Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Designation of occupation

Freight forwarding and logistics services clerk (m/f)
Recognised by ordinance of 26 July 2004 (BGBl. I p. 1902)

Duration of traineeship

3 years.
The venues for training are company and part-time vocational school (Berufsschule).

Field of activity

Freight forwarding and logistics services clerks are active in national and international freight transportation. They work in companies which plan, organise, control, monitor and administer the transport of goods and other logistics services. The work of freight forwarding and logistics services clerks usually focuses on provision of services, order processing and sales. They act independently in accordance with company directives and the relevant legal requirements, and conclude agreements with business partners.

Occupational skills

Freight forwarding and logistics services clerks

• plan and organise the dispatch, shipment and storage of goods, together with other logistics services, taking into account the relevant legal requirements and environmental concerns,
• control and monitor the cooperation of the persons and institutions involved in the logistics chain,
• make use of opportunities to consolidate consignments into larger load units,
• procure insurance cover,
• take into account customs legislation and regulation governing cross-border trade,
• make use of information and communication technologies,
• gather information and make it available to others,
• correspond and communicate with foreign business partners and customers in English, and process English language documents,
• identify customer requirements, and provide advice and support to customers,
• identify and evaluate service offers on the transport and logistics market,
• calculate prices,
• draw up offers and prepare contracts,
• process customer complaints and notices of claims and arrange settlements of claims,
• carry out payment and dunning procedures,
• are involved in calculating costs and returns and in commercial control procedures,
• monitor the market and play an active role in enhancing the range of services offered by their company,
• assist in creating networks to consolidate, dispatch and deliver loads,
• assist in developing logistics concepts.

Last modified on: December 12, 2006