By Eamonn Ryan
Part three explores the Cold Chain Institute and its contribution to workforce development and industry capacity in Latin America.
Training and education featured prominently in the GCCF webinar, with particular emphasis on the Cold Chain Institute and its long-standing role in professionalising the temperature-controlled logistics sector. The Institute was introduced as a three-year certificate programme developed by the private sector to address the industry’s need for skilled, knowledgeable professionals.
The Cold Chain Institute was launched in Latin America in 2014, initially based in Panama before relocating to Mexico in 2017. Over more than a decade, it has expanded in both participation and geographic reach. According to figures shared during the webinar, the programme has trained 477 students from 11 countries, with eight graduating classes and 71 graduates completing the full certification.
A defining feature of the Institute is its delivery model. Courses are taught primarily by industry practitioners, with additional contributions from GCCF’s Council of Scientific Advisors. This structure ensures that training remains closely aligned with operational realities, allowing participants to learn from peers who face similar technical, regulatory and commercial challenges.
Speakers explained that the Institute’s success in Latin America did not happen in isolation. Earlier development projects played a critical role in testing short courses and building foundational knowledge among prospective participants. These project-funded activities helped gauge demand and prepare the ground for a transition to a fully industry-supported programme.
The practical impact of the Institute was illustrated through participant feedback. One attendee reported that the programme inspired him to retrofit an existing dry storage facility into cold storage, highlighting how education can directly influence investment decisions and operational strategy.
Beyond technical knowledge, the Institute was also presented as a networking platform. Participants benefit from peer-to-peer learning and the opportunity to build professional relationships across borders and companies. This aspect was described as being as valuable as the formal curriculum, particularly in regions where the cold chain industry is still consolidating.
The Latin American experience demonstrates how structured, industry-led training can support cold chain development over the long term in Africa too. By embedding education within the professional fabric of the sector, the Cold Chain Institute has contributed to raising standards and strengthening operational capability across the region.
Next in part four: A closer look at cold chain growth and technology trends shaping Latin America’s temperature-controlled logistics sector.