India’s logistics industry has called for a 40 percent increase in public funding for artificial intelligence-led skilling programmes, warning that inadequate investment in advanced capabilities could slow employment creation and productivity gains across the fast-expanding sector.
The demand follows an industry-wide poll conducted by the Logistics Sector Skill Council, which found strong consensus among employers, training institutions and workforce planners on the urgent need to scale AI and digital training. Respondents highlighted that automation, predictive analytics, robotics, warehouse digitisation and intelligent fleet management are rapidly reshaping logistics operations, requiring a fundamentally different skill mix.
Industry leaders said logistics remains one of India’s largest employment generators, supporting millions of direct and indirect jobs across transportation, warehousing, ecommerce fulfilment, ports and cold-chain networks. However, the shift towards technology-driven supply chains is widening the gap between job creation potential and workforce readiness.
The survey indicated that while hiring demand remains robust, companies increasingly struggle to find candidates trained in AI-enabled logistics planning, smart warehousing, digital inventory control, last-mile optimisation and data-led route management. Without accelerated skilling, the sector risks facing structural talent shortages even as investments in infrastructure and digital platforms surge.
Stakeholders have urged the government to prioritise AI skilling in logistics under Budget 2026, proposing expanded funding for training centres, industry-aligned certification programmes, apprenticeships, and digital learning platforms. The recommendations also include incentives for companies that invest in continuous workforce upskilling and partnerships between logistics firms, technology providers and academic institutions.
With ecommerce, manufacturing, defence logistics, cold-chain expansion and green mobility expected to drive sustained growth, the logistics industry is projected to create millions of new jobs over the next decade. Experts argue that targeted investment in AI-driven skills could significantly enhance productivity, reduce delivery inefficiencies and strengthen India’s position as a global supply-chain hub.
The sector believes that a focused push on AI skilling will not only improve employability for young workers but also enable the industry to transition smoothly into next-generation logistics, balancing automation-led efficiency with inclusive job creation.
Source – https://www.bwpeople.in/article/logistics-skill-council-seeks-40-ai-skilling-boost-591548