Program

The Cold Chain Institute features classes focusing on best practices in the refrigerated warehousing and logistics industries. Learn more about the Year 1 & 2 curriculum and courses below.

Year 1 Curriculum

ACCESSING YOUR GCCA RESOURCES

  • Identify GCCA and GCCF programs and services beyond the Institute.
  • Navigate the GCCA website and locate membership benefits, including the Inquiry Service and Technical Guides.
  • Understand the structure and modules of the Cold Chain Institute course.

SUPPLY CHAIN BASICS

  • Understand the concepts of value and value stream within the cold chain;
  • Compare PUSH and PULL inventory systems and their operational impact;
  • Identify waste in logistics operations and apply Lean principles to improve efficiency;
  • Explore the strategic role of logistics as a link between suppliers, operators, and customers.

WAREHOUSE OPERATION ESSENTIALS

  • Describe the four guiding principles of warehouse operations.
  • Compare standard procedures in your warehouse to those in other facilities.
  • Identify key steps in handling temperature-controlled products.

CUSTOMER SERVICE ESSENTIALS

  • Explain the impact of excellent customer service on business growth and retention.
  • Identify and implement solutions for common customer complaints.
  • Demonstrate how to handle client concerns to maintain satisfaction.

RISK ANALYSIS & MANAGEMENT

  • Describe the importance of risk management in warehouse operations.
  • Outline the Risk Assessment process and complete a basic evaluation.
  • Differentiate types of warehouse exposures and review loss prevention techniques.

AMMONIA SAFETY

  • Identify why ammonia is used in refrigeration.
  • Describe its key physical and chemical properties.
  • List health and safety risks, proper handling procedures, and first aid steps.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

  • Identify challenging customer types.
  • Apply techniques to resolve internal and external disagreements.
  • Develop an action plan for regular customer engagement.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS

  • Recognize the different types of organizational communication.
  • Understand the value of assertiveness and branding in communication.
  • Apply communication skills to advance your career.

FOOD SAFETY: HACCP & FSMA

  • Distinguish between food quality and food safety.
  • Identify regulatory requirements affecting cold storage facilities.
  • Explain key HACCP principles and how they apply to self-monitoring plans.

TRANSPORTATION BASICS

  • Understand the importance of temperature control in transport.
  • Identify cold chain transportation methods and key components.
  • Describe the process and benefits of pre-cooling a trailer.
  • Distinguish between asset-based and non-asset-based transportation.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING

  • Define Emergency Action and Emergency Response Plans.
  • List required employee training levels for emergency preparedness.
  • Evaluate pros and cons of internal vs. external emergency teams.

FINANCE 101

  • Differentiate between finance and accounting.
  • Apply key financial terms to daily operations.
  • Explain how warehouse activities affect business profitability.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

  • Identify key leadership styles and their strengths.
  • Adapt leadership approach to manage high-performing teams.
  • Develop strategies to increase engagement and performance.

FUNDAMENTALS OF FOOD STORAGE AND PRESERVATION

  • Explain the impact of controlled-temperature storage on food quality and shelf life.
  • Identify critical factors affecting chemical reactions in frozen storage.
  • Prepare food products for export while maintaining quality standards.

Date Range
August 19-21, 2025

Location
Gran Estanplaza Berrini - Cidade Monções, São Paulo

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Event Type
In Person

Event Category
Training & Education

Region
Brazil

Sector
All

Year 2 Curriculum

BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL CONTROLS

  • Explain the budgeting process.
  • Recognize the components and interaction of a Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Statement.
  • Calculate cash flow for a given period.
  • Apply a cost-benefit analysis technique for securing the approval of a project.

CUSTOMER RECALL SIMULATION

  • Describe the process of a recall.
  • Identify the 3PL warehouse’s responsibilities during a recall.
  • Conduct an effective mock recall.

CYBER SECURITY: TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS

  • Identify current technology and information systems used in the Cold Storage industry.
  • Recognize threats and vulnerabilities to commonly used systems.
  • Develop strategies to identify and prevent cyber-attacks.

DATAFLOW AND FREIGHT DOCUMENTATION

  • Understand different types of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
  • Identify different standardized EDI formats.
  • Learn the benefits and drawbacks of EDI.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING FOR SAFETY

  • Define your role as a safety leader.
  • Apply strategies for providing and reinforcing safety feedback.
  • Identify techniques for value-added safety training.

FEEDBACK AND COACHING

  • Define what effective coaching looks like in a workplace/management environment.
  • Differentiate the importance of positive feedback from feedback for growth.
  • Apply techniques for delivering employee-specific feedback.

FOOD SAFETY IN THE MODERN WAREHOUSE

  • Defend the reasons for conducting a sanitation audit.
  • Recognize critical conditions that would prevent an “excellent” audit grade.
  • Analyze their warehouse’s sanitation procedures for weaknesses.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND THE COLD CHAIN

  • Explain the structure of the international cold chain.
  • Define common maritime industry nomenclature.
  • Analyze the impact of government agencies on international business.

INTRODUCTION TO WAREHOUSE LAW

  • Interpret the "reasonable care" standard.
  • Differentiate between negotiable and non-negotiable warehouse receipts.
  • Identify strategies to maximize the enforcement of terms and conditions.

MANAGING AND MOTIVATING HUMAN PERFORMANCE

  • Relate employee performance to personal and operational success.
  • Identify best practices for annual goal setting.
  • Summarize frameworks for measuring and evaluating employee performance.

REFRIGERATION AND ENERGY

  • Define energy demand.
  • List the systems and employee roles that have the greatest influence on energy use in your facility.
  • Describe the components of an energy management strategy.
  • Analyze their warehouse facility energy management program.

SANITARY TRANSPORTATION OF FOOD

  • Understand the STF rule and why it is important.
  • Describe the benefits of being Cold Carrier Certified.
  • Learn the sanitary best practices of refrigerated transportation.

EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS

  • Define appropriate scenarios when a presentation is necessary.
  • Identify how to structure a clear presentation.
  • Use visual aids effectively.

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWING

  • List the steps for preparing to interview a job candidate.
  • Construct a series of behavioral questions that align to a job description.
  • Evaluate candidate responses to determine the best fit for the position.

 

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