Overview
The Transportation and Logistics Industry Cluster is critical to the entire state of Pennsylvania’s economy as well as to the growth of other industries. The Transportation Education and Economic Network (T.E.E.N.) was formed in order to aggregate the activity of the private sector, economic and workforce development as well as education and government to create a synergy for attraction of additional business elements in the region as well as to better prepare entry-level and incumbent workers for Logistics and Transportation occupations to increase retention and enable positive movement throughout the industry’s career paths within the 17 county/ four Workforce Investment Area (WIA) region.
Recent economic studies of the region indicate that the Logistics and Transportation industry offers some of the most significant opportunities for growth and economic development within these counties in years ahead. Logistics and transportation has been designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as one of the Targeted Industry Clusters for focused workforce development strategies based upon projected labor shortages, growth potential and significance to the state’s economy. According the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis there are 1,135 employer units within the 17 county network encompassed by the T.E.E.N. partnership.
With multiple interstates and main thoroughfares crossing the 17 county region, Northwest PA is strategically located for trade and is highly competitive in the warehousing and transportation of goods and materials. Over 30% of the region’s workforce is employed in the Manufacturing industry; this strong presence necessitates the existence of opportunely located Logistics and Transportation companies to fulfill the needs of that industry.
According to the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Statistics’ Long-Term Industry Employment Projections report, 20,360 jobs are projected within the partnership’s geography over the next five years. In addition to the 1,550 new jobs that will be created in Northwest PA, new employees are also needed to replace the retiring workforce. According to the Aging Workforce Analysis, the Logistics and Transportation Industry’s workforce is predominately aged 45 and older. Without a significant increase in the number of people who choose to pursue a career in L&T, the report concludes that the area will face a worker-shortage crisis.
In order for businesses in the Logistics and Transportation Industry to remain competitive companies must constantly adopt and integrate new technologies into their already existing systems. L&T firms must implement cutting edge technology to offer increasingly effective supply chain solutions. Electronics have enhanced communication dramatically. The use of specialized equipment requires computer skills and specialized training. Shipments are tendered via electronic means including global positioning satellite systems, accident avoidance systems, fuel efficiency technologies, compliance automation and paperless logs. Government regulations on exhaust emissions and clean energy fuels such as biodiesel create even greater challenges for the industry and require the adoption and integration of these new technologies. Still, job opportunities are expected to be excellent for logistics and transportation workers over the next decade. T.E.E.N. will look to explore these opportunities and more, arming today’s workforce with the skills necessary to remain competitive in years ahead.