highlights

Application Deadline Extended – The Freight Academy is now accepting nominations through July 25.

A limited number of full scholarships are available.

• about the academy
• program
  • description
  • objectives
  • curriculum
  • agenda
  • dates
  • fees
  • location
• participants
  • profile
  • expectations
  • recognition
  • graduates
  • photos
  • feedback
• nomination process
  • nomination form
  • scholarships
• contact info

description

The Freight Academy program was developed based upon the models of successful training programs in freight and other related fields throughout the United States. It consists of three components: pre-program review and assignment, a one-week immersion program, and a group Capstone project with a final presentation at an I-95 Corridor Coalition meeting.

Pre-Program Review and Assignment

Participants will be provided with a packet of background information related to the topics covered during the course of the Immersion Week program. The Immersion Week curriculum is based on the assumption that all participants have been exposed to freight topics and issues, and have a solid understanding of the information provided in the pre-program packet.

In the weeks leading up to the Freight Academy Immersion Week, each participant will be asked to create a freight profile of their region, using a template to be provided. The purpose of this assignment is to encourage participants to think specifically about the issues that their region is facing, and be able to consider the information they are gathering throughout the week in this context. Participants will submit their freight profile on the first day of the Immersion Week.

Immersion Week Program

The total immersion program includes the following mix of activities:

Formal Classroom Training

Formal classroom training, including lectures and panel discussions, will cover each of the major modes and players, including: shippers, ports, trucks, distribution centers, rail, and airports. These sessions will be taught by a group of experienced public sector agency staff and private sector professionals who will share firsthand knowledge of trends and issues relating to freight planning, policy and operations. The classroom sessions will be a mix of lecture and interactive discussions. The learning objectives will be provided at the beginning of each session, and reviewed with participants at the end.

Field Visits

During the course of the Immersion Week, participants will have the opportunity to visit a wide range of freight-related facilities. These will include a retail distribution center, a port terminal site, a cross dock location, a shipper distribution center, and an airport. Before each visit participants will meet with operators of each facility to learn about daily operations, trends, issues, and other freight system impacts and issues. Participants will be expected to incorporate observations from these visits into their Capstone projects.

Capstone Project

During the Immersion Week: Based on interest indicated on the nomination form, participants will be assigned to a capstone project group (5 to 6 participants to each project group) at the beginning of the Immersion Week, and presented with a project assignment. The assignment will require integration of the material gathered throughout the Immersion Week through classroom sessions and field visits. It is up to each team to formulate questions, identify the needed information, and obtain information from the sources offered during the immersion portion of the Freight Academy. Time for team meetings has been included in the program. Click here for a sample capstone project.

After the Immersion Program: Teams will continue to communicate and work on the capstone project during the months following the Immersion Program. Teams are expected to submit a written capstone peport and presentation one month prior to the I‑95 Corridor Coalition meeting where capstone teams will present. The reports will be provided to capstone project review panel members as background for the presentation.

Wrap-Up Program: One member from each capstone project group will be required to attend an I‑95 Corridor Coalition meeting to present the findings of the report.¹ The representative will be selected by peers, with Freight Academy staff approval. A session will be organized for the designated participants to present their findings to a review panel of Coalition member representatives. Presenters will be asked to respond to questions from panel members.

Partners

The following agencies, organizations, and private sector companies are partners and generous supporters of the Freight Academy:

Aeropostale