The Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies (BCIS) has joined with The Academy for International Trade and Transport (AITT) with the assistance of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) to enhance capacity building in Sri Lanka, by formulating a new educational venture in training and development in international trade and transport on a practical scale.
There is a large vacuum in Sri Lanka for skilled personnel, who are adequately trained to handle the growing demand in the logistics arena. At the same time there has not been much emphasis by many governments over the years to focus on the need to train and enhance the skills and build capacity, thereby extending healthy financial returns to its professionals who are involved in this vital trade which forms an integral part of the country’s economy.
The AITT is based on the concept that practical training is of vital importance to those serving this industry as well as to those new entrants aspiring for a career in freight forwarding.
In addition to the valuable exposure and the learning experiences of the course, the top five performers of each certificate course will gain immediate employment opportunities while details of all successful candidates will be kept in a job bank of the future recruitments. SLFFA members will give preference to these AITT students in overseas employment in their own offices and also through their global links and through the network of FIATA partners.
The AIIT-BCIS certificate course will comprise 50 hours of lectures based on UNESCAP guidance, and will be extended to practical learning experiences provided by FIATA. AIIT plans to develop up to eight modules within the next two years and to award their students a diploma once they complete 200 hours of training with AITT-BCIS.
