Special Achievement – Omaru Kamara
We are always happy to celebrate with our successful learners, and especially so for those who have overcome obstacles or challenges and had a really positive outcome. We hope that you will enjoy sharing some of the thoughts of these successful learners and take inspiration from their stories and ways in which their learning has made a difference to their lives.
Omaru started studying with us in 2016 and has completed the CILT(UK) Level 3 Certificate in Logistics and Transport, CILT(UK) Level 5 Professional Diploma in Logistics and Transport, and CILT(UK) Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Transport.
1. What is your view of the importance of learning in your career?
I believe that learning plays a crucial role in shaping one’s career by equipping individuals with valuable skills, knowledge, and fresh perspectives. These assets can greatly improve performance, foster creativity, and promote adaptability. Education is crucial for staying updated with the ever-evolving trends, technologies, and demands of the world. It also opens doors to new opportunities and potential for personal and professional development.
Witnessing how your passions can lead you on unforeseen adventures is truly captivating. Engaging in lifelong learning in the workplace offers a multitude of benefits that go well beyond just career advancement. This activity has the potential to uncover your passions, enhance your creativity, add excitement to your life, and pave the way for future opportunities.
Learning is an ongoing and never-ending journey that should not be confined to formal education or training. There are multiple ways to engage in the learning process, including reading, listening, watching, experimenting, collaborating, and reflecting. Learning can be a delightful experience, igniting curiosity, interest, and passion.
Learning is a fundamental aspect of who you are and what drives you. I am dedicated to gaining knowledge from every interaction I have with my clients and the wide range of information and content available to me through my predefined internal tools. I am committed to learning from my mistakes and continuously improving my responses. I aspire to enhance my abilities through continuous learning, enabling me to deliver exceptional service and foster positive relationships with my colleagues, superiors, and clients. Additionally, I aim to make valuable contributions to the progress of our department.
2. Why did you choose to do an actual qualification as opposed to a course?
I opted for an actual qualification instead of a course because it aligned better with my personal and professional goals as a logistics officer. The field in which I work demands a specific set of skills and knowledge. Having the right qualifications is crucial to meeting the requirements and standards set by my current employer and other professional organizations. Selecting a qualification can also enhance my career progression and earning prospects. However, a course has the potential to broaden my perspectives, enhance my intellectual capacity, and foster the growth of my analytical and interpersonal abilities.
3. What were the challenges of undertaking this particular course – for example, learning online, managing your time, maintaining motivation?
No matter where you stand or your job, it’s important to always look for opportunities to grow and improve your skills. It’s widely acknowledged, but putting it into practice can take a lot of work to break free and actively pursue opportunities for continuous learning.
Amidst the chaos of managing deadlines, meetings, and family obligations, carving out time for a career-enhancing class can be challenging. To remain up-to-date in the ever-evolving job market, allocating some time towards continuing education is essential.
Consistency is crucial. Throughout the course, I allocated some time to my studies. Although it was a small amount each day, maintaining this consistent effort has proven beneficial in the long run.
4. How did you overcome those challenges?
My drive to succeed and accomplish more has always been strong, but my work schedule made it difficult to continue my studies. But whenever I thought about David’s motivational remarks, I had no choice but to continue working toward my goal: finishing this course. Thank you for helping me stay on track to achieve my objective.
The course offered an engaging and thought-provoking experience, enabling me to gain valuable and applicable skills and knowledge. In addition, the course was highly relevant and valuable in relation to my personal and professional goals. It was evident how it would contribute to my desired outcomes. I found the course engaging and enjoyable, and my experience with the instructors and the content was very positive. I always felt a surge of excitement whenever I received positive feedback, appreciation from the instructors, or certification/ Diploma for my efforts and achievements. That encouragement fuelled my determination to keep going until the end.
5. What gives you your greatest feeling of satisfaction in completing this course or these courses?
The course offered an engaging and thought-provoking experience, enabling me to gain valuable and applicable skills and knowledge. In addition, the course was highly relevant and valuable in relation to my personal and professional goals. It was evident how it would contribute to my desired outcomes. I found the course engaging and enjoyable, and my experience with the instructors and the content was very positive. I always felt a surge of excitement whenever I received positive feedback, appreciation from the instructors or certification/ Diploma for my efforts and achievements. It was that encouragement that fuelled my determination to keep going until the end.
6. Have you any advice for those considering taking an online qualification through The Business School?
My advice for students who consider taking an online qualification is to focus on persistence, discipline, and participation. Talking from experience, it seems challenging to combine a professional career or other commitments with education, but there is an advantage to it, which is that their jobs, daily activities, and interactions can allow them to implement skills learned in class to manage actual life situations and solve real-life problems. In addition, Business School UK has wonderful instructors who specialize in delivering knowledge to impact your life. They are willing to answer your questions and support you throughout the learning process.
7. Have you applied what you have learnt within the course into your working environment? If so, what and how?
I had the opportunity to carefully consider what I’d learned and put it into practice in real-life situations at my workplace, which helped solidify my understanding of what I had learned from Business School UK, especially in relation to planning and management.
As a dispatcher for the United Nations Transport Section, I plan convoys and task drivers, provide transportation for staff, and ensure the worthiness of the mission’s vehicles. While planning an effective convoy, the following are to be considered.
As a dispatcher planning a successful convoy, you need to define the purpose, objectives, and scope of the convoy operation. What is the mission of the convoy? What are the expected outcomes and risks? How many vehicles and personnel are involved? What are the rules of engagement and escalation of force?
We liaise with the demining team to conduct a route reconnaissance and analysis. Identify the best route for the convoy based on factors such as distance, terrain, traffic, weather, threat level, and availability of support and recovery assets. Assess the potential hazards and vulnerabilities along the route and plan for contingency actions.
Before deploying the convoy, we develop a convoy movement plan. The convoy movement plan includes details such as the convoy’s formation, speed, interval, communications, navigation, security, and emergency procedures. The convoy brief includes the mission, route, timeline, roles and responsibilities, Mitigation measures, and coordination with the headquarters and team sites.
Before the movement, we ensure that the convoy vehicles and personnel are ready. Ensure that the vehicles are properly inspected, maintained, loaded, and marked. Ensure the personnel are trained, equipped, briefed, and accounted for. Conduct rehearsals and checks to verify the readiness of the convoy.
Execute the convoy operation. Follow the convoy movement plan and maintain situational awareness and communication throughout the convoy. Respond to any changes or incidents according to the established SOPs and report them to the higher headquarters. Complete the mission and return to the base safely.
8. What are your plans now?
As I mentioned before, learning is crucial for one’s career; the world we live in today is evolving every minute and hour, and by learning, we stay updated, functional, and valuable to our community. I am convinced that learning positively impacted my personal life and career, so I plan to pursue my master’s degree.
9. Have you anything else you would like to add?
I want to thank the entire Business School UK team for the support that you provided me during the course. The course has enabled me to perform all logistical and Transport duties efficiently and navigate stressful situations.
I have obtained a Professional and Advanced Diplomas (Levels 5 & 6) in Logistics and Transport, which means a lot to me. I’m sitting here today and reflecting on how this all began and remembering my first submissions and how difficult they were; I almost give up. But I was able to break through thanks to my persistence, encouragement, and guidance. This professional course has given me an in-depth understanding of logistics, Transport, and supply chain, and I would love to seal it with a master’s degree.
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