Telecoms challenges hamper training providers

Training in Africa is severely
hampered by the lack of
telecommunications. Megan
Harris, marketing consultant for the
Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers,
says many enquiries are received
from especially West and East
Africa and usually from individuals
and not companies.
“Telecommunications poses a
huge challenge as we find that not
all potential students have email or
internet access, and this restricts our
ability to communicate with them.”
Combined with the bureaucracy
and time delays, training on
the continent can be extremely
challenging.
But, says Harris, the eagerness
to learn and secure careers in the
industry poses a great opportunity
to the ICS.
“Africa is a region of great
potential growth for us, and we
certainly hope to be able to tap into
this through dedicated and targeted
marketing efforts.”
One such effort was recently
launched when a new West Africa
branch was opened. Headed up by
Gary Miller from Lome in Togo,
the Institute hopes to attract
new students.
“Business has been stable over
the past few years despite the
global recession,” says Harris.
“We have forecast a 10% increase
in sales during our financial year
which ends in May 2010, and are
confident this will come to fruition
with the dedicated marketing efforts
we are undertaking.”
As the only internationally
recognised professional body
representing shipbrokers, ship
managers and agents in the world,
the ICS has 24 branches in key
shipping areas.
Harris says while many
companies put training budgets on
hold due to the financial crisis,
they also found that many were
using the recession to train and
retain staff.