Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Sector Analysis

TDL Sector Overview

Key takeaways from the landscape analysis for the transportation, distribution, and logistics sector in the Chicagoland area:

Most High Priority Occupations in Chicago’s TDL sector do not require postsecondary credentials or degrees but do require significant on-the-job training to be promoted to supervisory roles.
Some roles have niche certificate requirements (for example, heavy truck driver, auto mechanic).
Many roles are lagging in the living wage category but have skills that could reasonably be useful in attaining higher wage roles (e.g., auto mechanics can build on the skill sets to become higher-earning diesel bus/truck mechanics, and light truck drivers or forklift operators can build to the higher-earning roles as heavy truck driver or bus driver).

Overview of Private Training Landscape

Based on Chicagoland CareerPathways, the private training landscape is limited:

City Colleges of Chicago has some redundancy on CareerPathways.net for entry CDL and auto mechanic credentials, but likely more for-profit competitors exist beyond the database.
Some youth WIOA and training programs lead to a forklift operator credential, but the trajectory beyond that initial job placement is uncertain.

Recommended Improvement Strategies

Based on the landscape analysis, the EdSystems team proposes the following strategies to both prepare residents for living wage roles in the TDL sector and meet labor market demands:

Develop career pathway support programs for individuals earning a CDL for related roles, such as construction equipment operator, highway maintenance technician, or tractor-trailer technician.
Maximize incumbent worker training opportunities for individuals with CDL to advance into supervisory and other related roles.

TDL Priority Occupation and Promising Credential Areas

MIDDLE-SKILL CREDENTIAL AREA	OCCUPATIONS	TYPICAL ENTRY EDUCATION	CHICAGOLAND WAGE $/HR	CHICAGOLAND PROJECTED GROWTH (10 YR.)	ANNUAL CHICAGOLAND JOB OPENINGS
Automotive Maintenance & Technology	Automotive Service and Specialty Technicians , Master Mechanics	Postsecondary Certificate	$22.36	4%	1,033
Automotive Maintenance & Technology	Automotive Body and Related Repairers	High School Diploma	$20.75	2.1%	256
Diesel Technology	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	High School Diploma	$28.71	7.7%	392
Supply Chain	Industrial Truck and Tractor Drivers	High School Diploma	$17.39	3.5%	3,572
	Production, Planning and Expediting Clerks	High School Diploma	$23.01	2.1%	1,691
	First-Line Supervisor of Helpers, Laborers, & Material Movers	High School Diploma	$28.00	11%	602
	First-Line Supervisors of Transportation & Material Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators	High School Diploma	$28.00	6%	263
Commercial Driver	Light Truck Drivers	High School Diploma	$21.56	8.8%	2,320
	Bus Drivers – Transit & Intercity	High School Diploma	$31.27	3.1%	512
	Heavy & Tractor Trailer Truck Drivers	Postsecondary Certificate	$24.68	6.4%	3,210