The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), a global logistics association, has given the Ethiopian Freight Forwarder and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA), the industry’s lobbying body, the go-ahead to offer internationally accepted advanced training in the logistics field.

It has been said that having skilled labor on hand will encourage potential investors, especially those from abroad, to make investments in the nation as it is one of the most important components.

The Ethiopian association was founded in the late 1990s and has supported its members and carried out many lobbying operations in addition to conducting multiple capacity development trainings on its operational scope.

According to the association’s most recent announcement, FIATA has given EFFSAA permission to offer Ethiopian students a FIATA advanced diploma program.

The EFFSAA President, Dawit Woubishet, states that his organization and FIATA have reached an agreement to launch the higher training program in the logistics industry, which he claims is “the first for the continent.”

According to industry experts, one of the obstacles to improving the logistics sector, which is essential for economic growth, is the shortage of qualified labor in the field.

The organization has been working on a number of short- and medium-term training programs, some of which have worldwide association recognition, in order to supply the industry with competent labor.

Dawit claims that the new scheme will start this Ethiopian year.

According to him, the government is presently focusing on sector growth, which has made it possible to increase the number of competent workers in the industry.

The private sector was denied the opportunity to dominate the field with qualified expertise until a few decades ago, when local operators were allowed to enter the market.

Prior to this, the industry was one of the rare monopolies of state businesses that supported training for its own employees.

He claimed that the number of universities offering training in the field at the higher education level is relatively new.

He noted that EFFSAA had previously established the 14-module FIATA diploma program and had worked on several short-term training initiatives.

“The upcoming advanced training will be the highest at the FIATA,” he said. All modules will be included in the advanced program.

Maritime and multimodal transport, maritime containerization, air and rail transport, dangerous goods, information and communication, logistics, freight forwarding, and customs are parts of the FIATA module.

“The upcoming advanced diploma training that is recognized by FIATA would be eligible for those who trained on the FIATA diploma or at the leadership position in the sector,” Dawit told Capital.

The president of EFFSAA claims that there is a significant shortage of competent personnel in the logistics industry.

According to him, the association arranges for leaders and players in the corporate sector, as well as those who work in policy-making, to receive similar training with the aim to lead the sector with qualified personnel.

“The FIATA training will increase someone’s capacity and understanding of the logistics sector, enabling them to lead the sector with sufficient knowledge, even if they have been in it for a number of years,” Dawit, who is one of the prominent private sector operators in the country with more than three decades of experience, stated.

He emphasized that one of the most important factors in luring foreign investors to Ethiopia’s market is the availability of competent labor, including certified individuals with globally recognized credentials like FIATA diplomas and advanced diplomas.

“The availability of skilled labor is one of the key questions for those looking to invest in Ethiopia, so we fill the gap,” he stated, adding that in light of the logistics sector’s impending liberalization, adequate and qualified people are necessary; otherwise, potential investors might not be interested in visiting and making investments in the country.

According to him, those who have completed FIATA diploma and advanced diploma programs are eligible to work anywhere in the world since FIATA, the largest organization in the industry, recognizes their training.

FIATA is a membership-based, non-governmental association that represents freight forwarders in about 150 territories.

Approximately 6,000 individual members and 113 association members make up FIATA’s membership, which collectively represents the 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics companies that operate globally.