DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist of Deutsche Post DHL, has announced the launch of the ˜Corporate Automotive Logistics Academy 4.0' (CALA 4.0) on 24 October, 2013. The academy is a training program for the automotive industry and is aimed at manufacturers, suppliers and customers of DHL Global Forwarding Germany. The modular program has been developed in cooperation with BVL Campus, the educational institution of the German logistics association BVL, and trains participants to become experts in automotive logistics.

I am firmly convinced that CALA 4.0, which was designed by DHL and BVL Campus, will develop into an innovation platform for automotive logistics. To fully exploit the innovation potential within the logistics sector, the program confronts logistics experts with new requirements. In the academy, we work with selected forms of learning. Participants work cooperatively, networked and interactively in presence labs and on virtual platforms to find solutions for all areas of automotive logistics, says Thomas Wimmer, Chairman of the Executive Board of BVL.

The academy takes a modular approach. At the beginning in October 2013, there will be two modules; six others will be added from 2014 onwards. In the first training course attendees will learn about current trends and strategies in automotive logistics. Each module encompasses one day of classes and workshops. Afterwards an online platform offers further learning possibilities. Upon completing all modules, all participants will receive a certificate.

CALA 4.0 is an important component in the development of our Automotive Competence Centers. We are taking a leadership role in the area of talent management, which is one of the key factors in the automotive industry and has a strong relevance for logistics, not least because of demographic change. The systematic approach of the academy as well as the high practical relevance in combination with science is unique, says Christiane Beimel, Vice President Global Automotive Competency Centers, DHL Global Forwarding.

The academy starts in Germany. From 2014 onward, DHL Global Forwarding will expand the training and offer it on a global scale.