Developing a Logistics Workforce with Andy Shiles 

*Machine operated script*

Andy 0:00
accelerated training programs to help for the general workforce help prepare them for open positions, in my case, catering to the logistics technology and material movement.

Lalo 0:17
Welcome to simply trade brought to you by global Training Center. My name is Lala, and together with my co host, Andy, we have well over six years of combined trade logistics and supply chain experience. Along the way, we have seen a witness different challenges and treatment plans, we’ve decided to put the show together and call on our friends and colleagues in the business to hang out with us and share their knowledge and all things straight. Thank you for spending some time with us. Enjoy the show.

Andy 0:46
Hey, Lalo Happy Thanksgiving. This is a good time for reflection, obviously. Hopefully you’re gonna get to spend it with family and as we all have been striving to try and lose a little bit of weight do something like that is what completely destroyed on this holiday. But hey, that’s what you diet for. That’s what you’re supposed to be getting ready for. And so don’t feel guilty about enjoying the fruits of everybody’s labor at the table, right?

Lalo 1:17
No, yeah, exactly. Yeah. So aside from the obligate, the obligatory, I guess that’s obligatory turkey trot. I mean, for some reason, my son is for one analysis. My son is a triathlete. And so that kid Oh, really? Wow. Day and night. Yeah, so he Yeah, not not not an Ironman type theme, but in college he competed with his school and and he still does now now that he’s graduated. But I mean, the kid can can run and bike and swim like crazy. But anyway, so he always visits and Hey, Dad, we’re doing a turkey trot. You know, my daughter too. She’s my daughter’s a soccer player and ran cross country and did all that running and our DNS even coaches soccer now but anyway, same thing. Hey, Dad, we’re doing the turkey. So anyway, so Oh, my goodness on that. Yeah. It’s just family catch up? I guess. You know, so but, but I’m glad we’re able to do a show for today for Thanksgiving. We were I guess turning it down a little and on the guests. Yeah. And being Thanksgiving. I, I like your idea and catching up on us. I guess it’s more than anything. So Andy, people sometimes ask me, Hey, so what’s your background? You know, they listed they’re listening to us. Right? Then they’re like, Okay, so obviously, we had a guest not too long ago. That’s it. It’s obvious. You guys know what the hell you’re talking about? Or sorry. It’s obviously you guys know what the heck you’re talking about? And you know, some people may know us. I mean, a lot of people do when we’re in our what do they call it our bubble, right? Or social bubble? And icpa people obviously know us. Or, or at any other conference, ncbfaa or whatnot. But we do get listeners who are not necessarily in that bubble with us. You know, it’s like, they probably may be wondering who’s Lala and who’s Andy. But I like your idea. Let’s try to catch up on Andy today. So today’s the Andy show. Get a little bit of background and stuff on what we’re doing.

Andy 3:27
Well, I will say thanks. Lala. On that one. It’s, you know, there’s been questions a lot of times, yeah, what is your background? or what have you been doing, especially people that we’ve known you and I both know, a lot of people in the industry, import export logistics, transportation, system development, you know, just general business. I’ve had a career doing a lot of consulting, as well after I left FedEx, in operations and different things. So it’s, you know, our network has been phenomenal. And again, I think, you know, say this, you and I both to our listeners, man, are we thankful for y’all. We, you know, are we really our show is trending up, it’s good, and it’s all because of you all and spreading the word really, really appreciate that. So saying that, as far as what am I doing nowadays? I am actually I haven’t even updated my LinkedIn. I haven’t let a whole lot of folks know I guess publicly. But I am back in Memphis now. And I am leading an effort in the logistics technology sector in the Memphis and mid south area. And what we’re trying to do is help prepare the workforce. For open positions. There’s a lot of folks in the area that when they apply for something they’re deficient Have some skills or knowledge. So they’re not qualified for some of these positions. There’s a phenomenal economic growth in the Memphis area. And actually one of the biggest things is Ford has announced that they are putting a big factory here to build the F 150. Lightning. All electric rail?

Lalo 5:22
Evie, Yeah, you heard that? Yeah.

Andy 5:25
So with that, it’s also there’s going to be a lot of subsequent businesses, if you’re not working directly for Ford, there’s a lot of subsequent businesses that will be employing more people. And the existing businesses in the area are also you know, everybody’s struggling to try and find good qualified people. So there is a grant that was issued is called opportunity. Now, it used to be called good jobs, they changed the name to opportunity now, it is a federally funded grant, over 21, I believe it’s 21 and a half million. And it is specifically it’s like a three legged stool, there is construction, there’s manufacturing, and there’s logistics, technology. I’m coordinating the logistics, technology, I have two counterparts, that are handling the manufacturing and the construction piece. What we’re doing in this is as Overall it is being, if you will, controlled by a company called Workforce mid south, it is a nonprofit type company that was formed, specifically to help align with the local governments and all of that, but here’s the point, they filed for an application for an application, excuse me for a grant and have, you know, 1000s, or hundreds of applications out there, there was only a handful that were approved. And the workforce mid south one was approved. And what we are looking at is a 44. County, County area, East Arkansas, North Mississippi, and West Tennessee, from Jackson, Tennessee, all the way to the to the river every north and south there, of the Tennessee borders. Now that said,

here’s what we’re doing, we’re trying to again, develop an accelerated training program to help for the general workforce help prepare them for open positions, in my case, catering to the logistics technology and material movement industry.

So that’s a lot of stuff Lalo that I know that I’m throwing out there. But here’s the thing. What we’re striving to do is help people better their lives, to stabilize single parent family, a lot of single mothers and all that there’s going to be opportunities there for them to receive some training in certain areas. In my case, I’ve got you know, the logistics technology is a big umbrella. So we have what we call five sub sectors. And that we’ve created there’s an international piece, there is a warehouse and distribution piece, there’s transportation, there is the software development and programming for systems in the logistics arena. And then there is what’s called mechatronics, PLC, and robotics. So that’s pretty fancy. And they it’s not just entry level positions, there are people in positions now that may be interested in moving up. And so you can see they’re going to be higher payer paying tops. So saying all that let me tell you this, I am just elated with what we’re going to be doing here. The impact on this, there’s a lot of hard work. This is not just going to be talk, talk talk and nothing happens. So back to workforce, they are in this application had filed to establish at least three physical training centers in the mid south area. I know one for sure it’s going to be in Memphis, maybe two in Memphis just because of the geographics here and the population. But and in this, these will be four to 24 week type courses that somebody can come in. And depending again, construction, manufacturing or logistics areas will have a curriculum built and all that. So we’re in the process of identifying the needs. We’re not finished with phase one, which will be ending around December January timeframe, maybe February, and then we’re going to spend six months developing the curriculum for that At training employers, there’s several 100 employers that have already said, you put people through a program like this, we guarantee we will hire people. So there’s jobs waiting for you.

Lalo 10:13
And are we talking about? I guess anything from Laymon? All the way up to, like you said, like technology like like techies like like people. I mean, everything from the warehouse, forklift driver even. I mean, like, is that? Is that what you’re to? Okay, down from there? All the way up to? Okay, cool.

Andy 10:31
Yes. So let’s, let’s take it this way. Is that Yeah, especially if there if there are people that are, let’s say, currently working in a warehouse, or distribution function, but they seem to have a good aptitude for, you know, systems and making the, you know, systems work well, and the workstations and the computer systems and, and things of that nature? Well, there are, there will be courses that will help teach them in what’s called mechatronics. The Mechatronics was a new term for me, I was actually Mr. I was calling it mega tronics. And there’s a difference of mechatronics versus Mecca. Me CH is not going to

Lalo 11:13
transformers, right? Yeah, no.

Andy 11:17
So, but Mechatronics is alright, I want you to envision let’s just take for example, a an Amazon type warehouse or a Walmart warehouse, or, you know, somebody’s big, you know, huge warehouse where you’ve got, like, that is supporting e commerce. And those warehouses, you’re gonna have a lot of automation that’s put in there, sort system belts that will go through and is running, you know, even like, for example, FedEx, obviously, I have a FedEx background UPS, DHL. A lot of the carriers will have sort systems where packages are going through that conveyor belt. That goes, the it doesn’t just happen, I mean, it’s just like, there’s, it’s tied into a network and a design of a system. So as a belt package goes down the belt or something, then there’s what’s called a diverter, that may come out and say, Okay, this box is going to go down, and it’ll hit, go down a slide to go down to perpendicular type belt or something, and all that. So all these all of that, so that that package goes from wherever it started from through the source system down to its destination to say, Okay, this is now going to be packaged up and sent out the out the door. All that networking, the computer systems, the optics, the by optical equipment, the diverters, the physical things, the electric motors, the all the hydraulics, all of that is falls under the realm of mechatronics. And I will say right now, I apologize to anybody that’s in that Mechatronics industry, I’m probably not doing you a service here. But I can tell you, it is a it’s complex, but it is phenomenal is fascinating, guess what, you don’t need a college degree for all that. There are some things that you can get to become a mechatronics technician. And that’s what we’re looking at, we’re going to we’re not going to solve it world hunger here, what we’re going to do is help people better themselves out of where they’re at today into the next step up. And the mechatronics is one if you’ve got a mechanical Inkling in there, this would maybe be a great thing. So you get the mechatronics going. And then there’s what’s called PLC programming logic control. Well, okay, what is that? Think of it as a dispatcher office for all that sort system I was just telling you about, you got to control room, and you got somebody that’s in there, monitoring computer screens and monitoring, you know, there are measuring equipment or monitoring equipment that’s going on, do we have a jam in this area? Do we have something failing here is electrical motors overheating, or whatever, all of that is working. And as they’re controlling that, you have to be a mechatronics technician for a while. So you learn that then you actually have experience? Well, guess what? Now you could move into that PLC so you can see how all of this is controlled, and monitoring. And so if something goes wrong, you got to know what’s going on. And it can you can fix it from the control room, or do you dispatch somebody for repairs? So you see where we’re going on that? Yes, the training in all of that is what I’m working on right now. Yeah, so we have right now. That’s just one thing. We’re the The transportation we’re working on to increase the number of people for getting a commercial driver’s license or a CDL. And it’ll be both either a CDL a or CDL. B, which is there’s some differences there.

Lalo 15:15
We partner you’ll partner with like, like trucking schools in the area are you guys are gonna develop that yourselves are?

Andy 15:22
Good question. I will say that personally, I think that we need to maybe outsource some of that, because there’s people that already have the equipment, the trucks and the schools and stuff, however, saying that, let me just say this, I’m going to let the we’re following a methodology here. One is, what are the specific needs that we need for specific jobs. And we’re zeroing in on that there’s credentials already that people are looking for. So we can take the curriculum from that credential. And so the second phase is what is the curriculum we’re going to offer? And at that point, part of that will be not only alright, we need to teach somebody, for example, how to drive a truck. The question now is now we move into the face? How are we going to do that we’re going to take it in house and put it in that training center, are we going to outsource that or into their facility, or we’re going to outsource it to where they’ll come in to this new facility? And they teach it from there? So I can’t answer exactly how, but we definitely will be partnering with some people, right. And developing some of it ourselves and all of that this is not like who you know, trying to go for glory and who’s got the best training system, it’s going to the ultimate is we want to impact people’s lives so they can better their situation, have a stable income that’s coming in because of these open jobs, fulfill a need within the employer so that they can provide the services that they need, and thus, have an extremely positive impact to the local GDP. So it’s like, I’m, Listen, I gotta tell you what, I start getting into this. And I start, you know, I’m excited with it. As I you’ve heard me say this term, probably when I, when I get so excited with it, and I’m passionate about it. As I would say, I get giddy as affiliate in the spring morning, man. I mean, you know, you get out there you jump around, like, Come on, guys, we can do this. And I’ve just got to get through some of the processes.

Lalo 17:27
Right. So you said I guess before us just so we can let everybody get to their Thanksgiving dinner or lunch or whatever they’re going to do just so we can wrap this here pretty soon. But you said it’s a federally funded program. Does this happen to be part of that transportation bill that that that byton passed? Or the chips act? I guess they there’s two chips. Yeah. Okay. So chip sack. So it’s part of that? Yeah, yeah.

Andy 17:55
So well, there’s an effort here to try and get people back to work and more specifically trying to get folks that are, again, helping them better. There is funding for the the fees for if you want to call it tuition, that we’re going to be working with the American Job Centers, who will act as more of the frontline vetting of this and people will be able to come in and see where they’re at. We can look at it and help give them some counseling, there’s going to be the need for some life coaches. What are you doing what’s going on? Do we need to help them get up and running on like, you know, some of the welfare programs that are out there, this isn’t just a handout, folks, don’t get me wrong. What we’re trying to do is better people’s lives. But some people don’t know how to work through the bureaucracy to get them through this. There’s going to be childcare in these centers. There’s going to be transportation from at least Mata which is the Memphis Area Transit Authority has committed to not only providing bus passes for folks this so they can get there transportation is a big deal. Childcare is another one. And but mana was also make sure that there are routes that for their buses and whatnot there. In addition to that, there’s opportunities. I mean, there are employers that are just begging for this. I’m telling you, if somebody wants to better their life, I don’t care their situation. There’s opportunity here for them to help themselves help their family help the community.

Lalo 19:37
Great, great. Yeah, that sounds that sounds like a great opportunity. I mean, I I like the fact that like you said, I mean, it’s from all levels, you know, from the forklift driver all the way up to these techie people, you know that that’s, that’s amazing that and you’re just talking about the logistics part. I mean, you said there’s a couple other areas and I’m sure they have their perks as well you know, things within the manufacturing arena, the construction that that are gonna pay off. Yeah, I mean, God,

Andy 20:04
it’s gonna be phenomenal. And it’s one of these things like, you know, keep in mind the each of us have a sector Council, as we call it. So it’s it’s employ, its people that are employed by different companies and they’re coming would come together. And you know, keep in mind, some of these companies are in competition with each other. But on this particular thing, these are not competitors. These are people from the mid south that are looking and committed to making a difference. So let me just say this, it’s like, when is this all happening? Like, say phase one, it’s a three phase deal. Phase one is coming to an end, at the end of the year to possibly in January, phase two, we develop the curriculum, figure out how we’re going to do this, who’s going to do it, where it’s going to be, how it’s going to be funded, all those kinds of things. And then the third flip phase will be implementation. Now, here’s something that is really important. There are 1000s of high school kids in the mid south area, Memphis, and Shelby County are one of the largest areas and then when I say Shelby County, I’m not just saying Shelby County Schools, there’s also in our area, we have Bartlett, Germantown, Arlington, just Collierville, just all kinds of school systems around and subsequent towns, the whole Shelby County in that area we have in West Tennessee, several school systems, North Mississippi, so Arkansas, and the thing is, not everybody really wants to go to college, not everybody may be able to afford it, this is gonna be an area where guess what, this is a great stepping stone to a bigger career. But you got to get in there. And we’re talking about people coming out of high school stepping into jobs, you know, 1820 bucks an hour, as well as moving on up the chain. So you can see where I’m talking to him, right? People want to change their careers or stuck in something they want to do, this is going to be a way that we’re going to be able to help them. So I’m excited. And that starts July. We’ll do the implementation July of 2023. So just really a few months down the road here. It’s

Lalo 22:10
coming down. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Next thing you know. Yeah. Cool. Well, it was nice catching up, Andy. I mean, I don’t know any, any last words, I guess before we wrap up and let everybody go enjoy their their pumpkin pie or something?

Andy 22:23
Well, if anybody’s interested, you can reach out to us, I’ll make sure that we have a link to the appropriate websites here and my contact information if you want. This is not something where I’m trying to promote me as anything, I’m coordinating an effort. But there are some things I need some more employers to help out. I don’t care if it’s construction, manufacturing or logistics, I’ll get you to the right parties in whatever you’re interested in, or if you’re just interested in what’s going on. But I can assure you Lalo This is one of those that thankful for having an opportunity to make an impact in this area. I’m also looking forward to us. Yes, I’ve stepped into this, we may be looking at doing some more shows on other workforce development efforts around the country. I think, obviously, I’m sensitive to the logistics. And just because that’s what you and I are directed so much. But man, I tell you what all of this one leads to another and we win or lose as a team in these areas. And so this is not where one area excels. And the others fall behind. We got to help out one way or the other. So I’m so thankful again, for you, you have been a phenomenal, not only co host but producer buddy, I tell you what our show would not survive without the hard work that you have done. And so I am so humbled that you’ve even asked me to join you on this

Lalo 23:53
for him, but you and I have been talking about this for a while. So this is great. Well, I’m glad we got to catch up. I mean, I know people ask, Well, Andy, what are you doing now? You know, because I mean, you do you do go under the radar on some top secret.

Andy 24:09
Yeah, there’s been some contracts I could, I could talk about it.

Lalo 24:13
Exactly. So we’re just like hey, where’s Andy? It seems to round so I’m glad Yeah, I’m glad now you’re in the public sector which which everybody will definitely find out and well everyone thank you all for listening in. We wanted to kind of just tone it down a little here and do some catch up. We’ll maybe we’ll do an episode on meaning here one day to where I came from, but

Andy 24:36
Well, I gotta tell you what, you well now it’s I gotta tell you what I’m looking forward to interviewing you on global Training Center with you and Elsa have put together and what’s your well not only put together what your your company’s been great. So folks, I’m gonna tell you seriously. They’ve got a great story to tell. And today, I guess we need to let everybody You better get in line because the food is being served. Right? Yeah, exactly.

Lalo 25:05
All right, well, let’s go catch some football and, and some food. So thank you, Andy, you enjoy your time with your family and, and we’ll we’ll be back next week with another episode with someone else on the show.

Andy 25:18
All right, sounds great, folks. Thank you and God bless from simply trade.

Lalo 25:23
Yes, thank you.