Advisory Body on Vocational Training

To keep up with the rapidly evolving economic environment and the introduction of advanced technical procedures such as e-commerce, e-freight and e-logistics, it is essential that the freight industry can rely on a skilled and appropriately trained talent pool. Lifelong learning, which has been defined as “the systematic maintenance and improvement of knowledge, skills and competence throughout a professional’s working life”, is a prerequisite for the industry’s success.

The Advisory Body on Vocational Training (ABVT) was the knowledge centre of professional education within FIATA since 1996. ABVT worked to build up a solid reputation as a major contributor to the development of training in the freight forwarding industry. It operated as a knowledge champion in the international freight forwarding and supply chain management fields. ABVT developed significant tools to maintain and elevate the standards of the industry, such as:

• The minimum standards to obtain the FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding, FIATA Higher Diploma in Supply Chain Management, and Train-the-Trainer /Andragogy Fundamentals used to benchmark the training programmes validated by ABVT.

• The validation guideline to ensure the efficacy and efficiency of the process through which associations apply for validation of the training programmes. A successful validation entitles the association to deliver vocational training courses leading to the FIATA Diplomas by Vocational Training and Examination.

• Initial and recurrent courses offered through a network of accredited ICAO/FIATA Training Centres. Successful completion is recognized by the issuance of a universally accepted ICAO/FIATA Certificate, utilizing ICAO's vast technical knowledge and regulatory experience in conjunction with FIATA's global reach in vocational training. 

• ABVT was also involved in the 'Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award' enabling young professionals to benchmark their knowledge worldwide in writing a paper on a specific topic of the freight and logistics industry. The competition was launched in 1999 and is sponsored by TT Club and FIATA.