An investigation of the awareness and exposure of young transport and logistics professionals to continuous professional development in Namibia

Abstract

This paper investigates the awareness and exposure of the young professionals in the Transport and Logistics to Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The young professionals are students who are studying the Transport and Logistics professional qualification at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). This investigation is shaped by the school of thought that CPD should become integrated into the learning curriculum, before professional degrees are obtained and should be progressed after successful professional attainment. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key motivational factors why professionals need continuous improvement, and to understand exactly why a single qualification without further development no longer suffices. This paper further investigates whether CPD should be implemented in workplaces and made compulsory. Quantitative research will provide for more comprehensive findings, CILT students that have registered at the Namibian-German Centre for Logistics (NGCL) were chosen for this research. The sample size of 129 students studying part time at CILT were given questionnaires to complete. The results show that the majority of the young professionals at CILT were familiar with what CPD is. The investigation revealed that the students are aware that they are participating in CPD in one way or another. This study however shows that the students confuse professional bodies with universities, law and physical training institutions. The study shows that the intrinsic motivation for participation in CPD will propel Namibia forward as the students positively associate continuous learning with increasing skilled work force, reduce poverty and enhance innovative thought. Overall our research found a solid basis for the promotion and extension of a CPD culture and its principles in Namibian company HR departments, and the paper includes recommendations for in-company best practice in this respect.