The Sri Lanka chapter of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) will celebrate 25 years of operations in Sri Lanka this year by incorporating a special section for youth. “To develop the logistics sector in the country, we want to increase the level of professionally qualified persons in the sector. With this in mind, as part of our 25th anniversary activities, CILT will be promoting youth memberships through a young members club or association. These young people will have their own budget and will be able to operate independently,” said the Chairman of CILT Sri Lanka and an International Vice President of CILT, Saliya Senanayake.
The Institute also plans to expand its internationally recognised educational courses in logistics, to more people in the country. These measures will help reduce the cost of logistics services in Sri Lanka, by increasing the number of professionals in the local logistics sector. A qualified workforce in the logistics sector is expected to provide wide benefits to the country by helping to transform Sri Lanka into a logistics hub in the South Asian region.
“The cost of logistics is about 22% of GDP in Sri Lanka. This cost will reduce if there is greater efficiency in the provision of logistics services. For instance, in the US, the cost of logistics services is about 11.6% of GDP and in India it is 17%. So if we can improve our logistics services the cost to the country will reduce. Efficiency of service delivery can be improved through a proper education on the sector. This will also help Sri Lanka become a logistics hub in the region,” he told The Sunday Times FT.
The CILT plans to open its doors to young school leavers, to increase awareness about the logistics sector in the country and to promote its internationally recognised qualifications.
“We will work with schools to target A/L students, to raise awareness about the industry and the availability of recognised professional qualifications in the logistics sector,” said Mr Senanayake.
The CILT currently offers a Certificate course, a Diploma and an Advanced Diploma course in transport and logistics. The courses are available at the Colombo International Nautical Engineering College (CINEC). Starting from this year, CILT courses will also be available at the Hill Street Academy. These courses provide an academic and work oriented training that allows immediate employability of students.
“The CILT Advanced Diploma is equivalent to a Bachelors Degree in the UK. Students following these courses have an industry exposure, and as a result, are immediately marketable. They do not have to spend time doing internships after the course,” said Mr Senanayake.
The University of Moratuwa, Department of Transport and Logistics Management, also offers a degree course recognised by CILT.
Membership at the CILT is currently on individual basis, but from this year will also be open to corporates. The institute will also target already working people in the logistics and transport sector, to follow its courses. These qualifications, say the institute, open not just employment opportunities but also career advancement opportunities for the already employed.
“The employment structure is pyramid shaped. There are fewer top job slots as you climb the corporate ladder.
So if you have a professional qualification that is internationally recognised, this will be a differentiating factor from the competition for those top positions,” explained Mr Senanayake.
The CILT, which is incorporated by royal charter is currently active in about 33 countries and has a global membership of about 33,000. This wide network of members, says the CILT offers local members an opportunity to network at a professional level and also increases international opportunities. In Sri Lanka, the institute is incorporated under an Act of Parliament. |
E-mail