Following the previous success of the comprehensive ‘Breakbulk Masterclass’ training course, the Portilog training centre is launching a shortened version of that course on breakbulk at the industry’s request on 22 April 2024. Recently, the brand-new ‘Breakbulk basic training’ already premiered internally for employees of Antwerp logistics player Zuidnatie.
The ‘Breakbulk Masterclass’ shot out of the blocks in 2012 and for years was a fixture in the training offer of Portilog, the independent training centre of and for the port-related and logistics sector in Antwerp. The masterclass training provided an overarching view of all aspects of the breakbulk market, while the basic training provided a balanced overview of the breakbulk market and its stakeholders.
Different location each time
Stéphanie Feys, maniging director of Zuidnatie, attended the first series of classes of ‘Masterclass Breakbulk’ in 2012. “I was at the beginning of my career at Zuidnatie and was working as hr manager at the time. The course was taught by a team of experts from the port sector. They came passionately from the field to talk about topics like steel shipping, port labour, maritime regulations and imparted other basic knowledge of the market,” she says. “The master class course was not only a strong course in terms of content, but it also provided networking opportunities. The course took place weekly at a different location at a company in the port, followed by a tour. That variety created an overall experience.”
For its part, Zuidnatie is happy to help promote breakbulk courses. “From our expertise in general cargo, we provided a lecturer for the ‘Breakbulk Masterclass’ and made our breakbulk terminal at Churchilldok available for a guided tour,” she says. “Training is very important to monitor knowledge transfer in the breakbulk sector,” she stresses. “The expertise in shipping general cargo is gradually disappearing in our port. We are therefore happy to help Portilog transfer knowledge wherever possible.”
Corporate training
In the brand new abridged ‘Breakbulk basic training’, trainees get an overview of the breakbulk market and its stakeholders, the role of breakbulk in the port, port technology and the organisation of port labour. The new training will officially start only in April 2024, but in the meantime, it has already gone on twice at Zuidnatie internally. “We have attracted many new young employees in recent years. To introduce them to the general cargo market, Portilog suggested organising the in-company basic training tailored to our company. The instructor is Erik Adriaenssens, managing director of Antwerp shipping agent Boeckmans. He is very knowledgeable,” says Feys.
The first reactions were already positive. “Our colleagues were very enthusiastic,” she says. “Those with little experience in the general cargo sector found it a strong course in terms of content and learned a lot during the lesson. In turn, our more experienced colleagues found it a good refresher. Thanks to the group training, our people also get to know each other better and know who to turn to with their questions.”
Practical
The ‘Breakbulk basic training’ is not only aimed at shipping agents and forwarders, but is suitable for anyone who comes into contact with breakbulk. After the training, knowledge can be further built up ‘on the job’.
When. ‘Breakbulk basic training’ starts on 22 April 2024 and includes two classroom sessions from 18:30 to 21:00 and a digital exam from 18:30 to 20:30.
Where. BluePoint, Filip Williotstraat 9, 2600 Berchem
Surf to portilog.be for the full study programme, class dates and registration conditions.
