After taking a transportation dispatcher course in Canada, you will have several career options. These jobs will all focus on logistics, planning, and communication. However, the areas of specialization can be very different depending on the industry in which your employer works.
Here is a look at what you will learn during a dispatcher course in Canada, what careers will open to you once your finish, and what to look for in a school.
What do you learn in a dispatcher course?
The coursework will equip you with specific soft skills, such as problem-solving and decision-making. These abilities will help you handle challenges such as roadside emergencies, provincial and national regulations, weight allotment, schedule management, customer service updates, and communication with drivers.
You will also learn the technical skills for using radios, phones, and computer systems. Many jobs require that you master logistics and scheduling software. You will also need the knowledge to track weather reports, traffic, and driver locations.
Many dispatcher jobs are in fast-paced environments, so you really need to master the skills during your dispatcher course in Canada to thrive in your new career.
What career opportunities can you expect?
- A freight forwarding dispatcher works for a freight brokerage firm. These companies work with warehouses and distributors to move their materials or products to different locations. Freight forwarding companies are contractors. They do not own the items they transport. This career requires knowledge of material hauling and weight requirements because each load will be different depending on the contract. Depending on the job, you may also need to know about hazardous materials hauling rules.
- A truck dispatcher optimizes routes and ensures every load reaches its destination on time. In this position, your responsibilities include maintaining route and call logs, communicating freight details with drivers and customers, monitoring truck schedules, and ensuring drivers comply with regulations. You also supply weather reports, route information, and traffic updates to drivers.
- Courier dispatchers act as a point of contact between recipients and courier drivers. Unlike truck and freight forwarding positions, these usually involve transportation within one area. Most couriers work in one city or one metropolitan area. However, sometimes the deliveries are time-sensitive, so you need excellent scheduling, planning, and logistical abilities. While details of jobs vary, many dispatchers work with the same couriers regularly, so unlike freight forwarding and truck jobs, you will develop working relationships with courier drivers.
- Taxi dispatchers send cars to customers or move taxis around a city based on the company's needs or plans. In this career, you will communicate with the drivers and answer their questions about traffic or route information. You will also be the first point of contact in case of an accident or other incident.
- Public transportation dispatchers work in cities and towns with bus or train services. In addition to handling route information and traffic updates, you are the point of contact if there are issues on the road or problems with passengers. The dispatcher is always responsible for sending assistance if the driver needs it.
Why choose Alpha Logic for your dispatcher course in Canada?
At Alpha Logic, we understand the demand dispatchers face, and we designed our course to prepare them for the challenges they may face. In addition to necessary computer and interpersonal skills, you will learn to use PC Miler logistics and mapping software and become familiar with Canada's safety and compliance standards. We also provide certification for the transportation of dangerous goods.
In other words, if you take your dispatcher course with us, you will be prepared for almost any career path you might choose. Contact us with questions or fill out our form to begin the registration process.
