IAG Cargo trains 18 on GDP cool-chain practices

The latest batch of trainees from the GDP Training Academy, sponsored by IAG Cargo and Exelsius, have emerged following a two-day International Training Course held earlier this month in London. The program was the fifth training session held so far, involving students from Singapore, India and the U.K.

Those attending the intensive session included representatives from forwarders, airlines and ground handling companies, seeking to improve industry compliance to GDP standards for temperature-sensitive healthcare and life science products. The course offered a combination of interactive classroom sessions and hands-on instruction during an airside visit to the IAG Cargo Constant Climate Centre.

The 18 people who successfully completed the training this month were awarded a Certificate of Achievement following a comprehensive written examination. The certification will be valid for two years. Some of the students who are forwarders and ground handlers who are also in the process of obtaining local GDP certification or applying for a WDA approval from the U.K.’s Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency.

James Wells, an international freight manager for Aramex UK Ltd, who completed the GDP Academy course, called it a “thoroughly enjoyable course that I would recommend to anyone involved in the transportation of time and temperature sensitive life science products.”

Tony Wright, CEO of Exelsius, said the program is designed to provide students with thorough GDP knowledge “from a truly end –to-end perspective and uses a number of interactive teaching methods.”

IAG Cargo and Exelsius are planning at least dates three more GDP Academy training courses this year in Dublin, Atlanta and a location to be named later in the Asia-Pacific Region.