Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
•   Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Working Life

Transport Administrators are responsible for carrying out tasks under the direction of a road transport manager. These tasks are mainly administrative and financial duties connected to the movement of goods and passengers by road.  
 
Duties may include estimating the costs of haulage, invoicing clients, lodging payments and general office work such as dealing with paperwork and storing information either by filing or on computer. They can also be responsible for organising rotas and arranging for the delivery and collection of goods.  
 
Clerks dealing with the transportation of road passengers have additional duties such as dealing with passenger enquiries and complaints.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials.
• Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programmes and activities.
• Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
• Plan, organise, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organisational requirements.
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.
• Analyse all aspects of corporate logistics to determine the most cost-effective or efficient means of transporting products or supplies.
• Resolve problems concerning transportation, logistics systems, imports or exports, or customer issues.
• Develop and document standard and emergency operating procedures for receiving, handling, storing, shipping, or salvaging products or materials.
• Monitor operations to ensure that staff members comply with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, environmental policies, or government regulations.
• Analyse the financial impact of proposed logistics changes, such as routing, shipping modes, product volumes or mixes, or carriers.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Road transport clerks receive on-the-job training from employers with the opportunity to study part-time for the examinations of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Ireland.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: office procedures, business administration, supply chain, logistics, distribution.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: transport, logistic, distribution, supply chain.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Supply Chain Associate.

Search for Apprenticeships

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €70k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, shift pattern, location, and experience. 

Data Source(s):
Lincoln/ Morgan McKInley/ Sigmar/ Indeed/Excel

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Stock control clerks and assistants; Transport and distribution clerks and assistants.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Numbers in the LFS are too small to allow for any detailed analysis. New employment permits issued in 2022 related mainly to transport and distribution clerks along with various logistics and customs roles.

The Recruitment Agency Survey identified issues in sourcing freight forwarders. There was a relatively high share of jobseekers registered with DSP in December 2022 who had previously been employed as stores/despatch clerks and storekeepers.

• Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Ireland

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