How to Choose the Right IATA Online Training Program for Your Career

The International Air Transport Association exists largely to make sure that no matter where goods are shipped, everyone involved is safe. They set the standards for handling hazardous materials that travel by air, and you may need to get IATA certified for your job.

Fortunately, this no longer entails heading to your local training center and sitting through hours of in-person lectures. Now, you can find IATA online training easily.

The question is, how do you know which courses are right for you and your team? We're here to tell you. Read on to learn how to choose the right IATA online training program for your career.

Understand IATA DGR Course Basics

When we're talking about the basic IATA course, we're really talking about the dangerous goods regulations (DGR) course. Dangerous goods include all hazardous materials outlined by the FAA, including explosives, corrosives, and radioactive materials as well as seemingly commonplace items like lithium batteries.

In order to protect airline passengers, crew, and ground transportation workers, every step of hazardous material transportation should meet IATA standards. In the IATA DGR course, you'll learn about:

• Packing hazardous materials
• Marking and labeling hazardous materials
• Shipping and loading hazardous materials
• Transporting hazardous materials both in the air and on the ground
• Accepting hazardous materials
• Responding to unmarked or undeclared goods

Each step of the basic IATA DGR course will emphasize hazard awareness and safety practices that will keep you and your team safe. 

Verify if Your Requirements are Function-Specific

When you're getting career certifications, you may have to opt for different types of training or function-specific courses. A function-specific course will highlight all the information you need to fulfill a specific function.

For example, there is a function-specific IATA course for:

• Cabin crew, passenger handling, and security screening
• Cargo acceptance
• Flight crew and load planners
• Ramp and warehouse
• Shippers, packers, and freight forwarders

Verify with your employer what certification you need before signing up for a program. You can often complete function-specific courses in less time. 

Assess Costs and Required Materials

Budget is an important consideration when selecting online training programs. Keep in mind that IATA training is a must for advancing your career in air transportation. For this reason, you can usually ask your employer to cover the cost of your training and certification.

If you're picking a course for a group of employees, look for training programs that offer group rates. For example, our IATA DGR course costs $257.95 per student for up to three students. However, if you enroll over 21 students at the same time, that price drops to $189.95 per student.

All IATA online training programs should require students to purchase the IATA DGR manual. You will need this to complete your training and you'll continue to need it on the job.

Consider Length and Flexibility

Why is it such a boon that workers can complete certifications online these days? Online training programs can and should offer a level of flexibility in-classroom courses can't match.

Most workers can't afford to stop what they're doing and become a full-time student, even if only for a week or two. To complete our basic IATA DGR course, you'll need to set aside a minimum of six hours. However, you can start and stop as needed, making it easy to keep up with other day-to-day obligations.

We also offer our courses in over 100 languages thanks to Google Translate. This creates more opportunities for ESL and immigrant workers across the nation. 

Look for Refresher Courses

The purpose of IATA DGR training is to increase safety while dealing with hazardous materials, and that requires the awareness and commitment of everyone involved. As a way to enforce dangerous goods regulations, employees must take refresher courses from time to time.

At a minimum, you will need to take a refresher course within 24 months of your last training program. Some state and local authorities may require certain personnel to complete refresher courses sooner and more often.

When you're selecting your IATA online training program, make sure they also offer a refresher course. That way you know where to go and what formatting to expect when it's time to get re-certified.

Make Sure Course Content Is Up to Date

Regular refresher courses also ensure that personnel are familiar with the latest dangerous goods information and regulations. The IATA manual updates reflect:

• New research and findings
• Changing threats and hazards
• Industry and global market shifts

These updates happen every year and go into effect the first of the year. Make sure that the training program you choose makes the necessary changes to reflect the latest IATA manual.

All of our IATA online training programs include modules that cover the latest manual updates. This includes basic and refresher as well as function-specific courses.

Make Sure the Course Fulfills Requirements

The unfortunate side of online training courses is the growing number of training program scams. These scams may falsify claims of what they provide or their accreditation status. Make sure to research online course providers before giving them money.

Some courses may not fulfill your specific requirements for advancing your career, even if they aren't a scam. Once again, make sure to double-check the type of course you need to take for your job.

Our IATA DGR course meets all the requirements for jobs involving the air transport of dangerous goods. This includes specific requirements outlined by UPS and FedEx.

Check Out CTO IATA Online Training Programs

The IATA is the authority in safe air transportation of dangerous goods. When everyone from flight attendants to freight forwarders get IATA DGR certified, we can all feel more confident in global transportation safety. Use this guide to find the right IATA online training course for you or your team.

Compliance Online Training has the highest ratings and industry trust of any online training provider. We've been committed to our up-to-date, flexible training programs since 2008. Over 31,600 companies, government agencies, and universities use our online courses. When you or an employee need work certification, head to CTO and check out our extensive course options.

Ready to sign up for the IATA online training? Take a look at the IATA DGR courses we offer or contact us today for more information.