KEY POINTS:
As long as New Zealand trades, there will be demand for people with specialist skills in shipping, freight and logistics. Within this industry are many roles in operations, documentation, marketing and customer services and knowledgeable staff are hard to find.
Manukau Institute of Technology Maritime School's one year diploma in shipping and freight prepares students for entry level into such roles. The first semester covers cargo care, import export practice and transport law. The second semester includes container practice, supply-chain economics and costing, freight technology and customs law and practice.
Usually taught at the Maritime School in Quay Street, next year the diploma will also be offered at Manukau Institute of Technology in Manukau City.
The diploma is an intensive course that requires commitment. All applicants are interviewed by a panel which looks at personal presentation, communication skills, motivation and an interest in the freight industries. About 25 per cent of students are school leavers.
GRADUATE
Angela Gates
Age 30
Team Leader of the Americas and Australia Importing, Maersk New Zealand Ltd
Started January 2006.
I was keen to work for Maersk because it is the biggest shipping company in the world with offices in many countries.
I was first employed as a customer service agent in the Europe section of Maersk Line. This role involves answering emails and phone calls.
The customer service agent collates, checks and files all documentation before containers are released. Now I'm team leader. The job is about processes but there is also variety because you never know when you're going to be thrown a curve ball, such as having to redirect a container or deal with a incorrect container charges.
I left school at the end of sixth form, went travelling and ended up in Holland where I got a job in warehousing and distribution. When I came home and had my son, I decided I wanted to work in an industry that was stable and offered career opportunities and challenges here and abroad. I also wanted to set an example to my son about training and success.
There are lots of opportunities in shipping. However it is difficult to walk into a job off the street and start working at scheduling ships or taking calls about terms of sales and hazardous containers. I'm interviewing people now who have basic warehousing skills and that isn't enough.
The MIT diploma provides the in-depth knowledge you need about things such as legal contracts, terms of sales, and types of containers. You graduate with the theoretical knowledge and then by applying it, you make the connections between theory and practice.
The course is very theoretical and delivered in university style with text book and lectures, but classes are small and the lecturers are very good at giving realistic examples.
Generally in shipping you need to be a people person, particularly when working in customer service and sales. You also need to be good at processes, yet flexible enough to think outside the square.
I find it an excellent job that is challenging. I still have an awful lot to learn, but that is what I like about it.
EMPLOYER
Mike Richardson, Human Resource Manager, Maersk New Zealand The shipping, freight and logistics industries are dynamic and critical to New Zealand as a major exporting nation. Skilled employees are in high demand.
Angela had the skills and the ambition to further her career with the organisation and her studies were relevant to the role. We want people with the ability to quickly get up to speed. We look for strong data quality skills, out-going communication skills and the ability to quickly ascertain the issue behind the presenting problem.
Angela had achieved a great result in her studies achieving first place and the Tasman Orient Scholarship. The diploma graduates understand the big picture of shipping processes and know what is involved regarding roles of consignees, shippers and others in the industry.
TRAINING PLACE
What: MIT Diploma in Shipping and Freight (level 5)
Where: New Zealand Maritime School - Manukau Institute of Technology
Contact: 09 379 4997 or 0800 744 722 maritime@manukau.ac.nz
www.maritime.ac.nz
Prerequisites: 48 NCEA Level 2 credits or equivalent. Competency in written and spoken English. IELTS 6.0 required by non-native English speakers.
Campuses: Maritime School (central city) and Manukau Institute of Technology (Manukau city)
Begins: February. About 35 students per course. Applications close when course is full
Course cost: $4,587
Average starting salary: $36,000 - $40,000
