There are some of
the opinion that logistics certification is not necessary because they feel
that if a logistics worker has already worked for many years, then they should
be considered an expert in their field. Some also think that certification
would be worthless to them as their company would not give them additional
support, appreciation or any other advantage as a result of being certified.
But others feel that certification is important, because in this era of
competitiveness and free trade, Indonesia needs to rank its workers by skill
level so the most highly competent will be identified and recognized.
We need to
realize that the competitiveness of our human resources lies in the
competencies of knowledge, skill and attitude and official recognition for
these competencies in advantageous. With certification, companies will hire
Indonesians more readily because they will have reason to believe that the
worker is recognized either nationally or internationally as an expert. Indeed,
not all companies will accept recognition of competency from a professional
that has no documentation to support it.
A couple of years
ago, I was taking with my CEO and he said that is company was unique in giving
more acknowledgement and appreciation to workers who display problem solving
abilities and seek out solutions that help the company reach its goals rather
than those with only certification. Still, professional certification remains
the easiest way to command a higher salary even if the person has no problem
solving ability. I was sad to hear that, but it is reality. According to him,
although many people have certification of international standard, most have
next to no real problem solving ability.
What we can learn
from this is that workers who have professional certification must also possess
competency and experience. So, it is better to work a while for a company
before deciding to seek out professional certification as a confirmation of
competence. Of course, a worker that is a true expert at his or her job and has
their competence proven with certification will bring added value to the
company that hires them because they will feel confident that this is indeed a
proficient worker as they have been certified. This type of worker can also
boost revenue because he or she is different from ordinary workers who do not
have formally recognized expertise of national or international standard. That
is why it is important that the certification is issued by a specialized agency
of the government or a universally well respected private issuer.
Obtaining
professional certification is not about just getting a piece of paper as a
recognition of competence, it should stand as proof that one’s expertise,
ability, experience and competence have credibility. For example, if you had
the choice of hiring an uncertified worker that only claims he or she is a
competent forklift driver or a forklift driver that has certification, which
one would you choose? Of course the letter, because you want to make sure that
the forklift driver will operate the vehicle safely and be proficient in
operating it.
Therefore, it’s
very important for us to focus on the development of the logistics industry’s
human resources. There are some notable factors that reflect the reasons why
Indonesia still has low ability in this area:
1. Limited
number of competent candidates
2. Lack
of certification
3. Lack
of variety in overall knowledge
4. Few
experienced in working for multinational companies
The actions
program in the human research section of the National Logistics Blue Print
(source from: Indonesia Logistics Association (ALI), states:
Step 1 (2011 –
2015) Organize and implement an educational system for national logistics
professional training an international standard.
Step 2 (2016 –
2020) Most logistics workers in Indonesia have national logistics certification
and those that have international standard certification are from accredited
institutions.
Step 3 (2021 –
2025) All logistics worker in Indonesia have a national logistics certificate
and those that have international certification are from accredited
institutions.
In support of
this action program of human resources, the Indonesian Logistics Association
(ALI) offer vocational program, like this ALI Certification/Vacational Program,
though Sembada Pratama.
This
certification program is designed to give logistics workers the knowledge that
they need to be of national level certification. The government gives its full
support to this development as in line with the master plan to increase the
competitiveness of our logistics human resources. ALI, though Sembada Pratama,
offers certification program in three levels, which are the operational level
(CLIP), the managerial level (CSLP) and the strategic level (CSLM). Started
just a few years ago, this action program to increase the skills of human
resources in logistics in anticipation of ASEAN implementation and the ASEAN
Frame Work Agreement on Services (AFAS).
An era of tighter
competition will begin with the free movement of ASEAN members and local human
resources will be forced to increase their knowledge and ability and each
country will surely require the certification of its skilled laborers. The
acknowledgment of profession people though this certification is important as
it proves the qualification and competency of each logistics worker. Advantages
to having certification are:
1. The
recognition of a worker’s standardized national/international knowledge
2. Increased
knowledge and outlook leads to better managed logistics operations
3. The
ability to build a professional career and get the best quality job
So, by having
this professional certification, it will give added value and not only just a
new title behind your name.
If one reads the
Thai Government’s Capacity Building Strategies of Thailand Logistics Plan (2007
– 2011), it reveals that Thailand is very concerned about it logistics human
resource development as it stresses the added value of professional
certification.
Therefore, the
development of national logistics human resources is necessary, especially in
anticipation of the liberalization of the logistics sector under ASEAN. A
proliferation of workers with educational degrees and vocational degrees must
be part of comprehensive solution for the development of competency and
expertise in national logistic human resources. Through cooperation between
universities and associations, national professional certification could
provide the logistics knowledge which is needed to enrich the country’s
logistics workforce.
Reference book:
Indonesian Logistics Association
Source:
Logistics+ Vol.
XI Issue No. 60