Choosing the Right Freight Broker Training
In the freight brokerage business, brokers connect shipping companies with ground transportation – trucking and other carriers – that will move goods to their destination. In exchange for their services, they receive a commission from the carrier. Brokers are responsible for many logistical aspects of transporting cargo including scheduling pick-up times and delivery dates, addressing any problems with the shipment, paying the trucking companies and agents, invoicing shippers, filing assistance claims and extending credit. They must also be knowledgeable about transportation laws, types of freight, and record-keeping.
Freight broker training teaches aspiring brokers how to find loads, identify prospects, and get started in the freight broker business. The course also covers how to set up and manage an office, whether it is a home-based operation or an established freight agency. The class will also teach the basics of sales and marketing, and how to communicate with customers by phone or email.
The specialized training provides valuable networking opportunities, and often leads to job offers for aspiring freight brokers. In addition, brokers who are experienced in the industry will be able to mentor new freight brokers, and provide them with valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of a successful freight brokerage.
Choosing the Right Broker Training
Regardless of the type of freight broker training you choose, it is important to evaluate your educational goals and needs before choosing a program. Some schools may offer onsite courses in your local area, while others have online offerings that allow you to learn from a distance. Some schools may also offer a combination of these options to accommodate different learning styles and schedules.
In addition to evaluating the type of broker training you need, it is also important to consider the type of job you want to pursue as a freight broker. Some brokers will work as independent freight brokers, while others will work for larger freight broker agencies. If you would like to be employed in a particular freight brokerage, you will need to find out about any specific hiring requirements and expectations.
Freight broker training is not required to become a freight broker, but it is highly recommended. In fact, many successful freight brokers began their careers working for other freight brokerages, and learned the ropes on the job before starting their own businesses. In addition, some freight brokerages will provide on the job training for qualified candidates. In these cases, the aspiring freight broker will usually be given an entry-level position in a brokerage or a trucking or agent office to gain hands-on experience and make connections with potential employers. Then, once they have the necessary skills and connections, they can start their own freight brokerage business. In other cases, a licensed Real Estate Broker will work as an employee or manager of a Real Estate agency and then take the required Real Estate Broker licensing classes to become their own Broker. They will then be able to sell and rent commercial, residential and industrial property to their own clients.