Value of Training

Author: Phil Charles CMILT
Professor of Transport
The University of Queensland

How much do you know about multimodal integrated transport? Quite a lot, probably; particularly if you’ve been in the field for a considerable length of time. But, how confident are you that you’re on top of the most current information affecting transport?

For instance, can you name all the key changes that have taken place over the past year, and explain what those changes mean for you, your organisation, and for the industry as a whole?

Do you fully comprehend the relationships between transport, land use and planning studies? Can you thoroughly describe the types of studies and plans that are utilised for specific undertakings? How well-versed are you in the methods of obtaining funding for planning studies? Do you know how to develop options, integrate transport modes, and evaluate options?

For success in multimodal integrated transport, it’s not enough to get by on what you learned in the past. Policies affecting several key areas related to transport can quickly change, impacting the industry mildly or wildly. Since some policy changes take effect without much fanfare, it can be easy to miss essential adjustments, and be left out of the loop when the time comes for critical decision making.

If you’re a seasoned transport professional, you already understand the value of keeping your finger on the pulse of emerging trends in the industry. Yet, many years on the job may tempt experienced professionals to rest on their laurels a bit, mistaking notches of time served for professional proficiency. This is a dangerous mistake that can readily place your perceived authority in jeopardy.

If you’re new to the industry, or have your sights set on advancement in your field, then you likely recognise the advantages to be gained by broadening your scope of knowledge on topics relating to transportation. Even as you gain on-the-job insights, you may still be missing out on fine details that can make big differences in your daily operations. Supplemental training exposes you to additional information you may not receive within your regular circles of operation. Of course, the quality of training you receive is only as good as those providing the training.

Don’t be caught off-guard. Keep yourself ahead of the curve by stepping beyond mere maintenance of your industry knowledge, continuing to sharpen your skills on a regular basis. Invest your time wisely by seeking the best education in the industry, seeking training from skilled, experts experienced in all aspects of transport.

The benefits of enhancing your understanding of all relevant topics relating to multimodal integrated transport are manifold. Possessing keen insights, and knowing how to act on that knowledge, can place you at the head of the pack. Instead of being just another transport professional, you could gain a reputation as the go-to resource industry leaders depend upon. With your heightened acumen and quality training, you’ll possess the ability to leverage your knowledge, performing your duties with less time invested on a project. This translates into reduced stress and fewer work hours, while yet yielding an increase in productivity, maximising your value to your organisation and to the industry as a whole.

The advantages of superior supplemental training are improved performance with reduced effort; the advantages of skating along with just the bare minimum of continued education results in mediocrity (and the risk of putting your authority in jeopardy). When you compare the two options, there’s simply no question as to the value of investing in your professional grooming.

Find out how receiving this training could boost your professional standing into another league – see Transport Futures Institute's Multimodal Integrated Transport course page -  being held 19-20 March 2014 in Brisbane.

Members: Comment