciting
challenges, with plenty of work to go
around. The logistics industry is no
exception. With so many individuals
working in this sector under the age of
30, we are given an opportunity with
endless possibilities. These fresh-minded
people are eager to create a foundation for
a long-term career path, keen to develop
their knowledge pool and grow their
bank balance. While experience is vital;
reassurance, training and development are
the three key aspects to assisting those who
are eager to improve their skill sets.
NEW TECHNOLOGY
Technological advancements, 3D-printing,
autonomous vehicles, these are just some
of the areas that are expected to have a
massive impact on the logistics industry.
With so many potential prospects existing
and young minds to actively contribute to
the changes ahead, it seems only fitting
we put our efforts into investing in these
future leaders. If we can provide the
resources and encouragement necessary
for analysing issues that affect our working
environment it will assist their minds in
creating a safe space to explore ideas and
ultimately giving them an enormous sense
of self-worth and gratitude.
GIVING A VOICE
Giving a voice to our youth makes a huge
difference. Expressing a thought or idea
is one thing, but for someone to hear that
opinion, is another. Although some won’t
agree with this opinion piece, I believe youth
are a necessary part of the backbone of this
industry. Without them, there is no future.
Let’s not get carried away here, it is
crucial to clarify that not every idea is
picture perfect. We want to encourage
creative thinking mixed with a realistic
understanding to ensure the foundation of
the idea has a solid base to inspire growth.
It is imperative that they also learn to
appreciate failure. Failure is an essential
building block in life. How are we expected
to learn, if not from our mistakes?
I encourage those who believe in our youth
to listen, teach and inspire them to make them
the representatives of change
Good habits need to be presented and
established early on to provide a sustainable
platform for these youngsters. Essentially
this process needs to start by shifting the
current adverse mindsets of our more
senior colleagues, giving them confidence
in our youth to ensure they are seen as part
of the solution, not part of the problem.
It is vital we engage these minds and use
them to our advantage. Moulding them
to our needs, while still giving them the
creative freedom to innovate change and
seek revolutionary ideas.
Our younger colleagues need to know
that their senior associates believe that
they have the potential and capability to
triumph through any problematic situation
they are presented with.
INEVITABILITY OF CHANGE
Empowering youth doesn’t just have
to implicate youth. The benefits are
Sarah Vogler, customs broker, Panalpina World
Transport
substantial, for both the industry and
individuals involved. As we all know,
change is inevitable, meaning we must
work together as a cohesive team to protect
the future outcome of the industries and
world we live in. Through collaboration
of experience, ideas, history and future
forecasts; we can essentially walk into the
future together, side by side.
As a huge advocate of our youth, as
well as being one myself, I believe it is our
collective responsibility to learn how best to
approach, provide motivation and support
them. By providing them with the tools to
self-develop, they should see it as their duty
to personally advance themselves.
I encourage those who believe in our
youth to listen, teach and inspire them to
make them the representatives of change
they are so capable of being. I ask you, what
could be more imperative to the future of
our industry?
In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt,
“We cannot always build the future for
our youth, but we can build our youth for
the future”.
Panalpina
64 September 2019
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