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The Southampton port tour A different way of learning


New ‘behind the scenes’ tours are complementing and adding a different dimension to BIFA’s traditional training courses. Here our training development manager, Carl Hobbis, explains more


How did these ‘behind the scenes’ tours come about? The simple answer is, just by talking to delegates in breaks during training courses about different types of sessions they have attended, delivery methods and learning styles. The more I talked to people – especially younger learners – I discovered that hardly any had visited a port, airport, or even been inside a warehouse.


Also, with many of our members being small


and medium-sized enterprises, again just by asking, I discovered that they did not really have the numbers, time, or sometimes even the contacts to ask the right people to try to organise one – as some of the larger companies do.


In addition, with BIFA traditionally not doing much training during the Easter and summer school holiday periods, I suggested we should try something new and make better use of this break in our schedule.


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Through the very simple market research I had now accumulated, I knew there was a definite appetite for this, so approached some providers and we have now done a couple of trial runs.


How have they gone? Great, both have been oversubscribed. The first one we did was at dnata, Heathrow; the feedback was superb from all delegates. We learnt a lot and where we could improve certain elements for the future. More recently, DP World Southampton hosted


our group. In three hours you can learn so much and leave with an appreciation of what happens to cargo when it is given to ports or handling agents. There is nothing like seeing things with your own eyes to learn, and it is even more important when you are new to the industry. For example, take the Southampton tour. As well as an overview of DP World, delegates saw the full aspects of landside and ship-side activity, including an outside terminal port tour to


see containerships, trucks and rail freight in operation. Unfortunately, the British weather was terrible, but typical.


The dnata tour was similar, from the point of trucks arriving at the gatehouse to the final build of the aircraft pallets.


So, are the sessions only for those new to the industry? No, but apprentices and trainees will get first opportunity. Then, if there are any spaces left we will offer them to others. I realise this is not popular, but with the imminent apprenticeship and the need for 20% off-the-job learning, these tours can help in a small way


Is there any charge? No, we just expect everyone to make their own way there and turn- up, especially as spaces are limited.


Are there others planned in 2018? Yes, we have firm dates from Felixstowe, Southampton and Liverpool for August and September. Other locations will be added as well.


To express your interest in future sessions, please contact c.hobbis@bifa.org or s.hammond@bifa.org who will add you or your colleagues to the distribution list.


May 2018


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