CarriersEdge is offering a new Border Crossing/C-TPAT training course for drivers, covering security and threat awareness, security inspections and successful border crossing.

Carriers with C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) certification are required to perform inspections and to provide driver training. CarriersEdge’s training courses help drivers ensure that they are prepared at the border and that inspections are completed properly.

“Canada and the United States share the longest land border in the world that thousands of trucks and about $500 million in trade cross daily,” said Mark Murrell, vp, sales & marketing, at CarriersEdge. “It can be a long and frustrating task when a driver is not prepared with an understanding of security issues. Our new Border Crossing training courses explain security inspections, procedures and issues to minimize a driver's chances of facing long delays at the border.”

The training course is divided into four modules that can be completed separately or all at once. Included is a single course incorporating all modules that is designed for orientation purposes and the following three modules for refresher or remedial training:

• C-TPAT/PIP Security and Threat Awareness covers five main areas where possible security issues can arise, including at the terminal, before the trip, on the road, during a stop and during a delivery. Additionally, it covers threat awareness, including such topics as how to recognize suspicious behavior, communication practices, and how to handle a hijacking.

• C-TPAT/PIP Security Inspections covers when and how to conduct a security inspection on trailers or containers and on security seals, and how these practices differ from regular pre-trip inspections.

• Successful Border Crossing covers how to minimize a driver's chances of facing long delays at the U.S./Canada border by focusing on border security and customs pre-clearance programs, personal identification needs, vehicle requirements, and a variety of best practices.

C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) is a voluntary program from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) focused on improving the security of supply chains with respect to terrorism.

Companies that achieve C-TPAT certification have a documented process for determining and alleviating risk, resulting in expedited processing of their cargo. The Partners in Protection program is a voluntary commercial security program between the Canadian Border Services Agency and companies involved in cross-border trade. PIP members commit to securing the supply chain by complying with physical, infrastructure and procedural security measures.

CarriersEdge courses are designed to provide interactive training for drivers, regardless of their learning style, age or industry experience. The compay said this instructional approach can foster a deeper understanding of course material than comparable video-based offerings by fully engaging drivers in the e-learning process.