The Future of Freight Forwarding: Training, Apprenticeships and Industry Challenges with BIFA

The freight forwarding and logistics industry plays a vital role in keeping goods moving around the world. From navigating international customs requirements to responding to global disruptions, freight forwarders work behind the scenes to ensure businesses and consumers receive the products they depend on.

But with changing regulations, emerging technologies, an ageing workforce and growing pressure on international supply chains, what does the future of freight forwarding look like?

In this episode of The Cargo Couch, Logicom Hub’s Sam Stretton welcomes two guests from the British International Freight Association (BIFA):

• Steve Parker, Director General of BIFA
• Carl Hobbis, BIFA Director responsible for Training

Together, they discuss the challenges facing the freight forwarding industry, the importance of industry representation, the role of apprenticeships and training, and how businesses can prepare for the future.

Why BIFA Matters to the Freight Forwarding Industry

Freight forwarders are essential to international trade, but individual businesses do not always have the resources or influence to raise industry-wide concerns directly with government. This is where organisations such as BIFA play an important role. During the podcast, Steve Parker explains that BIFA represents approximately 1,700 member companies, gathering their views through regional meetings and specialist policy groups. These groups cover important areas of freight forwarding, including customs, air freight, road and sea transport, and sustainable logistics. By collecting feedback from businesses across the country, BIFA can identify common challenges and communicate industry concerns to government departments and other relevant organisations.

Steve also discusses BIFA’s involvement in the Alliance of Logistics Trade Associations, which brings together representatives from different areas of the logistics sector. The objective is to strengthen the industry’s collective voice and encourage policies that support the movement of goods across the UK and internationally. For freight forwarding businesses, particularly smaller organisations, this representation provides an important opportunity to contribute to discussions that could affect their operations.

Global Disruptions: Why Freight Forwarders Must Remain Adaptable

One of the biggest challenges facing international freight forwarding is the unpredictable nature of global supply chains. Geopolitical tensions, changing trade routes and disruption to shipping services can create significant operational and financial difficulties. During the conversation, Steve highlights how events in the Middle East have affected ocean freight movements, with containers sometimes being diverted to destinations far from their intended ports. These disruptions can result in additional storage costs, delays and complicated conversations between freight forwarders, shipping lines and customers.

Steve shares an observation from a BIFA member that captures the uncertainty of international shipping:

When you book an ocean freight container now, it doesn’t go on a journey, it goes on an adventure. Although humorous, the comment reflects a serious issue. When containers are delayed or diverted, businesses must understand their contractual responsibilities, potential liabilities and the additional costs involved. BIFA supports its members by providing guidance and helping them understand how trading conditions apply when unexpected disruptions occur.

The discussion also touches on BIFA’s engagement with Ukrainian freight forwarders and the importance of maintaining industry skills and operational capabilities during periods of conflict. The wider message is clear: adaptability, communication and regulatory knowledge are becoming increasingly important skills for freight forwarding professionals.

Training and Professional Development: Building a More Skilled Industry

As freight forwarding becomes more complex, businesses need employees who understand not only how to complete individual tasks but also how the wider supply chain operates. Carl Hobbis explains that BIFA’s training offering includes short courses, formal qualifications, instructor-led programmes and bite-sized online learning. The aim is to make professional development more accessible to businesses of different sizes.

BIFA has also been working to expand progression opportunities beyond its existing Level 2 qualifications, including development work on Level 3 training. This reflects a growing recognition that freight forwarding should offer clear opportunities for employees to develop specialist knowledge and progress throughout their careers.

Why practical knowledge still matters

During the podcast, Carl emphasises the value of learning from experienced freight forwarding professionals. Understanding customs processes, consolidation, transport documentation and the movement of international shipments helps employees appreciate why specific procedures exist. Practical training also encourages workers to ask questions, develop good habits and recognise potential problems before they affect a consignment. For employers, investing in staff development can improve operational efficiency, strengthen compliance and create a more confident workforce.

The Growing Role of E-Learning in Freight Forwarding

Not every employee can spend several days away from work attending a classroom course. For smaller freight forwarding businesses, arranging training around daily operations can be particularly challenging. Carl discusses BIFA’s introduction of its bite-sized e-learning programmes, designed to provide shorter learning opportunities covering specific industry topics. These programmes allow employees to develop their knowledge at a time and place that suits them, making professional development more flexible.

However, the conversation also highlights the continuing importance of experienced trainers who can answer questions and explain how regulations apply to real situations. At Logicom Hub, we recognise the value of providing different learning approaches to suit businesses and their employees. Our Dangerous Goods training includes online e-learning and instructor-led learning opportunities, helping businesses develop the knowledge required to transport Dangerous Goods safely by air, road and sea. Whether training takes place online or in a classroom, its effectiveness depends on employees being able to apply what they have learned confidently in their day-to-day responsibilities.

Apprenticeships: Attracting the Next Generation of Freight Forwarders

A major theme of the discussion is the need to attract more young people into freight forwarding and logistics. Despite the industry’s importance, many students and school leavers remain unaware of the variety of careers available. Carl explains how BIFA helped develop the International Freight Forwarding Apprenticeship standard, which became available in 2018. The apprenticeship was designed with input from employers to provide practical, industry-relevant training and create a route into freight forwarding. It also incorporates customs knowledge, reflecting the importance of international trade procedures within the profession.

Encouraging smaller businesses to take on apprentices

While larger organisations have embraced apprenticeship programmes, Carl highlights the opportunities available for small and medium-sized freight forwarding businesses. Many smaller employers recognise the benefits of apprenticeships but are unsure how to begin or whether they can accommodate the additional responsibility.

BIFA encourages these businesses to consider apprenticeships based on their individual staffing needs.

An apprenticeship does not necessarily have to focus on freight forwarding. Employers may also benefit from developing talent in areas such as IT, finance, administration or human resources.

At Logicom Hub, we understand the value of apprenticeships firsthand. During the discussion, Sam shares our own experience of welcoming an apprentice into the business through a learning and development programme, before offering a permanent position.

This demonstrates how apprenticeships can provide valuable opportunities for employees while helping businesses develop the skills they need for the future.

Connecting Schools, Colleges and the Logistics Industry

How can businesses encourage young people to consider a career they may know very little about?

One solution discussed during the podcast is stronger collaboration between educators and employers.

Steve highlights BIFA’s work with colleges in Southampton, where the organisation has supported the introduction of practical freight forwarding knowledge into existing educational programmes.

The aim is to help students understand the skills employers require before they enter the workplace. BIFA is also exploring opportunities to develop similar relationships with other colleges and educational institutions.

Why local employer involvement matters

Carl encourages freight forwarding businesses to become more involved with nearby schools.

This could include attending careers fairs, delivering presentations, providing mock interviews or simply speaking to students about working in logistics.

Even a few hours of involvement each year could make a meaningful difference.

Smaller businesses have a particularly valuable role because students may already recognise large logistics companies but be unfamiliar with the many independent freight forwarders operating in their local communities.

During the conversation, Sam also discusses Logicom Hub’s involvement with a local college developing a logistics programme.

By speaking with students about Dangerous Goods, we can help them understand that logistics involves more than transporting packages.

It also requires knowledge of safety, regulations, documentation and the responsibilities involved in moving different types of goods.

These partnerships between education and industry can help develop a workforce that is better prepared for the realities of modern logistics.

Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Risks for Freight Forwarders

Artificial Intelligence is another increasingly important topic for the freight forwarding industry.

BIFA has established an AI working group to help members understand the opportunities and challenges associated with introducing new technology into their businesses.

Steve explains that the group’s focus is not simply recommending software or encouraging businesses to adopt AI.

Instead, it considers questions surrounding governance, liability, risk and the appropriate use of technology.

For freight forwarders, AI could potentially support activities such as:

• Reviewing shipping documentation and identifying possible errors
• Improving data processing and administrative efficiency
• Supporting customs and regulatory compliance checks
• Analysing operational information to assist decision-making
• Reducing repetitive administrative tasks

However, the introduction of AI also raises important questions.

Who is responsible when an automated system makes an error? How should businesses protect commercially sensitive information? What level of human oversight is required?

These are challenges that businesses must consider before placing too much reliance on new technology.

Technology can support freight forwarding professionals, but it does not remove the importance of industry knowledge, accountability and competent staff.

Dangerous Goods Compliance: An Essential Part of Freight Forwarding

While the podcast explores the wider logistics industry, the discussion also reinforces the importance of professional competence and training.

Freight forwarders regularly encounter goods that require specialist handling, packaging, documentation or transport arrangements.

These can include lithium batteries, flammable liquids, aerosols, chemicals, infectious substances and other regulated products.

Failing to recognise Dangerous Goods at an early stage can result in rejected consignments, delays and safety risks.

Employees involved in the preparation, handling or transportation of Dangerous Goods need training appropriate to their responsibilities and the relevant transport regulations.

At Logicom Hub, we provide specialist Dangerous Goods training covering:

• Air: IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
• Road: ADR requirements
• Sea: IMDG Code requirements
• Lithium batteries: Classification, packing, marking, labelling and documentation
• Dangerous Goods Awareness: Recognising regulated goods and understanding transport responsibilities

Our training programmes are designed to help individuals and organisations develop the skills needed to apply Dangerous Goods regulations in real workplace situations.

Find out more about our Dangerous Goods training and consultancy services.

Why the Freight Forwarding Industry Deserves Greater Recognition

Another important message from the discussion is that the logistics industry needs a stronger public profile.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and following Brexit, businesses became increasingly aware of how important freight forwarding, customs and logistics are to their operations.

Supply chain professionals played a crucial role in keeping goods moving during periods of significant disruption.

Steve explains that these challenges helped bring freight forwarding into discussions at senior management and boardroom level.

However, raising awareness should not happen only during a crisis.

The industry must continue to demonstrate the value it brings to businesses, communities and the wider economy.

This includes promoting career opportunities, encouraging investment in training and ensuring that decision-makers understand the practical challenges faced by logistics professionals.

The Future of Freight Forwarding Starts with People

The conversation with Steve Parker and Carl Hobbis highlights several important priorities for the future of freight forwarding.

Businesses must remain adaptable as global supply chains change, while continuing to invest in training, technology and employee development.

Industry associations such as BIFA play an important role in representing businesses, supporting professional standards and encouraging cooperation between employers, educators and government.

At the same time, the industry must do more to attract new talent and demonstrate the opportunities available within freight forwarding and logistics.

From apprenticeships and classroom learning to specialist Dangerous Goods qualifications, developing a knowledgeable workforce will be essential to keeping international trade moving safely and efficiently.

Watch The Cargo Couch

In this episode of The Cargo Couch, Sam Stretton speaks with Steve Parker and Carl Hobbis from BIFA about the challenges, opportunities and developments shaping freight forwarding. Watch it here.

Their conversation offers valuable insights for freight forwarders, logistics managers, training professionals and anyone considering a career in the supply chain industry.

Interested in Dangerous Goods training or consultancy?

Logicom Hub provides Dangerous Goods training by air, road and sea, helping businesses build competent teams and maintain safe, compliant transport operations.

Contact us to discuss your training requirements:

Telephone: 0330 912 5041

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://logicomhub.com/