Get the Training You Need to Become a Freight Broker Or Agent
Getting started as a freight broker or agent is a great way to make some extra money and gain more skills that will help your career. However, many brokers fail within their first one or two years because they aren’t well prepared when entering the industry. The right training can give you the support, guidance and industry expertise to thrive as a freight broker or agent.
The best way to get a solid education in freight brokering is through an accredited course provided by a professional freight brokering school. This can be in-person or online. A good training program will teach you the basics of freight brokering, industry trends, technology tools and how to operate a brokerage business in the real world.
It is also important to find a freight broker training school that offers coaching after your course is completed. Many people are not successful because they do not have the support and guidance needed to succeed. The right coach will help you learn how to source freight, build relationships, and strengthen your customer base. In addition, he or she will provide you with personalized coaching that is focused on your unique goals and challenges.
In addition to offering online freight broker training, a top freight brokering school will offer a comprehensive program that can include classroom instruction and an FMCSA approved proctored exam. This is required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to obtain a broker license and work as an agent. This training is available nationwide and can be taken at a variety of locations.
Freight brokerage is a rapidly growing, service-based industry. It connects shippers and manufacturers with transportation companies to manage their shipments. Entrepreneur magazine has rated freight brokerage as one of the best home-based businesses, and the Wall Street Journal recently reported that it’s the fastest-growing sector of the transportation industry. As an agent or broker, you will connect shippers with carriers and manage shipments for them. You’ll be responsible for transporting cargo, negotiating deals, and managing a client relationship.
Depending on the state you live in, you may be required to complete a specific number of hours of education before becoming licensed as a freight broker or agent. For example, New York requires 75 hours of training before you can take the broker licensing exam. The New York State Department of Transportation has licensed schools that can provide you with the educational requirements to become a freight broker or agent in the state. These schools can teach you everything from transportation law and terminology to valuable tools and software. They can also prepare you to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and obtain a surety bond as part of your freight brokering or agency license. These courses can be taken at a number of locations throughout the country and are offered in multiple languages. They will also provide you with additional resources such as freight broker forms, cold call scripts and more.