Life on the open road. Driving around Virginia, the East Coast – even the entire span of the country. People are buying things online and those products have to get from Point A to Point B somehow.
FastForward has a whole series of Logistics and Transportation credentials that give you essential skills in everything from paving and construction site management to commercial driving and remote pilot (drone) operation.
What is the Logistics and Transportation industry?
The big rigs may get all the attention, but it takes more than a truck to move products around the country. Logistics and Transportation jobs help ensure a smooth, effective and accurate delivery process from start to finish.
That process starts with the packaging and storage of products and ends with packing the goods in a container and transporting them where they need to go.
Careers in this industry also help to ensure the vehicles and roads are properly maintained and are safe.
What jobs can I get, and how much can I make?
Here’s a select list of jobs you can get in the Logistics and Transportation field. Salary information listed is the average annual salary according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- CDL Driver ($42,662)
- Construction Site Manager ($109,980)
- Electrical Service Technician, Commercial/Industrial ($61,440)
- Automotive Service Technician ($53,060)
- Power Plant Operators ($62,360)
- Paving Operator ($34,170)
This is just a small sampling of careers you can pursue in Logistics and Transportation.
What kind of training is available?
FastForward has many trainings under its Logistics and Transportation belt. While our CDL program is available at most colleges, some colleges offer more specific trainings to meet the demands of those communities.
Here is a sampling of credentials we help train our students for:
- Commercial Driver’s License (Class A and Class B)
- Remote Pilot Airman
- Certified Logistics Associate
- Certified Logistics Technician
- Site Manager
- Heavy Equipment Operations (Level 1 and Level 2)
- Surface Treatment
- VDOT Asphalt Plant (Level 1 and Level 2)
- VDOT Asphalt Field (Level 1 and Level 2)
- Slurry Seal
- Work Zone Flagger
- Engine Repair (2-Stroke and 4-Stroke)
- Compact Diesel Engine Certification
- Driveline/Hydraulics Certification
- Electrical Systems Certification
Additionally, there are several trainings specifically for inspectors, including roadway construction and drainage, documentation and record keeping, plan reading and more.
Is there more information about the Logistics & Transportation field, and the people who make it their career?
Here are a handful of stories that highlight the field, including success stories from our own program.
- “Just 6 percent of America’s truck drivers are women—here’s what it’s like” (CNBC)
- “Skilled Workforce Drought Continues to Plague Construction” (GlobeSt.com)
- “Earning Your CDL Through FastForward” (YouTube)
- “Virginia construction companies can’t find enough workers” (The Dogwood)
- “Heavy Lifting, Wonderful Benefits” (FastForwardVA.org)
Not all trainings are offered at every college, and they change based on the workforce in each region. The best way to find out if a training is offered near you is to contact your local FastForward Career Coach.