Prologis Pledges to Train 25,000 Individuals for In-Demand Logistics Jobs by 2025
Company partners with JFF to scale Prologis Community Workforce Initiative with digital curriculum and community-based partnerships
Prologis, Inc., the global leader in logistics real estate, today announced it will expand its Prologis Community Workforce Initiative (CWI) to equip 25,000 individuals with the necessary skills for jobs in transportation, distribution and logistics by the end of 2025. In partnership with JFF, a national nonprofit that drives transformation in the American workforce and education systems, Prologis will build a talent pipeline for its customers, with an emphasis on revitalizing career pathways and creating economic opportunity in the communities where it operates.
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Prologis CWI will focus on two key areas:
- Online training platform and logistics curriculum: Prologis and JFF have designed a digital learning and development program to build competencies for today’s logistics workforce. Developed over the past year, the online program addresses basic workforce skills, lean principles and logistics-specific training in areas such as workplace safety and forklift operation. The courses incorporate the latest technologies, including virtual reality tools, and can be accessed at the student’s convenience using a computer or mobile device (with only a browser required).
As part of the online training platform, Prologis is creating an industry-driven certification that will help more people begin their careers in logistics and serve as a standard for core skills in the transportation and distribution sectors.
Training materials have been developed with the input of Prologis customers and can be customized to fit a company’s specific needs. The platform has been in trial with several customers, including GEODIS and NFI Industries, as well as community partners. - Partnerships with community-based organizations: Utilizing JFF’s expertise as a nonprofit intermediary dedicated to strengthening education and workforce development systems, Prologis will provide funding to community-based organizations, community colleges and workforce development boards. These organizations will engage jobseekers through online training resources, connect them with regional employment opportunities and provide additional career guidance, coaching and support services to foster their success as the next generation of logistics talent.
The partnerships will begin in Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Tracy, CA; Long Beach, CA; and Philadelphia, PA – regions with a significant and growing presence of logistics companies and corresponding demand for talent. Additional expansion to other cities is planned for 2021.
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“Logistics provides meaningful long-term careers in communities large and small, and our expanded Prologis CWI programs will help individuals take the first step toward a promising career path in this dynamic industry,” said Hamid R. Moghadam, chairman and CEO, Prologis. “Now more than ever, our customers have informed us that they are facing a serious hiring gap, and we believe this collaborative effort can help bridge the connection between the public and private sectors.”
“Prologis’ commitment to rapidly prepare 25,000 displaced workers for in-demand roles in a large and growing industry is the type of proactive leadership we want to see in this moment of crisis. Its benefits will be profound for workers, employers and the broader economy,” said Maria Flynn, president and CEO, JFF. “We deeply value our partnership with Prologis – we know that the launch of CWI is an important milestone in our collective vision and efforts to build toward a more equitable economic recovery.”
“GEODIS’ success is driven by our teammates, and Prologis CWI’s ‘learn anywhere, anytime’ online program provides us with the flexibility to train and develop talent from the ground up,” said Shannon Leffler, senior vice president of human resources, GEODIS in Americas. “As a supplement to our internal learning programs, we’ve seen firsthand its impact in helping supervisors and frontline leaders realize their potential as they grow into rewarding careers in logistics, and it aligns well with a GEODIS leadership principle of engaging and empowering people.”
The need for skilled logistics workers has never been greater, particularly as warehousing and logistics operators strive to meet demand driven by consumers shopping online. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 13 million people in the U.S. were employed in the transportation and logistics industry in 2019. Transportation, warehousing and related fields are projected to add 600,000 new jobs by 2026. In Prologis’ own customer surveys, companies have indicated that labor is a top concern.
Launched in 2018, Prologis CWI was created as an extension of the company’s commitment to deliver superior customer service while strengthening local communities. It has established partnerships in seven markets in the U.S. and Mexico.
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