Aah! For seasoned logistics professionals, wouldn’t it be lovely to hear these words from a youngster?

It is a fairly safe bet to assume that they have never actually been uttered in real life. So here we are, in the midst of an economic downturn, scratching our heads wondering how to entice young people into our industry.
To combat this, the tutors on the programmes for logistics and supply chain management at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) have taken up the challenge, and this has led to the development of initiatives targeted specifically at school-aged children.
Last year, MIT joined a government-funded scheme called ‘Gateway’. This programme allows students in Years 11 to 13 to gain experience in the workplace, combined with formal training, which then enables them to gain credits towards a national qualification.

Working with careers advisors
MIT tutors visit schools regularly and hold careers advisors events at the MIT New Zealand Maritime School on Quay Street in downtown Auckland.
“We welcome discussion and collaboration with careers advisors,” says Helen Wilcox, lecturer at the Maritime School. “Once they have glimpsed our industry, and the size and diversity of it, we find that they are keen advocates and can communicate the possibilities to their students in the right language.”
Many local employers have enthusiastically partnered MIT in this scheme, and the course is full for both semesters in 2009. “It’s a promising start in helping young people to experience our industry, and hopefully choose a career in it,” Helen says.

A worthwhile career
One of MIT’s most successful recent ventures has been the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain programme. This attracts professionals from other sectors as well as employees who would like to formalise their experience in the logistics industry. Last year, the average student age on this programme was 36 years.
“That’s a good indication of just how long it can take for non-industry folk to realise that logistics is a worthwhile career,” Helen says. “The Maritime School is proud to support the industry, and we know that one of the best ways to do that is to use our resources to attract young people into a logistics career.”
In a stretched economy, there is a growing demand for distance learning and part-time courses. Workers are nervous of leaving their jobs to study, and are also mindful of increasing their own competitiveness by gaining a qualification.
In July, the Maritime School will be launching a new distance learning course: Certificate in Commercial Logistics. The programme is aimed at those with at least two years’ work experience in the industry, and will cover all the fundamentals of transport, freight and shipping, with a focus on progression to supervisory roles.
But in the meantime, it’s back to the drawing board to figure out how best to entice the school leavers into a career in our industry.

For further information on the NZ Maritime School’s courses and programmes,
visit www.maritime.ac.nz