Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Transport and Logistics
TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS-CAREER INFORMATION SUMMARY
WHAT IS TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS? WHO IS A TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICIAN?
Transport and logistics is an integral part of delivering goods from suppliers to customers. It is a field that demands precision, analysis, and negotiation skills. It is an aspect of our lives that, we cannot do without. You might not be a practitioner in logistics but one way or the other, you will feel the impact of logistics and transport. E.g. anytime you need any item, you go to the market or the malls or any place you could get the item you want and then purchase it. After purchase you need to transport it home or to the destination you wish.
A transport and logistician is someone who has studied transport and logistics and whose focus is on transportation, specifically the efficient planning and procurement of transportation for products and materials.
WHERE DO TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICIANS WORK?
Transport and logisticians can work in government under ministry of works and supply, national planning and infrastructure development and ministry of communication and transport, where they are responsible for maintaining and developing nation’s transportation and infrastructure system. Also they can work in manufacturing industry where they are strongly involved in order-processing, purchases, production plans and schedules and so on,
They can also work in management of companies and enterprises where they are responsible for essential service of linking a company to its suppliers and customer. E.g. Synite Quarries Zambia, Mercury Lines Limited, PEP stores, etc. they also work in non-governmental organisations like Zambia Evidence for Health (E4H) Activity and John Snow Zambia where they are responsible for assisting in logistics and procurements for the Projects.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
Most of the tasks for transport and logistics are similar regardless of where one is working, if tasks differ then the difference is not that big. Their day to day tasks include: Allocating and recording resources and movements on the transport planning system. Ensuring all partners in the supply chain are working effectively and efficiently to ensure smooth operations. Communicating effectively with clients and responding to their requirements. Booking sub-contractors and ensuring they deliver within agreed terms. Directing all transportation activities, Developing transportation relationships, Monitoring transport costs. Negotiating and bargaining transportation prices. Dealing with the effects of congestion. Confronting climate change issues by implementing transport strategies and monitoring an organisation’s carbon footprint
The Logistics Officer can also perform the tasks in the Finance & Administration Team, tasks such as liaising with technical staff regarding procurement of goods and services. Planning routes and load scheduling for multi-drop deliveries. Booking in deliveries and liaising with customers, among other tasks.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICIANS?
Their work schedule more often than usual involves traveling when occasionally required, though not a regular feature of the working day. Their working hours are so flexible to meet the needs of the business. Long working hours and possibly shifts including working on the weekends are common in this profession. They work mainly in towns or cities throughout the country. Those who work in offices especially those in financial departments, they typically follow the normal 08hrs to 17hrs work schedule Monday to Friday.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
To start with, a graduate of transport and logistics especially with a bachelor’s degree qualifies to work anywhere, this is because most companies and organisations like recruiting fresh graduates from any kind of field of study for the graduate trainee positions where they are given time to work and impress in order to be employed permanently.
Taking Transport and Logistics as a profession is never a wrong or wasted action. It is a fast growing profession, so far as inquiring about a product, buying, Importing or exporting etc. is an everyday thing. Transport and logistics involves many types of professionals who plan, analyze, direct, and evaluate transportation. Entry-level jobs you may consider include logistics analyst and fleet supervisor. Transportation managers typically have prior experience in these jobs. they find jobs in Logistics companies, Supply chain consultants, Freight and shipping companies, Transport consultancies, Passenger transport providers (rail, bus, sea and air companies) and there are opportunities for self-employment like possibly to run own transport business. This makes the job market for transport and logisticians available to find in Zambia.
Transport and logisticians take up interesting job titles depending on where someone is working like, Logistics Officer, Supply Chain officer, Procurement & Stores officer, Heavy Equipment Repair Technician, Logistics Manager, Warehouse Supervisor, Logistics and Operations Officer and so on. The graduates of transport and logistics are needed mostly in the private sector and secondly in the public sector and the NGOs.
Scroll to the bottom for a list of institutions that offer Transport and Logistics
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To enjoy being a transport and logistician, you need to be a person who has strong numerical and analytical skill, this means that if you know how to read and analyse data and make interpretations that are useful to the company, you will make a fine career in transport and logistics. You must also be someone who loves forward thinking, as a transport and logistician, you must develop the ability to make accurate predictions of the possible needs of your company, as well as outcomes of actions made anywhere in the entire supply chain. Such skill will allow you to act faster, see risks that may arise, and develop contingency plans for problems that may or may not arise. You must always think and plan ahead. As the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
When one enrols into university or college to study Transport and Logistics you will learn the following subjects: management in logistics and transport, transport planning, inventory and warehouse management, fleet freight and passenger management, supply chain and management, transport operations, sourcing and procurement, production planning, international business among other subjects. And you need to pass them all in order to graduate and receive your degree or diploma qualification.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
School Certificate equivalent with Credits or Better in five (5) O’ Levels, including English Language and Mathematics.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICIAN?
To work as a transport and logistician you can also study Business Administration degree or degree in purchasing and supply or Economics or Environmental education. But typically a transport and Logistician needs to have a degree in Transport and logistics Management.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Once you study transport and logistics, you may decide to pursue a master’s degree in transport and logistics, or Business Administration (MBA), or Purchasing and Supply or Economics. A master’s degree gives you an upper hand when it comes to finding new jobs in competitive environments especially abroad. It’s a sign that apart from general skills, you have taken keen interest to master one area of your job more than other people. With a master’s degree one would become a university lecturer as well.
The reason why you need to advance your qualifications is for easy promotion into general management roles of larger units or more specialised roles where possible, and also the workforce is becoming more diverse every day. Hence the need to advance your career for increased retention rate. It also helps when you want a career change. I.e. even if you studied transport and logistics you can still change your career to health by studying master’s degree in public health.
Some organizations need a combination of education and several years of related work experience within transport and logistics management or in a similar field, in this case a master’s degree would help you stand a better chance of getting that job.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS
COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and distance
Admitting school: School of Business
Intakes: June/July
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 290816 or +260 212 290817 or +260 212 290815
E-mail: academicoffice@cbu.ac.zm
Website: www.cbu.ac.zm/fees/
UNIVERSITY OF LUSAKA
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Long Distance
Admitting school: School of Business
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 258505 or +260 962127952 or +260 976075850
E-mail: academic@unilus.ca..zm
Website: www.unilus.ac.zm/fees.php
DMI – ST. EUGENE UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree) / 2 years (Master's)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Management Studies and Commerce
Intakes: January and July
Location: Chibombo
Contacts
Tel: +260 977613644 or +260 976216068 or +260 977200088
E-mail: dmiseuzm@dmiseu.edu.zm
Website: www.dmiseu.edu.zm/academics-departments/school-of-management-studies/
COPPERSTONE UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Business and Management
Intakes: January and July
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 967 499 161 or +260 967 499 149 or +260 967 499 292
E-mail: copperstonecustomercare@gmail.com
Website: www.copperstone.education
LUSAKA OPEN BUSINESS COLLEGE
Programme duration: 6 months (Certificate) / 2 years (diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time and Open Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Business Studies
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 967 683 129
E-mail: info@lobcollege.com
Website: lobcollege.ac.zm
LIVINGSTONE INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING STUDIES
Programme duration: 3 years (Diploma)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Business
Intakes: January
Location: Livingstone
Contacts
Tel: +260 977 576286 or +260 960 949041
E-mail: libes@libescollege.edu.zm
Website: www.libescollege.edu.zm
GIDEON ROBERT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Business
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260969899875
E-mail: vc@gideonrobertyuniversity.com
Website: gideonrobert.education
CHALIMBANA UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Leadership and Business Management
Intakes: January and July
Location: Chongwe – Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 974 115 647
E-mail: info@chau.edu.zm
Website: www.chau.ac.zm/content/fees
ZAMBIA COLLEGE OF PENSIONS & INSURANCE TRUST
Programme duration: 3 years diploma
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Business studies
Intakes: January and June
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 979 446 457/ 0954 848 128
E-mail: registration@zcpit.ac.zm
Website: www.zcpit.ac.zm/fees/
UNIVERSITY OF AFRICA
Programme duration: 3 years (diploma) and 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Commerce and Development Studies
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 (0) 211 230 812
E-mail: admissions@keystoneuoa.com
Website: www.keystoneuoa.com/pricing