Transport Operations Training

Transport involves the physical movement of products between the providers and the receivers. It is a critical activity, performed at most stages in the supply chain process. In pure financial terms it is the second largest element (next to storage) in total distribution costs. Transportation also represents the physical operation's interface with the customer and is often classed as the "ambassadorial" activity of the supply chain. The primary objective of transportation is to deliver the right goods, to the right place, at the right time, in the right condition at the minimum cost.

The Transport Operations Master Class enables the learner to explore how this objective can be achieved.

Who should participate?
The Transport Operations Master Class is aimed at individuals and teams involved in the day-to-day management of a transport operation. This course is particularly relevant to organisations looking to improve the efficiency of its current transport operations through improving mode selection, vehicle scheduling, working methods, legislation-adherence and cost / benefit analysis. What will they learn? Participants will learn how to analyse the transport operation of a business and how to evaluate the current performance. They will learn how to investigate what is required of the operation depending on the service requirement and volume demand. Next they will develop options for improving the transport operation. Finally they will identify what actions are needed to implement the improvements.

How will they learn?
Participants will learn by using the learning system developed by People Development Group. SCILworld is a simulated environment containing a simulated company called SCIL plc.

During the Transport Operations Master Class, the participants take on the role of a newly appointed Transport Manager in this fictitious company. Their specialist coach takes on the role of their manager, and sets the learner a challenging task asking the learner to explain how they would complete the task within the simulated environment. The learner completes the task by submitting a series of reports, the coach being on hand should the learner require guidance.

Participants will be required to develop and demonstrate a detailed knowledge of:
1. The current processes and future needs of the simulated business.
2. How the effective management of the transport operation can impact on company profitability and customer service.

Fees and learning methods The Transport Operations Master Class is available as a face-to-face event, by distance learning or by a blend of the two. For an additional fee, face to face courses can be put into context to reflect a particular company's operation and culture. As the blend of learning will vary, depending on the needs and learning styles of the learner, there is no set fee.
Please telephone +44 (0) 1530 276590 for details.

Face-to-face tuition
Classroom based, ideal for people who benefit from a participative inter-active approach.

Distance learning
A coach supported private study option where learners have the option to work where and when they wish. Learners will work within the unique SCILworld simulation.

Course Content

The 'learning by doing' approach requires the learner to complete a major task which is broken down into the following components:

. Analyse the Existing Operation
Analyse the inbound and outbound activities including the modes utilised and the use of 3rd party operators.
Analyse the volume requirements - average, minimum and maximum to be handled and the weight/capacity relationships.
Analyse the vehicle characteristics and loading/unloading capabilities.
Analyse and understand the routing and scheduling activities.
Analyse the legislative compliance for operators licensing, driver's hours and maintenance arrangements.
Analyse the current management information being used to control the current operation and how the information is used.

. Investigate Requirements
Identify how to meet the inbound transportation of supplier collections.
Identify how the transportation element fits with the planning of manufacturing activities.
Identify the service and cost trade-offs required to meet the customer's service requirements.
Identify the key performance indicators needed to improve and monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the transport operation.
Determine the appropriate measures and systems to ensure compliance with Operations Licensing, Construction and Use Maintenance, Drivers Hours and Licensing and Working Time regulations.

. Developing Options
Identify improvements that should be made to the current transport operation. This will include: Improvements to working methods and processes.
Improvements to procedures e.g. health and safety, maintenance of equipment and legislative compliance. Improvements to the management of contractors including third party operators.
Development of a unit cost per customer.
Identify what information should be gathered and used to plan and manage the operation both short (day to day) and longer term.
Identify changes to the use of resources to improve utilisation and productivity.

. Selection and Implementation
Recommend what improvement actions to take in the short and longer term.
Identify and recommend what actions need to be taken to ensure the improvements are introduced and sustained.