Choosing the Right Freight Broker Training Program
The freight brokering industry offers an excellent income opportunity in a growing and recession resistant field. However, the business is highly competitive, and training is essential to becoming successful in this career. There are a number of different options for broker training, including online courses and virtual classes, instructor-led classroom courses, and on the job training as an entry level employee at a freight brokerage. Each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the right one for your specific needs.
The Most Popular Broker Training Available
If you are looking for a home-based business or the flexibility of working from anywhere, freight brokering might be the perfect career choice for you. Freight brokers are responsible for matching shippers with carriers that can transport their loads from point A to point B. Brokers are also responsible for processing carrier invoices and payments, as well as shipper billing and collections. Many new brokers begin their careers as agents or as employees of an established freight brokerage firm before establishing their own freight brokering companies. In addition to broker training, you’ll need to obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (FMCSA) number, purchase a broker surety bond and meet other industry requirements before you can start your own brokerage.
Choosing the right freight broker training program is an important step to launching your career as a successful broker. There are a number of factors to consider, including the type of training you prefer and how much money you want to invest in your career. Online freight brokering training is typically more affordable than in-person or offline classroom training, but each option has its own benefits and drawbacks.
You should also evaluate the experience and reputation of the instructors who will teach your freight brokering class. Look for reviews and recommendations from past students and from peers in the industry. Ideally, you should also find out whether the instructor has actually started and grown a freight brokerage business.
Online broker training options are typically self-paced and flexible, so you can study at your own pace and around your schedule. You can also often download and print a variety of resources, such as broker forms, a freight agent contract sample, cold call scripts, and checklists. These downloadable resources can be especially helpful for studying when you’re away from your computer or laptop.
On the other hand, classroom, instructor-led freight brokering training is typically held offline in a physical location and can take several weeks or even months to complete. You’ll need to factor in the cost of travel, lodging and time away from work when evaluating this type of training. However, most people who choose this type of training find that it is more effective than learning on their own or through an online course.