CASE STUDY

Apprenticeship Program

 The Logistics industry is growing at a rapid pace.  This growth has fueled an increasing need for skilled material handlers, resulting in a shortage of  qualified candidates.  While technical and vocational schools in the area provide quality education, people looking for a vocation or career track in skilled material handling and logistics cannot find the education required for this specialized field. 

The lack of qualified candidates, coupled with sparse educational opportunities, lead HTI Logistics Services to take action.  In the summer of 2007, HTI created the Apprenticeship Program.  Instead of relying on recruiting from external sources, they realized that they should start growing their own skilled handlers, internally.  In addition to creating their own skilled workforce, HTI was able fulfill a responsibility to the community by offering skills training not to be found elsewhere. 

The Apprenticeship Program is designed for job seekers who lack the skills to work in the industry initially, but hold potential for the future.  Through their specialized selection process, HTI is able to identify the candidates with the best skill sets for material handling and logistics.   Each candidate then undergos a minimum of 80 hours of on the job training (OJT).  As a candidate’s skill sets increase, and their role within the industry grows more customized, they are compensated appropriately. 

By mid-2008, HTI Logistics Services anticipates 10%-15% of their workforce will be comprised of Apprenticeship Program participants, all of which should graduate by year-end.  Since the program is still in its infancy, HTI has plans to continually expand and improve this training system as well as formalize their curriculum.   

HTI Logistics Services – Improving What’s Moving