Shippers looking for a reputable logistics partner can often be overwhelmed by the number of 3PLs to choose from. With more than 24,000 brokerages across the US, there’s a vast difference in the experience, ability, and knowledge of the professionals on their staff. One of the best ways to vet a 3PL and determine whether they are committed to training their teams on industry best practices and adhering to standards is to look for freight brokers that are members of the TIA and participate in its CTB education program.

Of those 24,000, over 1,800 3PLs are members of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), an organization dedicated to improving the logistics industry, and the founder of the Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) education program.

Shaker Logistics has been a longtime member of the TIA, and our pathways for advancement of our logistics professionals incorporate ongoing education and attainment of a CTB credential. With 6 CTBs currently on staff and many more in the pipeline studying and preparing for the exam, Shaker recognizes that the program is an important way to level up the knowledge and skills of its professionals.

We connected with Anthony Mascarenhas, Senior Education Manager at the TIA, and Merritt Rohlfing, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager at the TIA, to talk about the importance of the CTB program to the logistics industry and how shippers can benefit from having a TIA member partner.

TIA & CTB

Since 1978, TIA has been the only organization acting as a voice for 3PLs, and their CTB certification is the only professionally recognized designation in the industry. TIA focuses on advancing professional standards, protecting ethical business practices, and providing 3PLs with avenues like the CTB program to increase credibility and knowledge. Anthony describes the CTB as not just continuing education, but part of the effort to improve the logistics industry.

“The CTB has been around since the 80s when TIA was just an annual meeting, and people could take a paper version of the CTB exam at the conference. This designation is seen as a commitment to excellence, and its credibility has always been there,” said Anthony.

The spirit behind the CTB and the rigorous studies that go into it are part of what gives the program such prestige in the logistics industry. Logistics professionals looking to earn the CTB designation must pass a prerequisite exam to enter the course, and a majority have 2 years of experience in the industry prior to enrolling. The program itself involves an intensive 4-month online course including textbook readings, online assignments, study halls, and practice tests. This all culminates in a final exam, which professionals must pass before finally receiving their CTB designation. Currently, over three thousand people have graduated from the program.

To keep pace with the ever-changing landscape of logistics and transportation, the program is continuously updated by a committee of select CTB graduates. Merritt also collects testimonials from graduates to help promote the program and inform future versions of the course.

“Individuals who have their CTB often view it as a reflection of their willingness to put the work in,” said Merritt. “We even have CEOs who put their whole team through the program, because it elevates their company as a legitimate player in the industry.”

CTBs at Shaker Logistics

Shaker’s operations manager, Dan Schwerk, CTB, attained his CTB credential in 2022 and was one of 5 recipients of a scholarship to attend the 2023 TIA Capital Ideas conference. Though it’s been several years since Dan took the CTB course, the lessons he learned stick with him today.

“To me, the best value of the CTB is that the course aligns us with the best practices of the industry. The CTB is one of the only platforms to share trade knowledge, which brings all TIA members to a higher operating level,” said Dan.

Topics covered in the course include business principles, traffic management, contracts and pricing, the regulatory environment, insurance, and legal cases. For Dan, the legal piece of the course was the most impactful.

“The legal lessons gave me a deeper understanding of how serious our work is as a 3PL. A lot is at stake in our day-to-day operations, cargo and human lives included. The course underscored the importance of doing everything right to protect ourselves and our customers.”

Only logistics professionals employed by companies that are TIA members are eligible to take part in the CTB course. As a TIA member, Shaker invests in improving customer service by continuously enrolling members of our team in the CTB program. Shaker covers the cost of the course and study materials for all of our team members.

“Anybody who takes the CTB course will find value in it,” said Dan. “Within the industry it’s a respectable career achievement. I think if more shippers knew about it, they’d be able to make better informed decisions about who they choose as their logistics provider.”

TIA Members as Preferred Partners for Shippers

Though the freight industry is much safer than it was decades ago, there are still bad actors seeking to scam shippers out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. TIA combats this by providing 3PLs with education programs and an ethical code, empowering them to better serve their shippers.

Shippers partnering with a TIA member can expect an elevated level of service. All TIA members abide by the TIA code of ethics, agreeing to “maintain high standards of professional service and ethical business conduct.” Among other things, the code of ethics states that members shall:

“Conduct business with truth, fairness, and responsibility to all customers;

Abide by all lawful agreements to which they are party;

Offer to the public uniform and consistent service;

And protect the interest of the shipping public.”

Steadiness and honesty are core values at Shaker Logistics, aligning with TIA’s ethical code. We stand with TIA’s mission to continuously improve the logistics industry, fight fraud, and serve shippers reliably. Reach out to our team today for elevated service from a reliable and ethical logistics partner.