Human resources for sustainable mobility: Securing the right jobs and skills – urban freight

9:30-11:00

POLIS- in collaboration with Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) is bringing together a cross-disciplinary panel of cities, universities and industry stakeholders to discuss the human skills and training required for a sustainable mobility transition.

Urban mobility is changing fast. From alternative fuels to Mobility as a Service (MaaS), new transport technologies and services are continually emerging. Many predicted such digitalisation and automation would eliminate the need for human personnel. Yet, we are witnessing the opposite: electrification, clean fuels and automation have in fact intensified demands on the transport sector’s workforce. The explosion of sustainable modal options requires specialised technical skills and proficient governance capabilities.

The second meeting will explore Urban Freight. Efficient logistics system is essential for the sustainable, liveable and economically prosperous city. Freight is being transformed by innovative technologies, from low emissions zones to electrification and storage solutions. At the same time changes in the retail system, new types of logistics flows, automation and robotisation are creating new demands.

Yet, for all this automation, it remains an incredibly human resource intensive sector. We will discuss key trends shaping requirements for the urban freight workforce and the impact of technology, policy and economic changes.