To work as a freight handler, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

On-the-job training

Most freight handlers learn their skills on the job by beginning as helpers. Those who use dangerous equipment or work with hazardous materials receive additional training. In general, training lasts up to one month.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be cargo specialists. Training lasts two to six weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.