Industrial property developer Prologis Inc. is addressing a logistics labor shortage by going straight to the source of tomorrow's work force—the high school classroom. The company is partnering with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) to launch a new program that will provide mentorship, skills training, and internships for high school students interested in pursuing careers in logistics, distribution, and transportation.
The move is an expansion of a similar program launched in Southern California last fall, San Francisco-based Prologis said. Construction of the Florida Prologis Trade and Logistics Lab was scheduled to begin this month, with the first students expected to enroll in August 2019.
The latest Prologis Trade and Logistics Lab will be housed at Miami Springs Senior High School and will reach more than 300 students enrolled in the district's five high school trade and logistics programs, the firm said. Throughout the four-year program, students will have access to a state-of-the-art instructional lab, an industry-focused curriculum designed with input from Prologis, and experiential learning opportunities such as career exploration days. Students will also receive career guidance from industry executives and be matched in trade internships after their junior year.
"With demand for skilled labor in logistics, transportation, and fulfillment on the rise, job training programs that foster high-quality, rewarding career pathways have never been more important," Prologis's chief legal officer, Edward S. Nekritz, said in a release. "Connecting with organizations like Miami-Dade County Public Schools allows us to build a pipeline of talented workers for the future, in addition to enhancing local economies and delivering superior customer service."
