Education is an important requirement in any field in order for anyone to learn about that field and put that learning to work..
Such education and learning may or may not be formal depending on various circumstances..
Education and learning in Shipping, Freight and Logistics industry is no different to any other industry, but in my opinion there are not much options for formal education in our industry compared to other industries..
So this week, instead of an article, I thought I would run a short poll as part of a general analysis I am doing in terms of shipping and freight education..
Do you have a formal educational qualification like a degree, diploma or other formal qualifications relating to Shipping, Freight and Logistics ??
If you have any of the above then vote YES, otherwise vote NO..
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.Voted..?? Thank you.. Now,
If you voted YES, please post a short comment on
- what kind of formal education in shipping and freight you have
- how much did that formal educational qualification actually help you or is helping you in your day to day shipping, freight and logistics work..
If you voted NO, please post a short comment on
- why don’t you have a formal education in shipping and freight.. Is it because of
- lack of options in the industry
- other reasons
- how did you manage to get where you are without a formal education
Really appreciate your inputs..
I firmly believe that securing a degree, diploma or other educational qualifications alone doesn’t make one an expert in a field..
There are many successful people in all industries all over the world who don’t have that “paper” that says they are qualified.. There are also many people who are highly qualified on “paper” but can’t hold a candle to the real pioneers and experts in the industry and in a lot of cases are dependent on those without that “paper”..
I have a total of 30 years of shipping experience and I am member of Institute of Chartered Ship Brokers London and appeared for a course in PG Diploma in Foreign Trade Management. The learning from on field experience and the academic knowlesdge help you to be a professional in the way you handle shipping related queires from customers.
Hello
Can you please guid me some shipping education because i am doing job in shipping company
Personally I hold a bachelor degree in International transport and logistics besides having graduated with a diploma from the BIMCO Danish Shipping Academy.
All education was completed while simultaneously working for a freight forwarder the first two years followed by two years at a Shipowner in the oil sector. Now finding myself in a comfortable position for a freight forwarder in Shanghai.
I simply missed the many diverse aspects on the logistics/freight forwarding side.
Hope this could add a little to your data and questions.
Mr.ANDERS,
Your experience was verg useful.moreover iam a student from srilanka and iam targeting to study logistics and transport degree for my bachelors.i have choosed this field.please let me know some useful information with objectives and the practises that i should go through to be a successful one.
I will be waiting for your worth reply.
THANK YOU.
Hello Mr. Gandrup.
This information is very helpful. I am a student planning to pursue a diploma in air cargo management. I would like to pose a question to you. Kindly would you inform me if it is possible to do a diploma in air cargo management and still get employment opportunities in shipping and logistics?
Post graduate diploma in Shipping and Port Management.
My formal education qualification helps me to perform well my daily working activities including meet /solve the challenges.
Hello All.
Im Jorge from Ecuador. I do have a degree at Port Administration of “Universidad del Pacífico – Guayaquil”.
Currently, Im working at a Shipping Agency, Inside Logistics Coordinator, from 3 years ago to date.
Formal education gave me basics knowledge, but when you can be part of the daily process, you really undestand concepts and learn the dinamics of the industry is so amazing and complex. For sure, you would learn different things everyday.
Would like to congratulate and thanks Hariesh for this extraordinary blog, valuable information posted.
Keep going on!
Hi Hareish,
I posses a Professional Qualification in Shipping & currently a Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
Having such qualification not only gives me all the knowledge but also gives me much confidence to handle or face the situations we daily come across.
I don’t possess a formal qualification in Shipping Domain. I’m a graduate engineer in Computer Science. Entered the Shipping industry in the role of Quality Coordinator. Had learned a lot from my colleagues in my initial days while drafting the QMS, procedures & work instructions,etc. As days passed by, I gained more interest in the shipping industry. Of late, I work on quality & Documentation department parallely. It goes without saying that this Blog is one treasure trove for any ambitious guy who wants to further their career in shipping. Whenever I encounter a doubt, I search for it & land on the exact topic in this blog. This blog is highly recommended for anyone to have a general overview as well as an in depth view of various concepts in Shipping.
Good luck Harish..
Keep inspiring people!
I don’t have qualification in Shipping, but from the very beginning when I entered in Logistics industry, I followed only SHIPPING AND FREIGHT RESOURSES articles which are still very helpful .And with this I learned a lot practically also. Your blogs are very useful.
I am working as an internal auditor at NVOCC company. Considering that I’m a newbie and the industry requires a lot of interrelated documents, this website really helped me a lot to understand more the industry. I don’t have a formal study about the industry and I really owe my learning in this site. Thank you so much Mr. Hariesh!
Thanks Yamsaira, glad to be of help..
Am working in Freight Forwarding industry in sales.I dont have any formal education in logistics or shipping.
i find the industry very interesting and challenging.Reading this blog has helped tremendously.
Would like to join some course also as any added information will definitely help.
Hello Sruthisreedharan.
I am a student, looking forward to pursue a diploma in air cargo management. Am curious to know how is the day to day work in the frieght industry as an employee?
I have specialised in Road Transport Management with a two year campus course from Madras university during the year 1992.
Also I have multi modal transport management diploma from Institute of Rail Transport, New Delhi
Being no formal degree/diploma in logistics, we have worked in the Manufacturing Orgn. and secondly in Customs House Clearing Operations , therein we got some qualification. I cannot sustain with half knowledge. Henceforth, we want to get some more knowledge of in depth of logistics after reading your articles. Hope and share the more and more Knowledge in the same filed. Now , we are also doing the Air Logistics. we need some improvement in the basics and handling of cargo and DGR and Non DGR. Pl. advice.
United States – I started working part time in the industry while still in high school. I liked it so much I stayed in this career path and attended community college international trade and logistics courses at night.
Good for you Ignacio.. Good luck..
formal education has some part to play but shipping is more practical
This is Moe Cherry from country of Myanmar. Yes , I have the certificate of Logistics and Supply chain. But in Myanmar, there is no heavy trades. Now , I am working at one of logistics company in Myanmar. I would like to develop our country and know the international trade terms . In Myanmar, we use only container feeder vessels .I am appreciated your SHIPPING AND FREIGHT RESOURCE Blog and welcoming .From this , I got the many knowledge of other developed countries of trade terms. Thanks you Sir Hariesh Manaadiar.
Good day Moe, glad that you find the articles useful.. Trust you are subscribed o you receive all useful information regularly.. 🙂
Dear Sir
This is Riaz Ahmed from Jeddah Saudi Arabia, I don’t have such degree/diploma/certification in Shipping/logistics/supply chain, but I am interested in gaining one of them diploma because of my experience and related job, which I am doing now here in Saudi Arabia.
I have been in this field for 2.5 years and By lord I have good knowledge in Import/export, logistics, supply chain and customs clearance documentation as well as procedures.
Can you suggest me any good institute with appropriate expenses???
Hello sir , My name is Sham. I have done MY Post Graduation in Port and Shipping Management. My education helps me to understand the basic concept of this industry. However, I personally feel that practical knowledge is more important than theoretical knowledge. This blog is very useful to me as it always enlighten issues we come across in our day to day job at a logistics company.
Worked my way up from an order picker to a self educated freight forwarder by road, sea and air.
I once did a Logistics Teamleader course, to be honest, after 6 months of working in warehousing, there was hardly anything that I learnt from a fast-paced 80 hours course that I didn’t knew already before.
When it comes to shipping, with enough dedication, interest, eager to learn and dare to make mistakes and learn from them and Dr. Google you can achieve a lot.
After 2 years of handling sea freights, I’ve become the resource of my colleagues who have worked 10+ years in shipping and have been educated to handle them.
My philosophy? If someone else can do it means I can do it!
I dont have any Qualificaton in Shiping, Freight and Logistic and am currently working as a Shipping Officer, Pleaseadvic where will I study the Above Subject, Should there be any Institute I could attained this Qualificaton online please advice
I have a Diploma in Logistics from University Of Johannesburg (UJ), and its not helping me in anyway because I am unemployed with it.
1. Lack of options in the industry;
2. I guess, self education… You can find lots of information in internet….Your site is best example 🙂
It is because I have education in public administration (1 degree and 2 mba)
lack of information on how to go by to register and which school must I enroll to and what subjects are required for the shipping and freight
Hello sir , My name is Toufeeq Khan, I have done MY post graduation in International Business . Yes ,My education helps me to understand the basic concept of this industry, like what are documents are their , where it is used, what are the export schemes are their, how can we avail that schemes, whats is drawback , incentive, EPC, SEZ, . But i agree that practical knowledge is more important than theoretical knowledge . so if u know the basic concept of EXIM industry u can easily grab it .
Thanks
This blog is very useful to me as it always enlighten issues i come across in my day to day job at a logistics company.Though experience counts but formal basic knowledge is must in any field of activity.
Dear Sir, what you quoted is absolutely right. qualification doesn’t make you expert …. Only Hardworking, interest, dedication makes you success ……use your knowledge practically.
i am very much interest in the field that’s the reason i want to be your prestigious student. and try my level best to achieve my goal.
I really enjoy this article. I am holding a graduate diploma certificate in maritime management but not currently working but with the little theorical knowledge, am able to understand the shipping industry very much and hoping to translate that into practical work in due time. Beside this, I have learned a lot from your article which has help me to always be the best in class. Thanks so much for the good work you’re doing educating the world.
yes i really liked the article. i would like to share other reason here, even though my educational background is M.com and work wise i am a multi tasker. this quality today made me to work for Import department and handling 40-50 FCL shipments without difficulties. here i should thank my management and very very knowledgeable people who is continuously guiding,suggesting in all the steps and supporting. obviously my long term experience in the field made me to be thorough in the job. i am proud that our management providing such a wonderful opportunity to grow.
I have a degree in International Business with emphasis in Logistics Operations. I also have an MBA as well as a specialization in International Maritime Law (for non-lawyers). Although I withdrew after one year, I started my university education at the naval officers academy so I know my way around ships, charts, ports and legal matters all of which I apply on a daily basis.
Dear Carlos,
Having read your comments in regards to qualification in INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW (for non-Lawyers) as you rightly stated, I’ll like to express my interest and desire in acquiring a similar qualification due to the peculiarity of Nigeria market. I’ve identified a huge gap in the Freight Forwarding industry in Nigeria, and with my 6years field experience in shipping and Freight Forwarding, I wish to acquire a ground knowledge of the Legal frame works that will help me drive the industry to a greater heights.
So please if you can help me with the institution where you acquired your degree, I’ll be mostly grateful.
Here’s my email address incase you want to reply.: janksmikky@gmail.com
Thanks & Warm Regards
Ifeanyi Michael
I have my master degree in international transportation and logistics management from Indian maritime university. the knowledge which gain in my masters given me structure of shipping and logistics industry and how its works in today trade world.still need to learn more and more on logistics industry and currently working as inland transportation planner in maersk line india pvt ltd and the knowledge which gained from my master help me out in day today business activities.
I like it. I don´t have this kind of expertise because currently I’m studying the career of International Trade and I need to practise it
Dear Sir, I want become a Logistic manager, in this time I am logistic executive, I have no diploma and degree in logistic. I am MBA (Operations) pleas suggest suitable institute in india.
Dear Hariesh
I have a question..
are these certificates and degrees include Customs? (customs,customs affair)
Dear Mr Hariesh
i have master in international transportation and logistics from Arab Academy for Science and Technology but in fact the volume of knowledge that i achieve was a little , in work life it is not to easy to understand the whole process in logistics and shipping , this industry have a lot of elements costumes , freight forwarder, movers , lines , and every one have many departments , also any employee has a specific responsibility to do in his field , in Ur blog Mr Hariesh i feel that i understand the whole process from A to Z
Thanks
Hassan
Hold a BSc in Maritime Business + Maritime Law in additional I have completed the ICS qualifying exams and am a member of the Institute. These qualifications helped me to get work within the industry and the knowledge learnt during the course of studying is very relevant.
i hold an IATA diploma . I could learn basic things from there and it helped me a lot
Well basically I am working for a firm who are into exports mainly and as such I have to deal with freight, shipping and logistics. Having put in nearly two decades of service I have gradually grasped the subject. Still I need to learn at lot.
For years i had been a CLIENT in the freight and forwarding business with extensive travel , felt hard done by some experiences i faced and with the passion i had for the industry ,i put up a great team of guys to try and serve that niche market, so as the Director i will be pursuing customs and clearing studies and your blog has been very good learning tool .
Just over three years ago my boss told me that I was going to help purchasing by tracking our POs from international suppliers and get them into the factory on time for production. Since then I have been learning as I go along. Working in the food industry in the USA it has been challenging as new laws (FSMA in particular) are passed. I would like very much to have formal training; short classes with hands on work would be ideal but not much value is placed on training in my company. I find having an excellent relationship with your customs broker, freight forwarder and someone with strong ties to FDA to be invaluable resources as well as websites such as this blog. The shipping industry, especially when you are shipping internationally, has its own language that is constantly evolving.
i have a diploma with Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, it is helping me a lot.
Hi,
I hold a diploma in transport logistic and despite my experiences in that domain, I may affirm it’s not so important to have formal education in that area, what does matter is knowledge we learnt from practices.
I’m studying Maritime Business and Administration, and also part-time working at a freight forwarder company. I can’t tell what i’m learning in college is useful for my job, it is just bunch of theory.:) This blog is much more precious resource for me.
I’ve FIATA Diploma in freight forwarding which comprise of various modules i.e. air, ocean, rail, road, multimodal, logistics, custom clearance, insurance, dgr etc etc.
Plus I’ve done diploma on supply chain.
I have been in this business for 20 years and basically learned on the job. However I am currently enrolled in a certification course with CITT to become a Certified Logistics Provider
This blog is very useful to me as it always enlighten issues i come across in my day to day job at a logistics company.
i have a diploma in shipping maritime through shipping college UK.We are services providers in logistics at Bollore Transport and logistics Kenya ltd. i find my career to be interesting and have a lot of passion of it
Very informative and guided me throughout my gulf job.
I have 34 years work experience in shipping and logistics . Started working as customs clearing officer in mumbai and moved to Muscat -Oman . There worked with Towell Barwil Muscat (now Wilhelmsen shipping services ) Has worked with thier agencies such as AIR TIGER / ROADAIR/ IRISL (HDS LINES) and several freight forwarding agencies . Complete work exposure from bottom to top ( Marketing /commercial/operations). Retired from job at 63 yrs end 2015. Now settled in Palakkad -Kerala.
Dear Mr.Hariesh Manaadiar,
I have received formal education in shipping & freight from a recognized business academy in Colombo.Your website on this topic is very interesting & useful for me also. I appreciate your educational approach.
Best regards,
Ireneus Fernando from Colombo,Sri Lanka(Ceylon)
I have done a certificate course in certified trade and logistics professional from Dubaitrade affiliated with CILT also currently i am giving the PQE from Institute of chartered ship brokers Middle East branch. I have more then 3yrs experience in Logistics industry. Currently i am working as a Exports Operations Manager and handling all the export shipments of our office.
There are very few options for a course in shipping, i believe i had asked you this question before on this blog. However, the interest was built after the start of my career and the service that enables international trade takes place. Only thing that is supporting me is my experience, would like to pursue short courses on shipping, even if it is available online.
i have a certificate in Import Management from JJCI – this was the only type of “documentation / course that was available when I entered the shipping field. But, however I do believe that experience counts more that any “documentation” The very nature of the shipping industry is that it is constantly changing and evolving and the only way to keep up is to adapt to the changes and learn “on the job”. I have been in the shipping industry since 1981 – and am always amazed that job recruiters insist on formal documentation which the seem to be convinced is better than experience. This is so not true. There is a wealth of experience out there in the field which is now not being tapped.
Very great article, thank you very much, Hariesh.
I’m in this industry because of my previous job and experience as a Customs & Excise Official, I don’t have formal education in shipping, forwarding and logistics. At my age now, I came to learn that education does not only take place in schools and educational institutions, but it is out there in streets, workplaces, with people who are running various activities in this industry, in procedures and practices in place in this industry; in dealing with Exporters and Importers, transportation, shipping lines, various authorities etc., and not to mention the Laws/Acts and the regulations thereof, manuals and so on (which are there), and most importantly here, “Shipping and Freight Resource”.
To me “Experience = Practical Education less the Theory in formal education”.
With my little experience in this industry, I don’t want to do a three year Diploma or Degree – for me it is just very long. Most institutions requirements are to do a certificate first (which is very low in terms of experience) and then advance each towards a diploma or degree. I’ve happened to find one institution which was willing offer me a degree in shipping and logistics within a year, taking into account my experience in the industry, but due to rate of exchange turned to be very expensive for me.
Best regards
Alpheus
Hi Hariesh, an excellent article and idea. You are absolutely correct in that one does not necessarily require a degree to work within the freight industry; however, it has become increasingly a demand by many businesses. Experience appears to be a minor factor these days. A further point is that many businesses do not want people over a certain age irrespective of their experience and furthermore, without a piece of paper. An added disadvantage is that the recruitment businesses, in my opinion, are not very helpful these days. The bottom-line is that “it is who you know” that will get you ahead. That is the sad reality of today’s life within the freight industry. Keep up the excellent work. Best regards, Muhammad
Dear Sir,
i have started as a accounts assistant in my organization before 10 years from initial stage i am working in finance department i have try to several times pass the finance module examination but i could not then i am searching what is the reason for i can not pass the examination finally i found i am not interest for specific area finally i am moving to logistics department after that i am completed export development fundemantal course,completed CHA course, currently following supply chain material management course in ISMM institute in Sri Lanka, hope full next year i will start my Master degree in supply chain management it is very helpful to my carrier thanks for your articles and awareness regarding shipping because most of things i got from your articles and notes also i developed my carrier today my position is operation executive. at the same time now i am going with my goal that mean logistics manager therefore before you studding please check whether it is interest field or not it is led to your bright future like me….
My studies were in Business Management and administration.
It has provided a foundation which I’ve built many years of logistics experience and knowledge onto. I’ve been fortune to work with many ‘old dogs’ who’ve passed on knowledge to me.
Personally, with my family life and long work hours, I do not feel I could study at the moment, and recall that I battled to study at varsity too.
Dear Hariesh,
Unfortunately not too much option on Spain for it. When i say not option to get formal education at university. I mean start a career in this industry from moment 0, There are lot of options as MBA or other but this is after you get a degree in other subject or industry, and are more as specialization, not a formal education. I think that at least in my case that i have a economy degree, with international trade specialization. The time give us the education. the experience during years working on the industry is our only education or specialization.
Mikel Soto
Even though I have formal education, I am working in the industry for over 10years now.
Dear Hariesh Manaadiar, this discussion is informative and very important. Experience, they say, is the best teacher. Theory without practical will not yield the best result. I have Diploma in Shipping; Diploma in Purchasing and Supply; Bachelor in Transport Planning and Management also, a student member of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. All these courses are somehow interrelated and considerably make the shipping business more interesting with less error. Having educational qualification in my own perception will really help to reduce big risks which might be hidden and catastrophic in nature. It also helps in self recognition in professional discussion during bargaining or negotiation, i.e, a professional will always talk like a professional, meaning you cannot give what you don’t have.. It also helps to move above and others follow in most cases. Thanks.
I don’t hold a higher degree or a paper but I feel confident of what I am titled for and succeeded so far and I am known as an one of the experts in my field at the company that I work at including shipping freight & logistics
I have a formal education in Transport planning and management which teach about everything in transport and it has really help me a lot, even though am still looking for job in shipping or any transportation line
After 22 yrs of working in government finance dept., switched to private manufacturing unit as GM and successfully managed mining, processing and exports for 8 yrs. Later on when having crossed 60 yrs of age managed only exports for another manufacturer for 3 yrs. We don’t have any lack of educational opportunity, there are plenty reputed institutions, online portals and even government run institutions. The lacunae is having me entered the field little late.
I have managed by grabbing books on customs and logistics along asking questions to CHA, Shipping Agents, Exim consultants and surely following your blog.
Mahesh
I do not have any formal education as during my time there is not much college teaching on this, what i learn a lot is from experience together with self reading from the books.
I think with the fast moving and changing industry, its very important that we take formal education to be able to come across the new adaptations,regulations , customs formalities and many others.I believe in education and one must not stop learning because now days without certificate it becomes very difficult to get employed.I have a certificate in shipping,a diploma in maritime transport and International diploma in international freight forwarding,to be honest these qualifications are helping in many faces of the industry although i don’t have much practical experience as i am new in the industry.
Thanks for an excellent question Hariesh.
Gained experience through working environment at Department of Customs/SARS – Had to progress by completing the courses that were given at Customs. Never expected to work for clearing agent and found that the training at Customs was excellent, however, did not touch much on the forwarding side. Studying, (understanding), the Customs Act is critical in the shipping environment.
By the time I looked at what was in the offering did not seem to be quite related to what I required.
In the past by framing customs declarations manually, one maintained this knowledge much easier than now with all the systems available – it is more data capturing than actually tariff analysis, although this is still done – it seems to be more of a specialist function.
I did not have certificate & degree in logistics,shipping and forwarding. Of course I have been working in customs and have degree also.I have an experience on shipping docs,terms and practices. I hope formal education gives an opportunity to investigate more and more. I am really happy on your contribution to this industry.
I graduated Economics of Maritime Transport at the University of Gdansk.
Theoretical preparation for the profession was good. In college, he missed practices. Many have learned to work in the port and then forwarding companies – studies helped me a lot.
I don’t have the “paper” in the major of shipping, freight and logistics. However, I worked in the area of cargo inspection and marine survey for about 30 years and is considered as an expert in our company.
This job rely on experience very much, When a student just graduated from an university in the relative majors will not qualified to a job. He have to encounter many tough cases and solve them together with experienced coleagues, meanwhile to pile up the knowledge not mentioned in textbooks.
Anyway, I think the person who can working well in the line must be graduated from a major relative to engineering as this area connected with science too much. Usually, a graduate of Language, Philosaphy, or literature and so on is not easy to learn the knowledge and become a high-hand in the area of shipping, freight and logistics.
Hope the students for arts will not beat me.
THESE ARE MY QUALIFICATIONS:
Diploma in INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT MANAGEMENT(DIFM)
Certificate in East africa Customs & Freight Forwarders Practicing Certificate (EACFFPC)
TRADEX (Simba system) Certificate on Kenya Customs declaration declaration imports and exports.
KENTRADE Certicate on new customs single window system (KENYA).
ASYCUDA Certificate on Uganda imports and export declaration system.
Currently doing; B COM (TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS)
Am very proud of this industry its an industry i have a lot of passion and desire to dig deeper in it.
Its currently referred as THE GREEN ECONOMY .
Shabir Dawood – Sales Manager @ a Shipping Line
MICS – PQE through Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers UK
BCom Logistics – UNisa
In my humble opinion, your experience and practical knowhow in the business definitely supercedes your theoretical knowledge.
It’s great to have the broader view that you gain from obtaining qualifications as it does widen your scope of understanding, however I don’t really think it’s critical in the Ships Agency/Shipping Line environment.
(A benefit and definite boost in your abilities/value adding capability but not critical)
The other challenge in RSA is that the industry is still very segmented. More transactional than Value Chain Concept.
Thus whilst you might learn a vast amount of things through your degree, but only ever get a chance to apply 5% of this.
Good day Hariesh
Thank you for a wonderfull and refreshing change of topic but equally important . This is very much what today’s Shipping Industry is all about.
No . I do not have any formal / academic qualifications (post matric)
For one thing it was quite a different era back then 1973. No computers back then.
One learned under supervision by practically doing the job . Asking questions and fitting the answers into the job itself making it work good . No mistakes , no problems , no costs .
Not easy but you were employed on potential / capabilities and as one performed well enough to progress so too would opportunities and salaries.
I was fortunate enough to have worked across the Industry having left the comforts of the office to work in the Port environment and other directly linked industries.
Returning to the Office I was / am quite able to put all the pieces together into a sequence of events to meet job requirements and perform accordingly.
That includes to a certain extent accommodating the advent of computers (which I must admit was quite difficult and I still tread carefully)
Today it is quite the reverse . One learns via the computers (which is quite the norm) and then learn to fit the functions which the computer is programmed to do producing documents and / or push the process further. Even now it is still a sequence of events albeit spread over quite a varied area of responsibility and functions perhaps well summed up in today’s SCM (Supply Chain Management)
Either way one has mix and match practical and theoretical practices to best meet job requirements / satisfaction and progress.
Just as there are no little people there are no menial jobs . It is all part of the BIG picture . Little tributaries make big rivers but at the end they all lead to seas.
So how do we fit in.
Leave it to you Hariesh to lead us further.
Thank you
CA
Hi Hariesh,
I have been in thiis industry for the last 20 years, with no formal qualification i had to really hustle to move up the ladder. During this time I have worked as Project Manager, Process Engineer and many other roles that would require a formal qualification. My question really is that, can this years of work expeirence be converted into something more tangilbe through our Higher Education system or any other body that support the Freight Industry. I am sure there are many other followers on this blog who may also be in my position.
Kind regards
Vishen
A formal education in shipping , freigh or logistics is herlpful but not really necessary.I know of many a industry leaders who do not have formal eductaion in this industry but have gone on to lead great companies and also hold to positions in this industry.At the end it is the experience and the knwoledge you gain whle working that will make you successfull hor not one has a formal education in this industry. I do not have a formal education in this industry due to financial constraints in the past and lack of option.Now at the advanced career level presently I am in, a formal education does not help.
I have the following qualifications:
SDS Diploma in Freight Science
Certificate – Customs Affairs
Certificate – International Forwarder
Certificate – National Exporter
Diploma in Export Management through IMM
Certificate in Supply Chain management
Busy doing my BBA (Supply Chain) through IMM
Complete Import and Export Administration (Itrisa)
When I started in this industry some 11 years ago, I was very green and came from the financial industry. Everyone told me that once the bug has you, it does not let you go. Well, that turned out to be true and I made this industry my career and I love it.
I have done every course possible in the industry, but I suppose that I have to stop studying some time.
In my 21 years in the industry I have added formal education periodically to my profile and I have to say the exposure with the day to day situations really test your knowledge and I certainly have seen the training work in a positive manner. Furthermore we never stop learning with the industry constantly changing.
When I was working for the companies where the shipment process and terms had to be known, the companies provided me with a 1 month training.
I have a masters degree in Maritime Law (Lund University, Sweden) and helps me a lot in my day to day work in a shipping company. But I have also learnt a lot while working in the industry. Diploma does not give you everthing, it is just a good start and helps you not to lose your way in this very complex industry.
Hi Hariesh,
I have a Diploma in Logistics and also in Customs import and Export, but most of the knowledge I have gained is by working in the industry. There is a distinct lack of good quality courses for persons who wish to enter this industry in actual hands on type training.
From my experience looking through many Diploma and Degree levels there is very little mention of Dangerous Goods in Road/rail or sea freight ( I exclude airfreight as it is very specialized and IATA/ICAO have courses for this), but still one cannot get the basic training whilst doing their diploma or Degree.
The IMDG does not even feature as a specific training module in either Diploma or Degree courses (having spoken to various institutions) and the CTU code of practice is not even known in the industry !!!!!!
One had to be in the industry first to hear about these and then do the courses available, instead of teaching them at Diploma or Degree level and getting students interested and involved right from the start. This would make a big impact on our industry by lifting the level of knowledge from when a person starts off and then grows into a management position, building on the information learned on the starting blocks.
Cheers
Chris
Mainly due to financial reasons, lack of awareness, lack of opportunities.
I learn by experience, it is my greatest asset.
lack of option in the industry
I started by working for Customs in 1984, there I did a compulsory 3 months training which covered the A to Z of Customs procedures, the Customs act and the harmonized tariff.
I was drawn to the harmonized tariff and spent a lot of my time at Customs getting to know the tariff book and in part also the customs act.
After my time at customs I joined the freight “agents” armed with my knowledge of the customs tariff, act and customs procedures.
Yes I have some university courses in logistics and international purchasing management module which helps me for getting some knowledge about that so I want to increase my experience in this course because it’s the one I like most so this course is helpful because most of basic needs in international sourcing I have had Know. So I need your help for better expertise in this field.
Thanks for your questions
Hirwa Ignace
I Have done below courses:-
1) Diploma in Transport Economics & Management course from Institute of Rail Transport, New Delhi
2) Diploma in Logistics from Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) London, U K
3) Graduate Diploma in Materials Management from Indian Institute of Materials Management, Mumbai
4) Post Graduate Diploma in Materials Management from Indian Institute of Materials Management, Mumbai
5) B. TECH (Mechanical Engineering)
Bachelor degree in Logistics and certificate in International administration of importers and exporters
I did my MBA in shipping and logistics. It helps me a lot in this industry
I have post graduated in supply chain management with 9+ years of. Work experience. My education knowledge is great foundation that actually face my 100% requirements of Daily supply chain. Operation .
I got a diploma in freight forward.
It has helped me get a better understanding of my work. I am able to make logical decisions, easily adapt to changes in the industry, get a better understanding of my clients needs and supersede their expectations.
I know all these is because I went thro formal training. You ask how. When I compare my actions with those of my colleagues, I find that I perform higher. It maybe hard to measure but the end result of a transaction speaks volumes.
My formal amounts to a great investment to my career.
Relevant question.Whilst I have several diplomas in the field ,I was brought up in the industry working bottom up.Cannot dismiss this experience as more relevant than a formal education.I do believe that imparting of skills in industry should be a norm .Practical handson experience is a must .
1 – lack of cost effective options in the industry.
2 – Through Google / Blogs / Books etc.
International Diploma in Logistics & Transport from CILT (UK)
It’s at-least help me to get an idea about the overall scenario and diagram of Shipping, Freight & Logistics of International Context and to do needful further according to that. It’s also help me to plan on that basis as well as to guide me where should I build and develop my knowledge furthermore to enhance my real time performances.
Hi There
Since there are not that many opportunities to get the proper education in shipping, I was never introduced to further myself.
I started in the shoe industry as a PA to the MD and was also asked and trained to do the shipping.
I have been doing it for 15 years and have furthered my knowledge by reading blogs like yours or reading up on things and what I know I have learned through the years through trial and error.
Thanks for your information.
I find it very informative
I have obtained the bachole degree of Economics and master degree of Knowledge management. To be honest, they do not have strong relationships with shipping and freight industry, except some caculation and management technics. After working in shipping and freight industry, I met many different questions and obstacles. Usually, I would look for help on Internet and the problems would be solved. But I cannot know where I am, which level I am standing on.
Hello admin =)
i received formal education in logistics industry in degree level at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UNIKL), Malaysia.
Im proud to be in logistics industry and knowledge i earned from university help me a lot when i jump to industry/ real job.
During my last semester, got offered to further study at Germany but due to several problems I decided to continue do practical in Malaysia and luckily received quick respond from this one company at Pasir Gudang. After internship program, they offered me to continue work with them in shipping department.
I love to read articles from this blog. Found this blog during my internship and my senior colleagues also read this blog if have any confusions in job relating matter. =)
I hope in future i can be in other field of logistics too and learn as much as i can.
Its hard to find logistic/shipping articles/ info as much as other field.
Thanks a lot admin for provided such as useful information.
Pray you get easiness in whatever you are doing for better in logistic/ shipping field.
Though experience counts but formal basic knowledge is must in any field of activity.
I started part time in the shipping and freight forwarding industry while still in high school (prep school). I so enjoyed the challenges and personnel I encountered in this industry that I stayed with it. I began in shipping/receiving dept and then progressed to air, ocean and project cargo accounts handling various international energy companies. I am still in the business and still love it! It provides such an adrenaline rush that I have become addicted to this line of work, not really work when one enjoys it so much!
i am graduated by agricultural economics in 2012 and in 2013 i started working in ministry of trade for two years then after two years of experience in 2015 i have been hired in shipping and logistics enterprise as research expert and now i am working in shipping company. up to now i have not any formal education in shipping and freight but as a researcher i have read many shipping and freight related books and research papers, from that i have a knowledge of shipping and freight because every single day i have read minimum 10 article about shipping and freight related word. because currently i am working in shipping company i would have formal education on this field of study directly and some related short and long period scholarship in the future.