NEWS RELEASE
Immediate Release
Media Contact: Binoli Dua
bdua@anthologycommunications.net
202.630.4043
Delivering the TDL Workforce Initiative Launches with 10 Regional Partnership
Grants
The new Walmart-funded initiative expands training for middle-skill transportation,
distribution and logistics jobs
Boston, MA -- Jobs for the Future (JFF) today announced the recipients of the Delivering the
TDL Workforce initiative grants, which will increase access to middle-skill jobs in the
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics (TDL) sectors. The project will strengthen and expand
training in 10 regions for careers in automotive repair and maintenance, commercial truck
driving, logistics and warehouse management, and others.
Funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the Walmart Foundation, the grantees are located in
Baltimore, Maryland; Central Pennsylvania; Des Moines, Iowa; Greensboro, North Carolina;
Jackson, Mississippi; Jersey City, New Jersey; Long Beach, California; Newark, New Jersey;
Seattle, Washington; and the Tampa Bay region. Each region has been awarded $220,000 to
train 300 individuals over the next 2 years and provide them with support and job placement
services. The projects will connect underrepresented populations to the industry, with each site
committing to serve at least 25 percent female participants.
The 10 workforce partnerships include strong participation from TDL businesses in both design
and implementation, to ensure that individuals complete programs with skills and certifications
that are in-demand in their regional labor market. Workers will earn industry-recognized
credentials such as a Commercial Driver’s License and Global Logistics Associate certificate,
and many will also earn college credits that lead toward Associate’s degrees in TDL.
“Jobs for the Future is excited to be a part of the Walmart Foundation’s new Career
Opportunities strategy. Our work with 10 regional labor markets will help prepare workers for
family-supporting jobs in the TDL sector,” said Maria Flynn, senior vice president at JFF.
“These investments will promote diversity in the TDL workforce by designing recruitment and
retention strategies to help more women move into these in-demand jobs that are critical to our
nation’s infrastructure."
JFF will bring together grantees for peer learning opportunities and will provide assistance to
facilitate the adoption of successful strategies and best practices being used around the
country. JFF’s technical assistance to programs to recruit and place women in TDL will include
an expanded version of the Pink to Green toolkit (http://www.jff.org/pinktogreen). Delivering the
TDL Workforce will also leverage the work of the National Fund for Workforce Solutions
(http://nfwsolutions.org) to deliver employer-driven sector training programs.
About the Grantees:
The Jersey City Employment and Training Program TDL Training (JCETP-TDL) is one of the
local workforce partners in North New Jersey. JCETP-TDL will work to increase the skills,
capacity, and readiness of area workers to meet employer needs in Supply Chain Management
and Logistics.
"This is an exciting opportunity for Jersey City Employment and Training and our partners to
expand training for our residents in our growing transportation, distribution, and logistics sector,"
said Mayor Steven Fulop of Jersey City. "The program will offer residents valuable job skills and
certifications that will lead to permanent employment."
Similarly, the Long Beach TDL Workforce program is leveraging its existing platform to meet the
challenges of a changing regulatory landscape while supporting area residents in entering the
Advanced Transportation pathways crucial to the local economy. The program is investing in
training that addresses the local clean air policy and delivers skilled workers versed in new
technology.
“Transportation and logistics are major industries in our city and vital to the economic strength of
our region and nation. By partnering with Jobs for the Future, Long Beach City College (LBCC)
will be able to prepare our local workforce for well-paying careers in these industries,” said
LBCC Superintendent-President Eloy Ortiz Oakley.
In Central Iowa, the Central Iowa Works TDL Academy is working to close the middle-skills gap
along America’s transportation corridors, providing opportunities for area residents to succeed in
family-supporting careers in demand from local employers. The local region is greatly impacted
by the transportation and logistics industry, and the TDL Academy will concentrate on
commercial truck driving and logistics support trainings.
"Central Iowa Works is very pleased and excited to receive funding from the Walmart
Foundation to launch the TDL Workforce initiative, said Pat Steele, Central Iowa Works site
director. “Working with our employers, community partners and Des Moines Area Community
College, we can better meet the needs of employers to hire skilled workers and jobseekers to
obtain well-paying jobs."
Elisabeth Buck, Chief Community Impact Officer for United Way of Central Iowa, agrees: “The
TDL workforce initiative will train and upskill workers to meet employer demand in this critical
employment sector. It will help more workers increase their income so they and their families
can become more financially stable. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Participating local partners include:
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Baltimore, Maryland: Cecil College, Maryland New Directions, Baltimore Workforce
Funders Collaborative, EARN Maryland within the Maryland Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulation, UPS, Herr’s Food Inc, Performance Food Group, Burris
Logistics Inc, Premium Logistics North America, C. Steinweg, Ruckert Terminals
Corporation, Ports America Chesapeake, and the Maryland Port Administration
Central Pennsylvania: Central PA Works, Northampton County Community College,
Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board, South Central Workforce Investment
Board, Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc., Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce
Investment Board, Inc., and the Manufacturers’ Association of South Central PA
Des Moines, Iowa: Central Iowa Works TDL Academy, Des Moines Area Community
College, and the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families
Greensboro, North Carolina: Triad Workforce Solutions Collaborative, North Carolina
Center for Global Logistics, Greensboro/High Point/Guilford County Workforce
Development Board, and Degrees Matter!
Jackson, Mississippi: Mississippi Delta Workforce Funding Collaborative, Hinds
County Community College, and KLLM Transport Services LLC
Jersey City, New Jersey: Jersey City Employment and Training Program, Hudson
County Workforce Investment Board, and New Jersey City University
Long Beach, California: Long Beach City College and the Harbor Trucking Association
Newark, New Jersey: CareerWorks: Greater Newark Workforce Funders Collaborative,
New Community Corporation, and the Sansone Auto Mall
Seattle, Washington: SkillUp Washington, Port Jobs, Center of Excellence for Global
Trade and Supply Chain Management, South Seattle College, Seattle Goodwill, and the
Seattle Jobs Initiative
Tampa Bay region, Florida: CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, PGT Industries, KHS
USA, Beall’s Inc., Monin Gourmet Flavorings, Inc, Tropicana Bradenton, St. Petersburg
College, State College of Florida, Suncoast Technical College, Port of Manatee, and the
Manatee Technical Institute
About Jobs for the Future
Jobs for the Future works to ensure that all underprepared young people and workers have the
skills and credentials needed to succeed in our economy by creating solutions that catalyze
change in our education and workforce delivery systems. Working with our partners, JFF
designs and drives the adoption of innovative and scalable education and career training
models and systems that lead from college readiness to career advancement. We also develop
and advocate for the federal and state policies needed to support these solutions.