The CILT International Convention Debrief

The CILT International was hosted by CILT Malta from Monday 2nd until Friday 7th May in Sliema, Malta. The event was attended by over 120 delegates, representing CILT territories and branches across the world.

On Monday 3rd May delegates attended a workshop where they contributed to the review of the Key Knowledge Areas (KKAs) and provided feedback on the Education Working Group report into professional education. Their contribution will be incorporated into the next step of the KKA review in which experts from different disciplines, both inside and outside the CILT will be asked to review the key knowledge requirements for Chartered Membership. Their contributions will be included in the final draft of the revised KKAs which will be sent to all Members, territories and branches for final comments in the October 2010. We want to have the final document ready for publication by the end of the year.

Changes to the CILT Bye-laws were approved by the Privy Council on Tuesday 6th April 2010. However Monday afternoon saw for the first time a meeting of the new governance structures defined in the 2010 Bye-laws; the Council of Trustees, International Audit Committee and the International Management Committee.

These committees will meet once per year at the Convention and face-to-face one other time during the year. They will also utilise audio and video conferencing to meet at other times. The next IMC meeting will be in Sri Lanka in September/October.

During their meeting the Council of Trustees confirmed the extension of Mike Pestereff’s term as Honorary Treasurer for one year, during which time he will chair the International Audit Committee.

The International Management Committee (IMC) agreed to:

 Ÿ Prepare a CILT Business Plan and Project Progress Report for distribution to CILT Territories and Branches by
      June 30, 2010

 Ÿ Extend the remit of the Education Working Group to complete the revision and update of the Key 
      Knowledge Areas (KKAs) for publication by the end of the year

 Ÿ Establish an INDIA Working Group under the leadership of International Vice President Saliya Senanayake FCILT
      to develop the Institute structures which represent the breadth of professions in all the major Indian
      logistics and transport hubs

 Ÿ Other key objectives for 2010 are:

  § Obtaining signatures from all Territories and Branches on their Delegation Agreements (Bye Law 47)

  § CILT Branding, corporate identity, international website and marketing

  § Building membership and participation by Young Professionals and Women

  § Extending CILT North America activities into key markets in United States and Mexico

 Ÿ The IMC also committed to communicating progress more effectively with the territories and branches by
      publishing a quarterly summary of their discussions and the project progress report.

The International Management Committee has approved a break-even budget of £139,000 for 2010 that will fund this development. Any additional funds raised above the budgeted figure of £44,000 can be re-invested in Education.
The International President – Len Harper FCILT opened the International Council on Tuesday morning. He reminded delegates how important the changes in governance and funding are the future growth of the Institute. He also reminded all territories and branches of the importance of meeting their obligations under the Bye-laws including:

 Ÿ Presenting their audited annual accounts by December 31st of each year

 Ÿ Providing their register of Chartered Members and Fellows, also by December 31st

 Ÿ Settling the invoice for their Annual Fees on time, in full. (Nine territories and branches still have invoices
      outstanding from 2009 fees)

A Delegation Agreement (as specified under Bye Law 47) will be sent to all CILT Territories and Branches, for signature by their senior officers, which defines the roles and responsibilities of the CILT organisation in that area.

The President went on to outline the expected outcomes for 2015 including the expansion of CILT to more than 50 countries.  The issue was not to focus on individual membership growth but to focus on the opportunity for strategic alliances with like groups.

Whilst organic membership growth was not the direction, it was expected that India and China would experience significant membership growth to 2015.

Education is the key factor in the development and profile of CILT.  CILT educational programs are favoured for their international relevance and quality.

Communications, information and technology have been key drivers in the development of CILT to 2015 with ongoing increased electronic access for members in regards to activities and events occurring across the international Transport and Logistics industry.

Up to 2015 CILT has continued to develop as a result of the synergy derived from working together.  This has occurred by leveraging off our strengths, listening to the CILT family about opportunities for CILT and the T&L industry and involving the CILT family in these developments.

In the period 2010 to 2015 CILT has had some problems but our strengths are bigger than our problems. Our weaknesses have been short-lived because we have effectively dispensed with those who do not want to be team players.  The strength of CILT, and the major reason for development, has been the synergy created by working together.

In the next 5 years to 2020, CILT will continue to develop our international presence.  Professional development of people in the T&L industry will remain a key driver.

Membership is expected to increase but the main result will be the recognition that CILT is an organisation that is relevant and is at all times prepared to take an active role in the betterment of the T&L industry and the people in the sector.

The Secretary General – Bernard Auton FCILT provided further detail of the new governance structures, the new fee calculation mechanism and the key objectives for the CILT in the medium term:

 Ÿ Retaining student members when they graduate

 Ÿ Increasing the numbers of CILT Accredited Centres with a more rigorous accreditation process, followed by a
      simplified, comprehensive student registration fee. 

 Ÿ Increasing individual and corporate membership in India, North America and China

 Ÿ Establishing new CILT branches in countries where logistics and transport are key to sustained economic growth,
      especially in Mexico, Brazil, Russia & Turkey

 Ÿ Building partnerships with other professional and trade associations particularly the Freight Forwarding community

 Ÿ Increasing income from sources other than education and membership

Delegates were given a new CILT Brochure that can be ordered from the Secretariat. Individual territories and branches can also have the brochure customised with their own name and contact details – an example for CILT Malta was provided to delegates.

161 students so far have registered on CILT Accredited Courses this year through CILT Ireland. CILT Hong Kong is processing over 40 applications per month for new professional membership. Applications for upgrade represent about 10% of applications.

Education

International Vice President Kevin Byrne FCILT shared the recommendations of the Education Working Group, which he chaired:

 Ÿ Retaining the CILT international professional qualifications and ensuring they are refreshed every 3 years and
      revised every 5.

 Ÿ Appointing a Director of Education as soon as financially feasible to drive development of professional education

 Ÿ Complete the revision of the Key Knowledge Areas by 2011

 Ÿ Maintain international accreditation through a larger network of assessors.  There are 17 Accredited Centres due for
      reaccreditation in 2010, 12 in 2011 & 11 in 2012.

 Ÿ By 2013 increase student numbers both in CILT Accredited Centres and on CILT Accredited Programmes
      worldwide to 20% of the global membership.

 Ÿ By 2013 aim to increase to 2,000 the students enrolled on CILT international courses.

The recommendation that the administration of our professional education revert from CILT Ireland to the International Secretariat was opposed by the Africa Forum and some of the other delegates. This will be determined after negotiations between the Secretariat and Dublin.

At the Convention it was announced that an Introductory Certificate in Logistics & Transport (at Level 2 in the qualifications framework) would be available for students to study through distance learning or at a CILT Accredited Centre. We will continue to seek additional modules and courses developed in CILT territories and branches &/or other organisations to add to the CILT professional education catalogue.
During the Convention CILT Hong Kong ked an accreditation of the Logistics & Transport Diploma developed by the University of Malta. The accreditation visit was observed by delegates from CILT Nigeria & CILT Malaysia, as well as the Secretariat and CILT Malta.

Young Professionals Workshop

The Convention was attended by Young Professionals from Hong Kong, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Malta. They discussed what the CILT must achieve to attract and retain young members and presented their results during the International Council meeting. Their recommendations included:

 Ÿ Investment in our international website with greater functionality to serve Members and facilitate networking,
      especially through to senior members in our industries.

 Ÿ Strengthening the CILT brand by utilising a single corporate identity for the Institute within an international
      marketing plan.

 Ÿ Researching the perceived benefits of CILT Membership for Young professionals and collating the reasons why
      they choose to leave

The Annual General Meeting

The Institute delegates accepted the CILT Annual Report & Accounts for 2009 which showed a small surplus that can be invested back into education. It is the first time the Institute has achieved a surplus in the last 10 years. Masers were re-appointed as Auditors.

International President Elect & Vice Presidents

The International Council endorsed the appointment of Alan Waller FCILT as the CILT International President Elect. He will become the International President at the end of Len Harpers term of office in January 2012. In the interim Alan will work very closely with the International President and Secretary General to ensure progress against our Business Plan and objectives for international growth. In that role Alan will also Chair the International Management Committee.

Steve Rinsler FCILT from CILT United Kingdom, Jo Brosnahan FCILT from CILT New Zealand and Teete Owusu-Nortey FCILT from CILT Ghana, representing the Africa Forum, had their terms of office as International Vice Presidents extended until December 31st 2010. Derek Bell FCILT from CILT United Kingdom and David Collenette FCILT from CILT North America were confirmed as new International Vice Presidents.

The International Showcase

The Showcase is an opportunity for CILT Territories and Branches to share successful initiatives that can be adopted by other CILT organisations to increase their membership and demonstrate their relevance to transport and logistics professionals.

CILT New Zealand shared the benefits of establishing a formal Mentoring Programme for young professionals and how a Leadership Development scheme should be provided to those in the middle of their careers. CILT Ireland and CILT United Kingdom have collaborated on providing a 20 module introductory course in Infrastructure Planning which has also helped grow membership in this sector. The programmes is about to be repeated with CILT North America. CILT Nigeria worked with CILT Hong Kong to offer a Study Tour of world class logistics and transport facilities for Nigerian students who travelled to Hong Kong. CILT Pakistan invited TRANSAID to visit them and identify transport development projects where they can work together. TRANSAID have already worked with CILT Zambia, CILT South Africa and CILT Sierra Leone on similar transport development opportunities. CILT Australia has run a series of regional awards leading to a National Award ceremony. The National winner could then be submitted to an International Awards ceremony held at the Convention. They invited other territories and branches to use their model and award criteria to run their own awards scheme and then invited the winners to an International Awards ceremony in Sydney.

The CILT Convention 2011

CILT Australia will be hosting the 2011 International Convention in Darling Harbour, Sydney. The programme will start on Sunday 1st May and the International Council Meeting and AGM will be held on Tuesday 3rd May. There will also be workshops, committee meetings, a Showcase, Technical visits, the Presidents Dinner, an International Awards ceremony, a Young Professionals programme and the CILT Australia Conference. The final agenda is still being developed and CILT.

The 2012 Convention hosted by CILT United Kingdom will be in June at a location to be confirmed.
The IMC will also accept applications from countries wishing to host the 2013 Convention. Details of what is required in the submission will be sent to all territories and branches by the end of June. The applications will be reviewed at the IMC meeting in September.

The President’s Dinner

The President’s Dinner was the social highlight of the Convention and an opportunity to thank those who have made a special contribution to the Institute.

Virginia Tang from CILT Hong Kong, David Brown from CILT Australia, Scott Dunn from CILT United Kingdom and Michael Hensley from CILT New Zealand were finalists in the CILT Young Professional of the Year. Micheal Hensley was announced the winner. He receives a £2,000 scholarship to extend his study of logistics and transport. In the last two years Micheal has led the development of a very successful Modern Apprenticeship Programme for school leavers entering the Freight Forwarding sector.

The President’s Medal recognises the significant contribution of an individual to the development and success of the Institute. On this occasion it was presented to Dr David Maunder FCILT for his work developing CILT professional education, accrediting CILT Centres and supporting the growth of the Institute, particularly in Africa.

Honorary Fellowship is the highest and most prestigious award the Institute can provide. It was the unanimous recommendation of the International Council that an Honorary Fellowship be presented to Richard Hunt FCILT for a lifetime of work with the CILT. He has been a board member of CILT United Kingdom, their Chairman, President and International Vice President. He led the merger of the CIT and IOL and the international growth of CILT as our International President. He is still active raising funds for the Aspire Foundation and mentoring many senior members of the Institute. Enrolment at the CILT convention was higher than anticipated so the financial performance was also better than forecast. CILT Malta used some of this surplus to establish a bursary in Richard’s name.

The CILT Malta Conference

Four international speakers shared their views on the challenges facing the logistics and transport sectors across the world. With acclaimed careers in air freight, shipping, manufacturing and organisational leadership they all brought their own perspective to a profession leading the way out of recession, contributing to economic growth and sustained development. Their ideas were compared and contrasted with the results of the CILT Annual Survey of tactical, business planning and strategic issues in transport and logistics.

A 25% fall in almost every transport and logistics indicator has been followed by a more rapid recovery than we have seen in the past. The growth of India and China will see a shift in the key logistics and transport activities from Europe and North America towards Asia. Rising fuel prices will drive efficiency and environmental considerations will play an ever increasing part in our sectors activities. Transport and logistics will have a key role to play in efficiently moving resources to and from, and people within, expanding urban centres. Demonstrating professionalism, connecting networks and higher demands for lifetime learning means there is a greater opportunity for the Institute than ever before.

The following day CILT Malta arranged a tour of the Freeport container yards, Playmobil manufacturing & distribution, and the Visnet Cruise Terminal in Valetta.

To view the pictures from the Convention please click here.