Growth in the level and complexity of transport and logistics activity has placed a strong focus on the recognition and development of the industry’s professionals. Five prominent membership-based professional associations have responded by introducing a unified and standard approach to professional certification across Australia, under the auspices of the Transport and Logistics Certification Council.
“A shared interest in raising the level of professional recognition in the industry has brought these associations together”, said the chair of the council, Dr Daryll Hull.
“They have agreed that two core industry standard accreditations be made through each association. The Certified Professional Logistician (CPL) and the Certified Transport Planner (CTP) awards have been created to give employers a clear sense of an individual’s capability and professional standing in the sector,” Dr Hull said.
The CPL program recognises logistics professionals who have made a significant contribution in the field of logistics and supply chain management. The CTP program recognises transport planners who have attained broad experience and educational qualifications in the field of transport planning.
Accreditation is obtained after careful assessment by the nominated association of each candidate for the award, with a recommendation for the awarding of a CPL or CTP then made to the certification council.
Dr Hull said that an important feature of the CPL and CTP programs is the requirement for continuing professional development to maintain initial accreditation. This commitment to continuing professional development benefits not only certificate holders but also their employers, as it underpins currency of skills and knowledge.
“In a recruitment process, a candidate holding a CPL or CTP has the advantage of being able to highlight regular and independent professional assessment of his or her capabilities”, Dr Hull said.
When hiring new professional staff, businesses and industry organisations can use these industry recognised standards by indicating in advertisements and briefing to recruitment companies that a CPL or CTP (whichever is applicable) would be preferred from applicants. This will assist in qualifying the applicants as part of the selection process.
Dr Hull said that towards 100 candidates have progressed to certification as a Certified Professional Logistician or Certified Transport Planner since the introduction of the programs in late 2007. The potential for further take-up is significant, to the benefit of individuals, businesses, and the industry generally.
Background
The CPL and CTP programs have been introduced by six national bodies active in developing Australia’s transport and logistics professionals, and in increasing skills levels in the industry more generally. The Transport and Logistics Certification Council comprises representatives of all six bodies and oversees the management of the two certification programs, the awarding of individual certificates, and regular auditing of the professional standards involved. The members are:
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Australia (CILTA)
Logistics Association of Australia (LAA)
Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA)
Australian Institute of Traffic Planning and Management (AITPM)
Australasian Production and Inventory Control Society (apics)
Transport and Logistics Centre (TALC)
Each of the participating bodies provides ongoing management of continuing professional development activity as part of its involvement in the programs.
The first step to securing a CPL or CTP requires application through the program websites – for the CPL
www.cplinstitute.com and for the CTP
www.ctpinstitute.com. Assessment can be sought through membership of one of the five professional associations involved, or through the TALC. There is a fee of $500 (including GST) for the initial assessment and accreditation stage, and thereafter an annual renewal fee of $75 (including GST) to cover review of professional development undertaken in the preceding twelve months.
Further inquiries
Telephone contact inquiries can be made through 1300 790 743. Email inquiries can be directed to
info@talc.com.au. Alternatively, members of a participating association can contact that association directly for information on the programs.