WHY FIATA DIPLOMA

The Freight Forwarder – Architect of Transport

Freight forwarding is all about the smooth flow of international trade.

The freight forwarder is the party who ensures that internationally traded goods move from point of origin to point of destination to arrive:

  • At the right place,
  • At the right time,
  • At the most economic cost.

To accomplish this, expertise is required in a number of different areas:

  • Air and Ocean Freight
  • Logistics
  • Statutory Compliance (particularly Customs)
  • Risk Management
  • Finance and Payment

Globalization and the growth of world trade have seen an increasing number of companies entering the international trade arena and this in turn has led to an exponential growth in the freight forwarding industry over the last few years.

There is little doubt that freight forwarding will continue to occupy a key place in the international supply chain for many years to come: this makes freight forwarding a worthwhile career to consider.

How does this impact on the Freight Forwarder?

International trading companies are calling for freight forwarders to transform from their traditional roles as agents into global logistics partners. Whilst forwarders will still have freight forwarding as their core activity they will offer value added services in order to grow their enterprises.

It is becoming a reality that “You cannot have the one (freight forwarding) without providing the other (integrated logistics)”.

Traditional forwarding companies have recognized the need to become facilitators of supply chain solutions for customers and to be more proactive. Thus forwarding agents have to develop the appropriate intellectual capital required in order to provide the necessary supply chain integration capabilities being demanded by customers.

This provides opportunities for individuals who have acquired academic qualifications in logistics and related disciplines to use their strategic capabilities to operate at managerial level in freight forwarding organizations and to participate in the transformation of traditional freight forwarders into international supply chain integrators.

To be able to do this effectively the graduate needs to acquire a comprehensive oversight of the workings of the freight forwarding company as well as practical skills in a number of operational areas.

What will the programme achieve for me?

The purpose of this programme is to provide a structure for graduates to acquire the necessary practical competencies to operate in a freight forwarding environment. By combining the strategic abilities acquired in their academic studies with the practical forwarding competencies acquired through this programme, such individuals will be able to manage a wide range of freight forwarding functions. They will also be able to add value to the strategic planning required to build on the freight forwarders core functions in creating structures which will provide customers with the integrated management of international supply chains they need.

In addition, those completing this programme will qualify for the Diploma in Freight Forwarding which is awarded by the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA).

Easy to work transition

The success of EFFSAA’s training is mirrored in the success of our trainees. We want to help you achieve your personal and professional goals through our comprehensive training programs, which will assist you from the first day of enrollment to your entrance into the workforce.

As a trainee of EFFSAA, you will learn from industry-experienced instructors in a manner that will allow for personalized learning and experience sharing. This means you get the individual attention you need, when you need it, and in an intimate classroom community.

Once you’ve trained, you will have the opportunity to apply your skills during a practicum placement in a real workplace. This will be invaluable during your job search. You will also learn the essential skills to search for and obtain employment to help you transition smoothly from trainee to worker.

Great opportunities for graduates

Recent developments in this industry have created opportunities for graduates in logistics and related fields to build on their academic achievements through a structured program designed to give them the practical abilities required to launch a career in this growing industry.

All businesses today must face the prospect that each product or service that they provide, no matter how sophisticated, will sooner or later become commoditized. Products or services will be bought as generic items by customers who are interested in little beyond price and quantity. Customers will also be largely indifferent about who actually supplies the product or service unless it is delivered with additional value.

What do I need to qualify for the programme?

Minimum Requirement

  • A/B.Sc. from a recognized higher institution
  • 10+3 and CoC with two years’ experience in the industry

What does the FIATA Diploma mean to me?

In acquiring the FIATA Diploma you achieve the following objectives:

  • You gain an international qualification which is recognized as THE professional standard throughout the world of freight forwarding
  • You gain the practical ability to operate competently in a wide variety of operational areas within the freight forwarding industry. These are in themselves very marketable skills
  • You place yourself in a good position for rapid promotion provided you have shown the right leadership qualities and fit in to the culture of your employer organization
  • You can combine these practical skills with your academic knowledge in adding value to strategic decision making processes aimed at providing integrated logistics and supply chain management solutions to customers

What is covered in the FIATA Diploma?

The FIATA Diploma is broken down into two courses i.e. Freight Forwarding Practice (FFP) and Customs Legislation and Procedures (CLP).

First Round (FFP)

  • An Introduction to Freight Forwarding (32hrs.)
  • Maritime Transport (32hrs.)
  • Multimodal Transport (24 hrs.)
  • Air Transport (52 hrs.)
  • Road Transport (52 hrs.)
  • Rail Transport (20 hrs.)

Second Round (CLP)

  • Inland Waterway (16 hrs.)
  • Logistics (32 hrs.)
  • Insurance (12 hrs.)
  • Dangerous Goods (40 hrs.)
  • Information & Communications (Technologies in Forwarding) (12 hrs.)
  • Customs (40 hrs.)
  • Safety & Security’s (12 hrs.)

How long is this programme?

Although the rate at which you undergo your assessments is up to you, we expect that you will complete the programme within 14 months of commencement.

FIATA Diploma Class Sessions

The class programmes that we provide for you includes

  • Morning Class

Monday – Friday (8:30 AM – 12:30 AM)

  • Afternoon Class

Monday – Friday (1:30 PM – 5:30 PM)

  • Evening Class

Monday – Friday (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

  • Weekend Class

Saturday (1:30 PM – 5:30 PM) & Sunday (8:30 Am – 12:30 PM)

How is the FIATA Diploma awarded?

Every national freight forwarding association which is a member of FIATA is invited to present to the ABVT the freight forwarding training programmes which are offered in their country. Provided that the content of the courses corresponds with the minimum criteria, and provided FIATA is satisfied with the overall management of the training in that country, then the national association of that country will be able to recommend the award of the FIATA Diploma to each learner completing that particular course of study.

Finalization of the FIATA Diploma: The Dissertation/ Case study

Having been declared competent against all the unit standards in each of the two qualifications you will be required to obtain the subject of the dissertation/ case study from the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) against payment of the evaluation and FIATA certification fee.