CILT SL to launch Young Professionals Forum

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) will launch its Young Professionals Forum (YPF) Sri Lanka chapter, aimed at young professionals working in the logistics and transport sectors on 30 November 2011 at Sri Lanka Japan Cultural Centre (Sasakawa Hall) – No. 04, 22nd Lane, Colombo 3.

“The forum aims to strengthen the appeal of the CILT SL to young professionals between the ages of 18-35 years of age who are involved in the logistics and transport sectors. It will provide these youth a platform to voice their concerns and issues, demonstrate their leadership capabilities and shine in their professional sphere,” said CILT SL Executive Committee Member Nujith Samarawickrema, who has been involved in the CILT SL chapter for more than four years.

The Young Professionals Forum will provide a great opportunity for budding professionals to network with others working in the same sector. Since transport and logistics is a vast area, professional in this field rarely get the opportunity be involved in the complete process involving transport and logistics.

The industry involves diverse modes of transport such as sea, air, road, railway and also value added services such as freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution, and fora of this nature will allow professionals to share knowledge and skills.  Similar to Sri Lanka, a number of CILT chapters across the world have already started their own youth fora to identify potential leaders for the future.

According to Samarawickrema, it is also a great opportunity for young professionals for career development and to demonstrate their leadership skills. Once the Young Professionals Forum is launched the members will get a chance to form their committee which will work closely with the senior membership of CILT. What is more, members of YPF can also take part in the ‘Annual Young Leadership Award,’ which is a prestigious global youth Leadership Award.

The YPF aims to engage young professionals by emphasising the benefits the CILT has to offer them; and create an environment that is meaningful and supportive of younger members keen to develop their careers. Membership of the YPF is open to members of the CILT in the category of a student, affiliate or a member.

Membership in the YPF will facilitate young professionals to be recognised within CILT and become a chartered member or Fellow thereafter. Those who are interested in taking part at the launch of the Young Professionals Forum can obtain more information on the same from the CILT SL Secretariat on Tel: 11 558 8852 or e mail: [email protected].