Southern California has started a three-year, $4.3 million U.S. Department of Labor training grant to upgrade and certify workforce skills in the nation's largest logistics hub. A group of community colleges began to deliver various courses this January to prepare both entry-level and incumbent workers in the advanced skills needed by the region to enhance its productivity and global competitiveness in this critical industry.
The centerpiece of this grant is the use of first-ever industry-led, national certifications for material handling workers provided by the nationwide Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). The national leader in certifying the core technical skills of the front-line industrial workforce, the non-profit MSSC offers both a foundational-level Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) and mid-level technical Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) credential. These cover material handling workers in all supply chain facilities: warehouses, distribution centers, transporters, and production sites.
This grant is being implemented under a large regional consortium: the Southern California Logistics Technology Collaborative. The participating community colleges in the SCLTC are San Bernardino, Long Beach, East LA and Riverside. SCLTC also embraces eight workforce centers, five community organizations, and seven industry partners, including UPS, Port of Long Beach, Schneider Logistics, and Hillwood Alliance CA.
