The Center for a Competitive Workforce (CCW) hosted a virtual Regional Program Advisory Meeting on the future of Global Trade and Logistics workforce needs on Friday, October 15, 2021, in partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Directors of Employer Engagement and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).
Key Data Points Presented by LAEDC’s Institute of Applied Economics, LAEDC
- Over 333,000 payroll jobs existed in the trade and logistics industry in LA County in 2020 representing more than 9% of 3.6 million payroll jobs across all industries.
- Majority of jobs in the industry exists within the wholesale trade industry accounting for well over half 69% of all jobs followed by support activities for transportation with 15% and air transportation and truck transportation both with about 10% of employment each.
- The average annual wage in the trade and logistics industry in Los Angeles County reached close to $75,000 in 2020. Average annual wages range across the different component industries from just under $55,000 in truck transportation to just under $109,000 in air transportation in 2020
- After the dip in jobs because of COVID-19, the industry is forecasted to resume growth over the next five years as industry works their way through many of these global supply chain issues reaching just over 361,000 jobs in 2025.
Key Community College Talent Supply Data Points Presented by Center of Excellence (COE)
- On the supply side (educational side) there are two primary programs training students for roles in transportation that are involved in supply chain (not exhaustive as there are other programs in business management and administration):
- International Business and Trade (TOP 0508.00)
- Logistics and Materials Transportation (TOP 0510.00)
- There were just under 3000 enrollments between the two programs in the most recent year data was available which is 2018-2019.
- The three-year award average was just over 160 awards issued between the two programs.
- Variety of awards offered from 11 out of the 19 community colleges for international business and trade which include: Cerritos, ELAC, Glendale, LA City, LA Harbor, LA Pierce, Long Beach, Mt. SAC, Pasadena, Rio Hondo, and Santa Monica).
- Employment outcome metrics of students from international business programs:
- 1/3 of student’s report working in field their field of study (self-reported data)
- Median Annual earnings of said students was just over $35,000 as they started their career.
- LA Logistics and Materials programs offered at 5 out of the 19 community colleges which includes: ELAC, Rio Hondo, Santa Monica, Mt. SAC, LA Harbor.
- Employment outcomes for students coming out of logistics and materials programs was just over 40,000 as well as 73% (2016-2017 data) of students working in their field.
Speakers / Employers at the event:
- Avin Sharma, Director of Labor Relations & Workforce Development, Port of Los Angeles
- Amber Meshack, Director, Business, Jobs & Social Responsibility Division, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA)
- Christian Gonzalez, Human Resources Supervisor, United Parcel Service (UPS)
- Dan Monnier, LCB, Branch Manager, C.H. Powell Company and Treasurer, Los Angeles Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (LACBFFA)
- Gabriel Shweiri, President and CEO, BGI Worldwide Logistics
- Matt Schrap, Chief Executive Officer, Harbor Trucking Association
- Nancy Tovar Huxen, Strategic Communications Manager, Corporate and Public Affairs Division, The Aerospace Company
- Grace Hwang, Campus Talent Acquisition, American Airlines
Perspectives:
How would you describe your industry as a whole with regard to workforce trends, and particularly with COVID-19?
- COVID-19 along with social unrest has seen a push for diversity equity and inclusion.
- Having issues finding local talent to fill positions, but technology has become the driving force in ability to utilize a remote workforce.
- There have been hiring freezes that continue to affect the workforce.
What are the core competencies, including software, that students need to enter the global trade and logistics industry?
- Hard skills
- CRM Usage
- Data Input
- Warehouse Management
- Soft skills
- Customs Knowledge
- Customer Service
- Email etiquette
- Software:
- Cargo Wise (www.cargowise.com)
- Blu Jay Solutions (www.blujaysolutions.com
- Microsoft Suite 365
How do students get their foot in the door and land an entry-level job?
- Internships
- Up-trainings for new entry-level positions.
For questions, please contact Isabel Duran, Isabel.duran@laedc.org . To view the Global Trade and Logistics community college look book, click here.
To view the recently released Careers in Global Trade and Logistics report, supported by the California Community Colleges, click here.
The Center for a Competitive Workforce is funded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office under the Strong Workforce Program (SWP) as a Los Angeles Regional Project.
