International Day of Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation debuts

According to the United Nations, there are more than 450 million supply chain, logistics and transportation professionals employed around the globe.

Members of CILT came together to celebrate the sectors’ contributions and raise awareness about their importance, organising events and activities worldwide. The day also coincided with the Institute’s 105th anniversary.

All about upliftment

Sharon Kindleysides FCILT, Secretary General at CILT International, explains that the initiative stemmed from a desire to uplift a sector that, despite employing vast numbers worldwide, is often unrecognised.

“The supply chain, logistics, and transportation profession employs a huge number of people globally,” Kindleysides says, “but the profession is often overlooked or ignored and doesn’t receive the recognition it should, and young people don’t feel motivated to join it. We wanted to create a day to celebrate everything that is good in the professions and encourage a diverse range of people to consider it as a career choice.”

The theme for the day, “One Network, One Global Community,” emphasised the interconnected nature of the global supply chain. “Consumers enjoy products made or grown all over the world. Natural disasters and the global pandemic have shown how dependent we all are on the supply chain to get the things we take for granted and how quickly delays can cause shortages in the shops,” explains Kindleysides.

Pivotal role for transport industry

According to CILT, the transport industry remains pivotal in connecting people, offering opportunities for travel and access to essential services. “The transport industry enables people to travel for education, work, leisure and to access services,” Kindleysides comments. “It improves the quality of people’s lives and means that people can still do the things they enjoy even without private transport.”

The launch of this special day was particularly significant as it coincided with CILT’s 105th anniversary, marking a moment to reflect on how the profession has transformed. “The profession has changed hugely since it was established, and we want to celebrate our founders who first met on 3rd November 1919 and took the first steps to establish the Institute we know today,” Kindleysides reveals.

SA plays strategic role

South Africa, as a major player in international trade routes, plays a prominent role within the supply chain, logistics and transportation sectors. Kindleysides points to the nation’s strategic role, which has been highlighted by recent events in the Suez Canal. “Recent disruptions in the Suez Canal have shown how crucial the sea route around the coast of South Africa is. Further, its position along major international trade routes with a coastline stretching over 2,800km gives South Africa access to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, providing considerable opportunities for maritime activities and services,” she states.

South Africa’s logistics sector is not without its challenges and achievements, as Kindleysides notes. The value of the sector stands at US$13.79 billion and is forecasted to grow to US$19.9 billion by 2030, driven by infrastructure investments and the need for skilled professionals. “This growth will require investment in facilities and infrastructure as well as ensuring people are encouraged to enter the profession in sufficient numbers and build the skills they need to support this growth,” Kindleysides explains.

To mark the day, CILT South Africa is organising a joint conference with CILT Zimbabwe and CILT Namibia, which will take place during the Futuroad Expo Johannesburg. The conference will address key challenges in the region under the theme “Unlocking Sub-Saharan Africa’s Potential: Transforming Transport and Logistics for a Sustainable Future”.

New committee will refine training standards

On the International Day of Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation, CILT International also announced the establishment of a new International Education Standards Committee (IESC) aimed at refining training and education standards in logistics and transportation. Kindleysides expresses optimism about this initiative’s impact in South Africa, where education providers accredited by CILT already operate.

“The IESC will be looking at approaches to refine and modernise our syllabuses to ensure they stay relevant to the current generation of learners. We already have several accredited training providers in South Africa and are looking forward to increasing our network to deliver world-class logistics and transportation education,” she concludes.