This course introduces you to the fundamentals of IT and how to use the most common MS Office programs, and provides detailed knowledge of the freight forwarding industry. You’ll be guided through the basics of goods and freight transport and the various modes of transportation, covering topics ranging from transportation law and specialized freight forwarding accounting to foreign trade and customs procedures. You’ll also gain a thorough understanding of all key topics in warehouse logistics. You’ll learn about the standards for logistics services, procurement and warehouse logistics, as well as distribution and waste disposal.
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Certificates: Microsoft Office driver's license" certificate
Certificate "Forwarding and warehouse logistics specialist" -
Additional Certificates: Certificate "Forwarding"
Logistics Management" certificate
Certificate "Foreign trade and customs clearance" -
Examination: Praxisbezogene Projektarbeiten mit Abschlusspräsentationen
Modulprüfungen Microsoft Office Führerschein -
Teaching Times: Full-timeMonday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:35 p.m. (in weeks with public holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.)
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Language of Instruction: German
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Duration: 20 Weeks
Computer basics
Computer basics (full-time 5 days/part-time 10 days)
The computer and its components
First steps in the browser (profiles, synchronization, privacy options)
Operating systems and software
Getting started with Windows 11 (clipboard history, virtual desktop)
Using Windows 11 apps
Working with desktop apps and windows
Getting to know File Explorer, file storage
Finding and managing files and folders
Cloud storage
Making system settings
Useful apps
Printing with Windows 11
Important key combinations
Networks (WLAN, hotspot)
Access to public networks (VPN basics)
Password protection and data security management
Protection against viruses and malware
Ergonomic and environmental protection aspects
Comparison of classic search vs. AI response
Word processing with Microsoft Word
Word processing with Word (full-time 5 days/part-time 10 days)
Basics of text input and processing
Character, paragraph, page and document formatting
Numbering and structuring
Using format templates
Using tables, graphics and shapes
Saving, printing and protecting documents
Creating texts, letters and serial letters
Editing and correction functions
Designing page layouts and multi-page documents
Checking accessibility (ALT texts, check tool)
AI as a writing coach (shortening/rewording with clear style guidelines)
Spreadsheet calculation with Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet calculation with Excel (full-time 10 days/part-time 20 days)
Basics of table editing
Working with formulas and functions
Formatting cells, editing and printing tables
Filling, moving and copying (auto-fill, flash preview)
Sorting and filtering data
Calculating with date and time
Creating and editing charts
Chart templates and chart layouts
Manage workbooks (sheet protection, workbook protection)
Use individual print settings
Using Excel templates
Formula help and troubleshooting with AI
Microsoft Outlook and Web Browsers
Microsoft Outlook and Internet Browsers (Full-time: 5 days / Part-time: 10 days)
Internet, Web, and Email
Introduction to the Internet
Working Safely Online (Incognito Mode, Tracking Protection, Cookies)
Data Protection and Copyright
Online Shopping and Banking
Online Communities and Social Networks
Getting to Know Outlook
Creating and Sending Emails
Receiving and Managing Emails
Staying Organized with Emails (Search, Folders/Categories)
Working with Contacts and the Address Book
Creating Appointments and Meetings
Creating and managing tasks
Phishing analysis using AI based on anonymized sample emails
Presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentations with PowerPoint (full-time 5 days/part-time 10 days)
Get to know the user interface
Basics of working with presentations
Editing placeholders with text content
Copying and moving elements
Views and view areas
Working with different slide elements
Screen presentations
Text design (text fields, text markers, character formatting)
Using animations (transitions, music/sounds, video sequences, external links)
Working with your own templates (slide masters, design variants)
Printing and managing presentations
Creating and designing drawing objects
Using graphics and media clips
Placing and aligning objects
Organizational charts and other SmartArt graphics
Creating and designing diagrams
Accessibility (reading order, contrast, ALT texts)
Storyline design with AI
IT security
IT security (full-time 5 days/part-time 10 days)
Basic knowledge of cybercrime
Dealing with data and security
Network structures
Security in networks
Software updates
Encryption and password protection (two-factor authentication, passkeys)
Common malware
Targeted protection against viruses and malware
Use antivirus software and firewall
Data protection and backups
Phishing emails and social engineering
Secure communication on the Internet
Security on the internet and when using online services and social media
Incident management and responding to security incidents
Social engineering simulator: Analyze AI-generated phishing emails with triggers
Databases with Microsoft Access
Databases with Access (full-time 5 days/part-time 10 days)
What is Access?
Working with databases
Creating and managing databases
Creating and editing tables
Entering and editing data in tables
Relationships between tables
Field properties (data types, validation rules)
Searching, replacing and sorting data
Working with filters
Entering and editing data in forms
Creating forms (manually)
Working with queries
Creating queries
Editing database objects
Creating reports and labels
Working with reports
Defining indices
Printing data
AI as query coach: planning and formulating queries
Forwarding
Freight Forwarding (approx. 3 days)
Freight Forwarders and Warehouse Logistics Specialists in the Freight Transportation Industry
Performance Characteristics of Modes of Transport
Selection Criteria for Modes of Transport (AI-Supported)
The capacity of individual modes of transport
Areas of Responsibility and Legal Status
Rights and obligations as a freight forwarder under the German Commercial Code (HGB)
Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG)
Freight Forwarding, Freight, and Warehousing Contracts
Opportunities and Limitations of AI in Day-to-Day Freight Forwarding Operations
Domestic and international truck freight transport (approx. 2 days)
Freight orders in domestic road freight transport
National license for commercial road freight transport
Vehicle Types—Dimensions and Vehicle Weights
Freight orders in international road freight transport
CMR Law, CMR Waybill
Accompanying documents in international freight transport
AI-powered route planning and document generation
Profitability Analyses (approx. 1 day)
Calculation of transportation costs in road freight transport
Distinction between fixed and variable costs
Make-or-buy decision for in-house or outsourced transportation
AI-supported cost calculation
Transportation of dangerous goods (approx. 1 day)
Transportation of dangerous goods by road
Legal basis according to GGVSEB
Dangerous goods classes and packaging groups
Rail freight transport (approx. 1 day)
Legal bases and freight contract
Types of freight wagons
Combined transport (approx. 1 day)
Types of combined transport
National and international transport network
Liability and Insurance (approx. 2 days)
General German Freight Forwarder Terms and Conditions
Legal Nature of the ADSp
Liability as a Freight Forwarder and Carrier
Handling Claims
AI Support for Identifying and Handling the Causes of Claims
Insuring Goods
Premium Calculation and Liability Limits
Transportation types and cost calculations (approx. 1 day)
Groupage and system transport
Transportation cost calculation
CEP services
Sea freight and inland waterway transport (approx. 3 days)
Legal bases and contract of carriage
Ship types
Transport price calculation in sea freight traffic
Dimension and weight rates
Surcharges and discounts of shipping companies
Inland waterway transport
Federal waterway network
Air freight transport (approx. 2 days)
Legal bases in air freight transport
Freight contract and air waybill
Calculation of air freight costs
The TACT tariff
Groupage cargo in air freight traffic
Project work (approx. 3 days)
To consolidate the content learned
Presentation of the project results
Logistics management
Logistics Services (approx. 4 days)
Providing logistics services
Interrelationships within the “magic square” of logistics
Logistics Systems
Hub-and-spoke, gateway, and cross-docking networks
Individual Logistics Services/Value-Added Services
Legal Provisions and Contractual Foundations of Logistics
Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG)
Standards in Logistics
Digitalization and Logistics 4.0
AI-Supported Planning and Control in Logistics
Quality Management in Logistics Companies
Key Performance Indicators for Logistics Controlling
Efficient Consumer Response
Contract logistics (approx. 1 day)
Green Logistics
Portfolio of logistics services
Procurement Logistics (approx. 2 days)
Push and Pull Principles
Sourcing Concepts
ABC and XYZ Analysis
Demand Forecasting
Optimal Order Quantity
AI-powered demand forecasting and order optimization
Warehouse Logistics (approx. 2 days)
Warehouse Technology
Legal Framework for Warehouse Services
Warehouse Cost Calculation
AI-Supported Warehouse Organization and Layout
Costing Methods
Cost Calculation Principles
Intralogistics (approx. 1 day)
The organization of internal transports
IT-supported accompanying information
Distribution logistics (approx. 1 day)
Direct and indirect distribution
Own and third-party transportation
Disposal logistics (approx. 1 day)
Legal framework conditions
Recycling tasks
Marketing in logistics (approx. 1 day)
Marketing concepts
marketing instruments
Accounting (approx. 2 days)
Accounting basics
Inventory, stocktaking and balance sheet
Chart of accounts and chart of accounts
Turnover tax
Forwarding expenses and forwarding income
Dealing with hazards (approx. 1 day)
Tasks of the employers' liability insurance associations
Accident prevention regulations
Storage of hazardous goods
Information and Communication Technology (approx. 1 day)
IT Systems in Logistics
AI-Powered Management Information Systems in Logistics
Document Management
Project work (approx. 3 days)
To consolidate the content learned
Presentation of the project results
Foreign trade and customs clearance
Foreign trade (approx. 1 day)
Trade in Europe and world trade
Maritime, Air, and Multimodal Freight Transport (approx. 2 days)
Significance, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Various Modes of Transport
Types of ships, freight routes, and container transport
Air freight, consolidated shipments, and secure supply chains
Known Shipper and Regulated Agent
Selecting suitable transportation routes based on cost, time, and risk
AI-powered analysis of multimodal transport modes
Incoterms® 2020 (approx. 1 day)
Structure and System of Incoterms® 2020
Transfer of Costs, Risks, and Obligations
Selection and contractual agreement of appropriate clauses
Risk Hedging (approx. 1 day)
Payment and Delivery Risks in International Trade
Documentary Collection
Documentary Letter of Credit
Customs clearance (approx. 5 days)
Import procedures
Customs clearance and release
Import duties
Customs duties and customs value
Electronic Customs Tariff (EZT)
Export Procedures
The Automated Tariff and Local Customs Clearance System (ATLAS)
Export Licenses
EU Customs Law
The Union Customs Code
Preferential Treatment and Certificates of Origin
Security Regulations for International Trade
EU Customs Security Initiative
Bonded Warehouses
AI as a Research Tool for Tariff Classification, Customs Value, and Origin
Processing ATLAS customs procedures using Dakosy ZODIAK GE (approx. 5 days)
Create and edit customer data
Create and edit product data
Create an import customs declaration
Processing input prompts and error messages
Create an export declaration
Create transit procedures in the NCTS system
Creating an Import and Export Customs Declaration
Create a transit declaration
Possible prompts and errors
International Trade (approx. 1 day)
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
EU Legal Framework
Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG)
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
Freight Forwarder Documents for Foreign Trade (approx. 1 day)
FIATA-FCR and FIATA-FCT
FIATA Multimodal Transport
Bill of Lading
Project work (approx. 3 days)
To consolidate the content learned
Presentation of the project results
Changes are possible, the course content is updated regularly.
Upon completion of the course, you will have a basic understanding of key components of information and communication technology, as well as fundamental skills in word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, the Internet and communication, IT security, and databases. In addition, you’ll learn how to use browser-based AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) thoughtfully and confidently.
You will also be able to handle work processes for national and international shipping with legal certainty and acquire the specialist knowledge to be able to work in related specialist areas.
Specialists in the field of freight forwarding and logistics are in demand at companies of all sizes in the areas of goods and freight transport, maritime, air, and land trade, import and export, as well as in customs clearance and warehousing. According to estimates by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, increasing foreign trade linkages will lead to a long-term rise in both freight volume and freight transport performance by 2050. The relevant knowledge will therefore open up career opportunities for you in a wide range of fields.
Basic IT skills and knowledge of how to use various MS Office programs are a prerequisite for successful and efficient work in professional life.
Your meaningful certificate provides a detailed insight into the qualifications you have acquired and improves your career prospects.
Didactic concept
Your lecturers are highly qualified both professionally and didactically and will teach you from the first to the last day (no self-study system).
You will learn in effective small groups. The courses usually consist of 6 to 25 participants. The general lessons are supplemented by numerous practical exercises in all course modules. The practice phase is an important part of the course, as it is during this time that you process what you have just learned and gain confidence and routine in its application. The final section of the course involves a project, a case study or a final exam.
Virtual classroom alfaview®
Lessons take place using modern alfaview® video technology - either from the comfort of your own home or at our premises at Bildungszentrum. The entire course can see each other face-to-face via alfaview®, communicate with each other in lip-sync voice quality and work on joint projects. Of course, you can also see and talk to your connected trainers live at any time and you will be taught by your lecturers in real time for the entire duration of the course. The lessons are not e-learning, but real live face-to-face lessons via video technology.
The courses at alfatraining are funded by Agentur für Arbeit and are certified in accordance with the AZAV approval regulation. When submitting a Bildungsgutscheinor Aktivierungs- und Vermittlungsgutschein, the entire course costs are usually covered by your funding body.
Funding is also possible via Europäischen Sozialfonds (ESF), Deutsche Rentenversicherung (DRV) or regional funding programs. As a regular soldier, you have the option of attending further training courses via Berufsförderungsdienst (BFD). Companies can also have their employees qualified via funding from Agentur für Arbeit (Qualifizierungschancengesetz).