FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding

Start date: 28 August 2024

Duration: 10 months (concludes with Final Exam on 24th June 2025)

Location: Online through posted training manuals + on-demand webinar access

Certificate: FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding (internationally recognised)

Cost: €1,450 (Unsubsidised Programme fee - €1,950)

Programme overview

This programme has been created by Freight Forwarders for the Freight Forwarding industry and covers the cornerstones of Freight Forwarding through a combination of academic learning and a mixture of practical and theoretical assignments for completion on a monthly basis.

The aim of this programme is to produce knowledgeable and competent Freight Forwarding Operators that can then function across the key departments of Freight Forwarding service provider businesses.

Over a ten month period (September – June each year), Participants are posted 10 training manuals on different areas of Freight Forwarding (Air Freight, Sea Freight, Customs Clearance, Dangerous Goods etc.) and are given between 3 – 4 weeks to study each module. Throughout that month study aids in the form of online videos (available to view on-demand) and assignments are also made available via e-mail and IIFA’s Moodle page. At the end of each month Participants then take an online multiple-choice test. At the end of the 10 modules there will be a break of 3 – 4 weeks before a Final Examination, which will take the form of a 3-hour written test, held in Dublin.

Course material is updated annually and is validated by FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders’ Associations. IIFA’s most recent re-validation with FIATA’s FIATA Logistics Institute (FLI) was November 2021.

A more detailed overview of the modules/ subjects can be found through the boxes below along with further information on the format of web delivery.

This training course is delivered and administered by IIFA Staff who have achieved Distinction level qualifications through a QQI Level 6 Training Delivery and Evaluation course.

Who Is This Course For?

Anyone involved in International Cargo Shipping who wishes to advance their knowledge about the procedures, documentation and regulations which govern and make International Trade happen.

Course Content

There are 10 modules comprising this Diploma:
Freight Forwarding
Sea Freight
Air Freight
Road Transport
Multi-Modal Transport
Customs Clearance
Logistics
Insurance
Dangerous Goods
Information & Communication Technologies

Each module covers an academic overview of the topic, educating students of the rules and regulations governing that topic. Practical elements are also incorporated specific to each module in the form of document completion or similar work to be completed as part of an assignment per month. This includes completion of Bills of Lading for an export LCL shipment under Letter of Credit and Sea Freight calculations for both LCL and FCL shipments during Sea Freight, Classification of Goods and Import Duty & VAT calculations during Customs Clearance and similar for each module.

Learning Outcomes

• A solid foundation in operational requirements for International Cargo transport by Land, Sea and Air
• Knowledge of contractual responsibilities in International Trade including full training on Incoterms 2020
• Knowledge of Customs Clearance process including classification of goods and Duty & VAT Calculations
• Practical experience with key documentation used in Freight Forwarding offices
• An understanding of Insurance requirements and responsibilities for the Shipper and Freight Forwarder
• Awareness of the process and considerations needed for the transport of Dangerous Goods via all Modes of Transport
• Firm knowledge of the end to end process for International Cargo Transport
• Confidence with handling Customer queries and International Shipments
• An understanding of Carriers’ Quotations and ability to accurately quote the Customer for all Modes of Transport.

Course Timetable

Timetable Plan for 2024 – 2025 IIFA FIATA Diploma Course

  • Wednesday 28th August 2024

Registration Evening (IIFA Office in Digital Office Centre Dublin Airport)

Freight Forwarding Notes distributed

 

  • Week commencing 9th September 2024
    Webinars for Freight Forwarding issued

 

  • Tuesday 24th September 2024
    Online Test for Freight Forwarding Module (Sea Freight Notes posted out)

 

  • Week commencing 7th October 2024
    Webinars for Sea Freight issued

 

  • Tuesday 22th October 2024
    Online Test for Sea Freight Module (Air Freight Notes posted out)

 

  • Week commencing 4th November 2024
    Webinars for Air Freight issued

 

  • Tuesday 19th November 2024
    Online test for Air Freight (Road Transport Notes posted out)

 

  • Week commencing 2nd December 2024
    Webinars for Road Transport issued

 

  • Tuesday 17th December 2024
    Online test for Road Transport (Multi-Modal Notes posted out)

 

  • Christmas Break

 

  • Tuesday 14th January 2025
    Online Test for Multi-Modal (Customs Clearance Notes posted out)

 

  • Week commencing 27th January 2025
    Webinars for Customs issued

 

  • Tuesday 11th February 2025
    Online Test for Customs (Logistics Notes posted out)

 

  • Week commencing 24th February 2025
    Webinars for Logistics issued

 

  • Tuesday 11th March 2025
    Online Test for Logistics (Insurance Notes posted out)

 

  • Week commencing 24th March 2025
    Webinars for Insurance issued

 

  • Tuesday 8th April 2025
    Online Test for Insurance (Dangerous Goods Notes posted out)

 

  • Week commencing 21st April 2025
    Webinars for Dangerous Goods issued

 

  • Tuesday 6th May 2025
    Online Test for Dangerous Goods (ICT Notes posted out)

 

  • Week commencing 12th May 2025
    Webinars for ICT issued

 

  • Tuesday 27th May 2025
    Online Test for ICT

 

  • 4 week gap

 

  • Tuesday 24th June 2025
    Final Examination – Afternoon session

Course Evaluation, Assessment & Grading

Participants are continuously assessed online throughout this course with a final written examination taking place in Dublin in June 2024.

 

Each monthly Module will conclude with return of a completed Assignment and completion of an online Multiple-Choice test. There will be 10 such monthly assessments which will account for 40% of the overall grade with the balance of 60% coming from the written Final Exam.

Course Requirements

There are no prerequisite requirements to undertake this course. However, there are set dates for assignments to be returned and online tests to be completed throughout the course. Prospective Participants can view these dates via the above Course Timetable data field.

Participants must also be resident within Republic of Ireland.

A personal computer to operate IIFA’s Moodle area (viewing webinars, completing assignments and doing online multiple-choice tests) will be necessary in order to complete the required course work.

Course Testimonials

“I have been working in the field of logistics for 11 years, 9 of which was in Express Air Logistics, I immigrated to Ireland in Aug 2020 and wanted to apply my skills in the industry I knew best, I decided on warehousing instead and I soon realized that I needed to upskill and broaden my knowledge across all modes of transport. After doing some research I decided to apply and enrol with IIFA to gain valuable knowledge to further my career. Grainne and Seamus are true experts in their fields and found them most helpful and professional during the course.”

 

“I would highly recommend the IIFA FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding due to the structured way it is presented and the flexibility it offers to be able to work & study. Every module was presented in a professional manner, and I cannot single out a single one, each module was also accompanied with numerous Webinars to help guide you through your studies which I found particularly helpful during final exam prep. I’ve learnt so much over the past 10-months and with the knowledge gained also came newfound confidence in my abilities.”

Durk Jaarsma, Transkon Logistics Ltd, 2021 – 2022 course

 

“I was looking for a change in my life and enrolling on the Freight Forwarding course was one of the best decisions I have made in my career path. The course exceeded my expectations in many regards, is well structured and high-quality materials were provided. It was a challenge for me to study and work fulltime, however our coordinators Grainne and Seamus were always there to help. The support from tutors was first rate, while the course was well paced, and pitched at a level which allowed me to organise my study time. The feedback was excellent, straight forward with clear explanations and where we should focus more. I have learned a lot from the course and applying the knowledge day by day in my current job as a Logistics Coordinator. I am highly recommending this course for anyone who wants to develop and grow in this industry”

Ana Lozovanu Expeditors Ireland Ltd, 2021 – 2022 course

 

“I have just completed the IIFA FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding and I have to say I found it to be one of the most fulfilling and less stressful ones I have ever completed. This to me was mainly down to the professional way the IIFA (Grainne and Seamus) delivered the complete course and their engagement throughout. The timing and preparation for each Module’s and its layout was exceptional and made it a lot more manageable especially when one in full time employment where time can be the biggest challenge.

 

For one primarily involved in Road-freight it has broadened my own knowledge in all aspects of the freight industry from Airfreight Security, ADR Cargo, Insurance, Customs Duty, Calculation of rates and much, much more. The great thing about this course is that there are interesting video links within the modules e.g. “Life at Sea on container ship through the Suez Canal.” This gives you a real insight into this particular journey.

 

I cannot recommend this Diploma highly enough and would go as far as to say it’s a must for anyone within the industry or to anyone contemplating it as a career.”

Kenneth McEneaney, Cardinal Logistics Ltd, 2020 – 2021 course

 

“FIATA/IIFA Freight Forwarding course was the most positive education experience of my life: very well organised, with fantastic support from tutors throughout the course and all study materials were delivered in time.  Excellent course content (covers all modes of transport: air, sea, road, dangerous goods, insurance, customs) it gave me a great understanding of the logistics market both in Ireland and globally.

 

The diploma is well recognized by employers.  There is a visible preference for candidates with this diploma.  It has had a positive impact on my own career.  Fully equipped with the knowledge I gained from the course; I got a job with a global logistics provider.  I firmly see my future development in this dynamic and rewarding industry.”

Oxana Korkunova, A.P Moller – Maersk, 2020 – 2021 course

Certification

Those who successfully complete the monthly tests and Final Examination will be awarded an Internationally recognised FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding from FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Terms & Conditions

Feel free to read our Terms & Conditions here.

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