Predictions for Jobs in Warehousing in 2019
The future might not look bright if you work in warehousing, but a lot is going on which is cause for excitement. In Britain, there is lots of unpredictability surrounding jobs thanks to Brexit and Theresa May’s attempt to cut a deal. People in warehousing jobs might think they are going to be the first to go, but there are security and opportunities for British workers. Yes, even with advancements in technology and robotic workers and computer software programmes.
Here are some of the reasons to be optimistic if you’re in the industry.
More Job Opportunities
Whether you voted to remain or to leave, there is no doubt Brexit will have an impact on jobs. For employees in warehouses, it could be a positive rather than a negative. On average, foreign workers find employment in a sector such as warehousing. If they are to leave or fewer migrants are to come to the country, it should result in extra job openings. Plus, there will be expansion by companies and corporations under the new rules. The Guardian has reported Amazon is still committed to creating 2,500 in Brexit Britain. As many as two-thousands of them will be outside of the head office.
Better Job Security
It’s tempting to see the impact of companies such as Uber and Airbnb and assume warehousing hasn’t been affected the same way. The reality is that the sector is transforming due to the likes of Stowga here in the UK. Now, a startup or entrepreneur can manage a warehousing business without the large and restrictive costs. Thanks to this app, anyone with space can rent it out for a number of days, weeks or months. Because of greater accessibility, there will be more companies offering long-term, full-time roles. And, Stowga is just the beginning.
Higher Wages
In simple terms, there is going to be an increase in the living wage in the next year. At the moment, it’s £7.83 for people over the age of 25. By April 2019, it will hit £8.21 for the same age bracket. Throughout a year, this should equate to an extra £700 in an employee’s pocket. Relatively, it’s an additional £14 per week or £59 every month. With the Chancellor announcing the tax allowance will be bumped up to £12,500 for 2019, warehouse workers can expect to earn more and spend less.
Less Monotony
People see the rise of automation as a bad thing, but there are important points to remember. The first is that every computer programme needs human intervention to make sure it works properly and to fix it when it breaks. Therefore, there won’t be a mass exodus of workers as the quality of tech increases. Secondly, it will open up new avenues for employees. Rather than working with boring methods, warehouse technicians will get to deal with drones. And, everything which comes as a result of intense customer expectations.
Hopefully, we also see things such as more women breaking into the industry as gender roles reverse.