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The Shortage of Skilled Specialists Impedes the Growth of Business Logistics: How Collaboration with Science Helps Address the Issue

January 28, 2025
The business logistics sector plays a crucial role in the global economy, being one of the key areas that ensure the stability of supply chains and the uninterrupted growth of the economy. However, this sector faces growing challenges, with one of the main issues being the shortage of qualified workers. The company VIA 3L, which manages several logistics businesses, has shared its experience and offers solutions through collaboration with the academic community.

According to Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė from the Faculty of Business Management at VILNIUS TECH, the increasing importance of the business logistics sector in the global market necessitates ensuring smooth functioning of supply processes, which is vital to meet the growing demand for goods and services.

However, the sector’s growth is hindered by the lack of qualified workers, which reduces companies’ competitiveness and limits their ability to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions. Companies are finding it increasingly difficult to find specialists who can combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills necessary for providing high-quality logistics services.

Technological advancements are creating new demands for employees, as modern business logistics processes are increasingly relying on advanced data analysis systems, innovative management tools, and technological solutions. In this context, business logistics specialists must constantly update their skills to adapt effectively to changing conditions and maintain the sector’s competitiveness in the global market.

VIA 3L’s experience demonstrates that the shortage of skilled professionals with practical expertise is one of the biggest obstacles to the business logistics sector’s operations.

“We need specialists who not only understand the theory but also know how to work with real logistics processes and technologies,” says the company’s CEO, Gintautas Čečys, adding that this shortage limits their operational efficiency and growth opportunities.

There is a lack of specialists in the labor market who can effectively use advanced technologies, optimize processes, and actively contribute to improving global supply chains. Practical skills have become a key factor in ensuring the smooth management of logistics processes and maintaining the company’s competitiveness in a dynamic global market.

VIA 3L actively collaborates with higher education institutions to address the shortage of qualified specialists and better understand market needs. Partnerships with universities allow the company to train specialists who can work with real logistics processes and contribute to the efficiency of global supply chains. The company shares its operational data, which is used both to educate students and to conduct research. This collaboration provides the academic community the opportunity to work on relevant sector issues using real data.

“PhD students conduct research that aligns with market needs, focusing on optimizing logistics processes and implementing digital solutions. These practical projects and data analyses ensure that the training of specialists meets the current needs of the logistics sector,” explains Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė, from the Department of Business Technologies and Entrepreneurship at VILNIUS TECH’s Faculty of Business Management.

Such research aims to optimize business logistics processes, introduce digital solutions, and enhance companies’ competitiveness in the global market.

Collaboration with the academic community provides practical benefits for both businesses and educational institutions. It becomes easier for companies to find suitable specialists who already possess practical skills and are familiar with the realities of the sector. Research based on company-provided data helps improve logistics processes and increase sector competitiveness, which is especially important in the context of global supply chains.

CEO Gintautas Čečys emphasizes: “Collaboration with the scientific community is one of the key steps in addressing the shortage of specialists. Only by working together can we strengthen the entire logistics sector.”

Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė from VILNIUS TECH adds that integrating research with practical training allows not only the preparation of specialists but also the creation of new solutions that help companies overcome modern challenges.

Collaboration between business and the academic community is one of the most effective ways to address labor market challenges. VIA 3L’s experience shows that such partnerships not only help reduce the shortage of specialists but also promote the growth of the logistics sector. This model serves as an excellent example of how combining practical experience and scientific research can create sustainable solutions for improving supply chain efficiency and boosting competitiveness.

The interview was prepared by Doc. Dr. Jolanta Nalivaikė, Associate Dean for Communication and Community at the Faculty of Business Management, and Professor Dr. Aurelija Burinskienė, from the Department of Business Technologies and Entrepreneurship.

 

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Student Memo: Where to park your car or bicycle, eat, and find your classrooms
Student Memo: Where to park your car or bicycle, eat, and find your classrooms
When starting your studies, it is not always clear during the first week where you can park your car or bicycle, which building your seminar will be in, or where you can eat or heat up your own food during breaks. To make settling into the academic year easier, we have prepared this memo. Student Car Parking: Students attending lectures at Saulėtekio al. 11 can park their cars in the lot located on Šatrijos Raganos Street. There is no barrier in this lot. How to find the lot: Driving from Saulėtekio al. – going up the hill past the roundabout and the university buildings. Or entering from Pragiedrulių, Mileišiškių sodų, or other streets onto Šatrijos Raganos Street – going down the hill before the roundabout and the university buildings. Students attending lectures on Plytinės Street can park in the lots located there. Students can enter the gated lot by tapping their activated student ID card at the terminal. Entrance to the lots is from Plytinės Street. Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute (AGAI) students, lecturers, and students or staff arriving at "Linkmenų fabrikas" can park in all lots. The barrier opens by tapping an activated student or staff ID card at the terminal. There are no dedicated parking lots for students attending lectures at the Old Town Campus (Trakų rūmai). Canteens and Cafes: Saulėtekis Campus: "Maisto imperija" (Building S2, 1st floor) – weighed food (you can build your own plate) – 1.70 € per 100 g, lunch of the day – 7.50 €, snacks, coffee, and other drinks. You can also heat up your own food here. Working hours: Monday–Thursday: 08:00–16:00; Friday: 08:00–15:00. "ARC BISTRO" (Building S3, 1st floor) – a menu consisting of a multi-course selection and daily lunch at a fixed price (up to 10 €), as well as snacks, coffee, and other drinks. Working hours: Monday–Friday: 11:00–15:00. Plytinė Campus (P2, 1st floor): "Confetti" – a menu consisting of a multi-course selection and daily lunch at a fixed price (up to 10 €), as well as snacks, coffee, and other drinks. You can also heat up your own food here. Working hours: Monday–Thursday: 09:00–16:00; Friday: 09:00–15:00. Old Town Campus (Senamiesčio rūmai): "Confetti" (Islandijos str. 3) – a menu consisting of a multi-course selection and daily lunch at a fixed price (up to 10 €), as well as snacks, coffee, and other drinks. Working hours: Monday–Friday: 07:45–15:00. Places where you can heat your own food in microwaves: When using microwaves, please maintain cleanliness, follow safety rules, and respect others: do not put in or heat items with shiny surfaces (e.g., cutlery, aluminum foil, etc.), do not slam the doors or other surfaces, wipe or clean the inside of the microwave or other surfaces (including the kitchenette) if needed, do not cut in line, and do not stop someone else's food from heating without permission, etc. Saulėtekis Campus: In the "Maisto imperija" canteen (Building S2, 1st floor), as well as in the Sustainability Centre (Building S5), and the 5th and 6th-floor kitchenettes in Building S6. Plytinė Campus: In the "Confetti" cafe (Building P2, 1st floor). Old Town Campus: In the Faculty of Architecture's 2nd and 3rd-floor kitchenettes (at the end of the corridor). AGAI: In the 2nd-floor kitchenette of the old building (near the Dean's office). It is planned that microwaves will also be available in the new building in the future. Linkmenų Campus: In the 2nd-floor kitchenette at "Linkmenų fabrikas". Library: Room 119, 1st floor. You can also make tea/coffee here. Places to leave your bicycle: Saulėtekis Campus: At special bike racks near the entrance to Building S2, and in the Central Building parking lot. Plytinė Campus: In the two designated bicycle shelters in the courtyard between buildings P1 and P2. Old Town Campus: At special bike racks near the entrances to each building. AGAI and Linkmenų Campus: At special bike racks near both departments. Library: At special bike racks near the entrance. Department/Building Abbreviations: Saulėtekis Campus (Saulėtekio al. 11, Vilnius): S1 Central Building (Administration, International Studies Centre, International Relations Office, etc.) S2 Classroom Building S3 Educational Building (Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Business Management) S4 Classroom Building (Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Sustainability Centre, Food Laboratory) S5 Educational Building (Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Sustainability Centre, Food Laboratory) S6 Laboratory Building (Faculty of Fundamental Sciences, Information Technology and Systems Centre, Academic Support Centre, etc.) S7 Laboratory Building Plytinė Campus (Plytinės str. 25, Vilnius): P1 or P Laboratory Building P2 Educational Building (Faculty of Electronics, Faculty of Mechanics, Faculty of Transport Engineering) P3 Educational Building Linkmenų Campus (Linkmenų str. 28, Vilnius): L1 Building (Institute of Building Materials) L2 Building (Road Research Institute) L3 Building L4 Building L5 Educational Building (Linkmenų fabrikas) L6 Educational Building (Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute) Old Town Campus (Trakų str. 1, Vilnius): T1 or T Educational Building (Faculty of Architecture) T2 Educational Building (Faculty of Creative Industries) T3 Educational Building T4 Educational Building T5 Educational Building Old abbreviations that might still appear in some contacts: SNR – Senamiesčio rūmai (Old Town Campus) SRK-I – Saulėtekio rūmų pirmas korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus First Building) SRK-II – Saulėtekio rūmų antras korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus Second Building) SRL – Saulėtekio rūmų laboratorinis korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus Laboratory Building) SRL-II – Saulėtekio rūmų antras laboratorinis korpusas (Saulėtekis Campus Second Laboratory Building) MAC – Saulėtekio centriniai rūmai (Saulėtekis Central Building) AGAI TLK – Antano Gustaičio Aviacijos instituto Treniruoklių ir laboratorijų korpusas (Antanas Gustaitis Aviation Institute Simulator and Laboratory Building). Other Addresses: Kyviškės Airfield: Lakūnų str. 7D, Kyviškės Sports and Art Centre: Saulėtekio al. 28, Vilnius Library: Saulėtekio al. 14, Vilnius Lithuanian Maritime Academy: I. Kanto str. 7, Klaipėda. Thematic Reading Rooms in Faculties: Architecture and Creative Sciences Reading Room (Trakų str. 1, T1, 1.15, Vilnius) Technology and Management Sciences Reading Room (Saulėtekio al. 11, S1, C03, Vilnius) Mechanics, Electronics, and Transport Sciences Reading Room (Plytinės str. 25, P2, 179, Vilnius) Maritime Sciences Reading Room (I. Kanto str. 7, Klaipėda)
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