Prologis Trade and Logistics Lab opens in Miami

Logistics real estate firm Prologis, Inc. and the Miami-Dade County Public Schools opened the Prologis Trade and Logistics Lab at Miami Springs Senior High School this week, launching a career development program that will reach 300 students, the organizations said.

The lab simulates an operational warehouse and uses a Prologis-designed curriculum to educate high school students interested in careers in transportation and logistics, according to Prologis. Students enrolled in the program are matched with an internship following their junior year and receive a certificate of completion that will help them work in the industry straight out of high school, the company also said.

"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," Edward S. Nekritz, chief legal officer at Prologis, said in a statement announcing the partnership last year. "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."

The program is part of the Prologis Community Workforce Initiative (CWI), which aims to collaborate with local workforce programs to "provide mentorship, skills training, and internships for those interested in pursuing careers in logistics, distribution, and transportation—sectors currently experiencing a significant labor shortage," according to the company.

The Miami lab is the second to open under the CWI initiative, following the launch of a similar program in Southern California last year, Prologis said.