The national development plan recognises the importance of logistics to overall competitiveness and points out that the development of logistics as a key capability will be supported through the National Institute for Transport and Logistics.
The National Institute for Transport and Logistics is an initiative of my Department to support companies in Ireland in achieving competitive advantage and to help Ireland become a major international centre of logistics excellence. The significance of our geographical location as a factor in the competitiveness of Irish business has long been recognised and has been frequently highlighted in recent times. The ability of Irish exporters to supply markets with increasingly demanding logistical requirements is, more and more, dependent on a greater level of transport expertise and skills.
The NITL offers information, training and education programmes as well as facilitation and consultancy to manufacturing, process and service companies in Ireland. It also offers higher education programmes to school leavers in co-operation with the Dublin Institute of Technology to further increase the pool of skilled employees in Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland has recently commissioned the NITL to carry out a study into the logistics capabilities and requirements of its client companies. The study will highlight logistical problems faced by companies throughout Ireland and identify the steps required to improve their competitiveness in this area. The study, which is due to be completed by July next, will also address the impact of e-commerce on the logistics requirements of the companies surveyed.
The NITL is also currently collaborating with a FÁS-sponsored study on the labour supply and demand needs of the transport and logistics sector. This work will feed into the deliberations of the expert group on future skills needs.