Transportation Warehousing & Logistics
Transportation, warehousing and logistics services make the global economy possible. Chicago has a unique and prominent position in this industry: it is the only city where all of the six largest North American rail companies meet, and it is the third-busiest inter modal hub in the world. The TWL industry is the fifth largest in the Chicago region and is critical to the health of our economy.
In March of 2004, CWB held a regional Transportation, Warehousing and Logistics (TWL) Workforce Summit to kick-off our work in the industry in partnership with eight other Workforce Boards covering the 11-county Chicagoland region. Other event sponsors included the Central States Expedited Carriers Association, Chicago Area Transportation Study, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Council of Logistics Management, DuPage County Department of Economic Development and Planning, Enterpriz, Grand Victoria Foundation, Greater O’Hare Association of Industry and Commerce, McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, Traffic Club of Chicago, Warehousing Education and Research Council, Will County Center for Economic Development, and World Business Chicago. Three hundred and nineteen representatives from TWL, government, organized labor, education and others met to development solutions for TWL workforce challenges.
In follow-up to the summit, CWB and the regional Workforce Boards worked with the industry to discuss and examine the industry's workforce needs as part of the Illinois Critical Skill Shortages Initiative (CSSI). Over $1.3 million in state funds is being invested to implement creative solutions aimed at addressing the TWL industry’s workforce needs. These state funds leveraged an additional investment of $2.1 million for these projects. Within the City of Chicago, over $800,000 of the state grant has been directed to TWL projects. These projects include:
- Greater West Town Community Development Project/Shipping and Receiving Training Program: The Shipping and Receiving Training Program, operated in partnership with employers, produces workers with skills needed for targeted TWL occupations. Individuals receive vocational skills instruction that results in employment.
- National Able/Transportation, Warehousing and Logistics Solutions: This program includes a comprehensive assessment of candidates, strategies to address barriers that threaten successful completion of CDL training, provision of training, and employment with three employer partners.
- Richard J. Daley College/Transportation, Warehousing and Logistics Program: This program will focus on preparation of individuals for employment in machinist, general CNC and mechanic positions. The project includes four-week, paid internships with participating employers. Target population includes bilingual Latinos.
- Olive-Harvey College/TWL Workforce Preparation Academy: This project includes a Workplace Preparation Academy bridge program that is designed to enhance the transition from adult education to occupational training. Additionally, cohort classes have been created for the provision of training resulting in employment as bus operators, truck drivers, and forklift operators.
- TEC Services Consulting will administer a training program that provides incumbent workers with instruction on computer desktop installation and support, general software installation and support, customer service, project management and other employment related skills necessary to support general technology used in the TWL industry. Instruction will be delivered online with classroom time devoted to general review of content, progress assessment and application of learned content on projects. Industry certifications that the participants will be prepared for include the IC3, A+ and MCDST.