COURSES
The Cold Chain Institute features classes focusing on best practices in the refrigerated warehousing and logistics industries. Learn more about the Year 1 curriculum/courses below.
Year 1 Curriculum
AMMONIA SAFETY
Describe the health effects of ammonia exposure
Describe initial first aid for ammonia exposures
Define the physical and chemical characteristics of ammonia that affect safety and its use as a refrigerant
Learn about the other refrigerants in use and their respective safety considerations
Beware of F-gas phasing out and system transitioning
ACCESSING YOUR GCCA RESOURCES
Learn what the GCCA offers beyond the Institute
Tour the GCCA website and member benefits
Introduce the benefits of the GCCF Inquiry Service and Technical Guides
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Describe the eleven difficult customer types
Describe 10 ways to handle disagreements effectively
Create a plan to engage with customers on a regular basis
CUSTOMER SERVICE ESSENTIALS
Recognize the importance of delivering excellent customer service to the maintenance and growth of your company's customer base
Identify potential solutions and adequate communication to customer complaints
Demonstrate the ability to handle customer complaints so that customers are satisfied
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING
Define "Emergency Action Plan" and "Emergency Response Plan" and identify the key components
Identify the various levels of training needed by warehouse employees
Evaluate the pros and cons of having an in-house response team or using outside services
FINANCE 101
Define the difference between finance and accounting
Review accounting terms and apply them to daily life
Explain how day-to-day operations can have a direct impact on your business profitability
Understand how financial considerations/strategy may influence day-to-day operations
FOOD SAFETY
Comprehend the implications of food regulations on your job
Describe the difference between food quality and safety
Identify food safety requirements for the public refrigerated warehouse
Understand audit process and what is expected from your business to prepare adequately
Describe “Chain of Responsibility”
FUNDAMENTALS OF FOOD STORAGE AND PRESERVATION
Understand the effect of temperature-controlled storage; chilling, freezing and frozen on the quality of food products
Identify the factors that influence shelf life
Recognize the effect of temperature on chemical reaction rates
Accept each public refrigerated warehouse employee’s role in maintaining product quality
Know how to answer specific commodity storage questions
Prepare a product/commodity for Export
JOB SAFETY
Describe safety regulatory framework in Europe and the role it plays in your job
Explain why Risk Assessments are important
Describe the Risk Assessments procedure
Conduct a Risk Assessment
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Differentiate various leadership styles
Learn how to involve people and help them invest their personal commitment
Define ways to interact with various audiences - teams, colleagues, supervisors
Apply succession planning to the context of their warehouse facility
Build collaborative, interdependent, and supportive teams
WAREHOUSE OPERATION ESSENTIALS
Identify ways the refrigerated warehouse industry is changing
Compare procedures in your warehouse to those used in other facilities
Outline the steps involved in handling temperature-controlled products
Stay abreast of the fast pace of innovation and how it influences ways of operating
TRANSPORT - CARRIER RELATIONSHIPS
Define the carrier's priorities when doing business with a warehouse customer/partner
Modify their business operations to attract new carrier partnerships
Outline clear expectations for partnering with trucking companies
Resolve common conflicts between warehouse and carrier partner
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
Analyze their writing skills to find areas that need improvement.
Identify the benefits of professional writing style
Compose an employee performance review with all the necessary content
RISK MANAGEMENT: WAREHOUSE EXPOSURES
Identify the basic exposures of loss to a public refrigerated warehouse
Analyze various loss prevention techniques currently in use by warehouse operators
Date Range
2-4 September 2025 (All day)
Location
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Event Type
In Person
Event Category
Training & Education
Region
Europe, Africa
Sector
GCCA Warehouse and GCCA Transportation
Year 2 Curriculum
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 a given position.
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.
CASE STUDIES IN WAREHOUSE LAW
Distinguish between specific and general lines.
Explain the pitfalls of customer-prepared agreements.
Given a case study, predict potential legal issues and suggest actions to reduce the liability of a warehouse.
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
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.
EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS
Define appropriate scenarios when a presentation is necessary.
Identify how to structure a clear presentation.
Use visual aids effectively.
List tips for making a powerful first impression.
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.
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 & 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 certification.
Learn the sanitary best practices of refrigerated transportation.