Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

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 TERM
Automotive Maintenance & Technology
Automotive Service and Specialty Technicians , Master Mechanics
Postsecondary Certificate
$22.36
4%
1,033
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

TDL Pathway Progressions