New certificate will build logistics skills

Prologis, Inc. and the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) are working together to create a new industry certificate that will help develop the next generation of talent for the logistics industry.

The program is expected to launch in the third calendar quarter of 2021. 

This industry-driven certificate will serve as a standard for core skills in logistics and builds on an online curriculum that Prologis introduced last year.

 As part of the digital learning and development program, students will acquire skills and gain an understanding of the logistics sector. After passing an exam, students will receive completion certificates, digital badges and credentials for their resumes.

The online courses were developed in collaboration with several Prologis customers including NFI and Geodis. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, warehouse employment reached the highest level ever recorded with 1.25 million workers in 2020, and the transportation, warehousing and related fields are projected to have 600,000 new openings by 2029.

“The need for skilled logistics workers has never been greater, particularly as warehousing and logistics operators strive to meet demand driven by faster fulfillment and higher inventory levels,” said Prologis chief legal officer and ESG head Edward S. Nekritz.

“Our future-focused approach drives our efforts to build a talent pipeline for our customers, with an emphasis on revitalizing career pathways and creating economic opportunity in the communities where we operate.” 

“The pandemic has further exacerbated the need for upskilling to an unprecedented level,” said ASCM Foundation vice-president Dan Schoenfeld.

“This partnership with Prologis aligns perfectly with our Foundation’s mission of creating a better world through the supply chain by attracting more people to the field and preparing them for rewarding career opportunities.” 

The first-of-its-kind certificate will be developed with the ASCM Foundation as part of the global Prologis Community Workforce Initiative (CWI). Prologis CWI was created as an extension of the company’s commitment to delivering superior customer service while strengthening local communities.

The company has pledged to train 25,000 individuals for jobs in transportation, distribution and logistics by the end of 2025. 

As of March 31, 2021, Prologis owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 990 million square feet (92 million square meters) in 19 countries. Prologis leases modern logistics facilities to a diverse base of approximately 5,500 customers principally across two major categories: business-to-business and retail/online fulfillment.