Home Fleetwatch 2018 New thrust from CILTSA to meet industry demands

New thrust from CILTSA to meet industry demands

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Charles Dey, chairman of CILTSA, looking into the future to address the growing demand for qualified professionals in the logistics industry.
Charles Dey, chairman of CILTSA, looking into the future to address the growing demand for qualified professionals in the logistics industry.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILTSA) is undertaking a ‘revitalisation and modernisation’ campaign in order to address the growing demand for qualified professionals in the logistics industry. In line with this, the association is calling for input from industry through a market survey it has launched.

“The benefits of deeper engagement with CILTSA are that corporate members will be able to shape the structure of this important professional body into the future and become master of the industry’s destiny. The principal objective of the survey is to assist in aligning directly to the needs of our current and future corporate members. This will enable us to develop the critical skills which leverage a competitive advantage for our members,” says Catherine Larkin, Executive Director of CILTSA.

Larkin points out that an effective supply chain is fundamental to the success of an organisation particularly in ensuring efficiencies across trade platforms and to address the emerging needs of current and future members.

According to Charles Dey, chairman of CILTSA, the organisation has provided a professional springboard for qualifying logisticians and supply chain managers for the past 100 years.

“We are now looking to address the advent of disruptive technologies and global developments in the industry in order to ensure the highest levels of service while providing leading solutions in skills development in line with the needs of its corporate members,” he says.

The business community is seriously affected by the supply chain skills gap in South Africa which is hindering logistics capabilities, as well as the country’s ability to perform more effectively economically. Dey says that increasingly, logistics associated businesses across the country are finding it more difficult to maintain efficient and effective services allied to the delivery of goods locally and for export.

A recent break-through by the organisation is that it secured funding from the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) for the training of 30 employed women and is inviting employers to enrol learners for this historic learning opportunity. Successful learners will be awarded the International Certificate in Logistics and Transport by UK-based professional body CILT International.

This is the first time that TETA has awarded funding for a Candidacy Programme which will enable the students to apply for internationally recognised professional designations while enhancing the skills levels of their own organisations.

Larkin is coordinating the ‘revitalisation’ process and can be reached on cvlarkin@ciltsa.co.za.