Throughout this first nine weeks of school for the 2020-21 academic year, Beaver County Career & Technology students have been attending their elected programs online, regardless if they are a new or returning student. Students, parents, and other educators have all asked, “How are you going to teach career and technical education virtually?” Thankfully, here at BCCTC, our teachers, professionals from their own respective industries, are creative and have come up with some incredible ways for their students to get engaged with this new learning platform.
Our ‘Featured Teacher’ today is Mr. Chris Graham, Logistics & Materials Management Instructor and DECA Advisor. Mr. Graham is working a couple of different curriculum’s depending on his student’s grade level.
- First year students are working on warehousing and transportation theory material. This would be the fundamentals of the trade.
- Second year students are working on warehousing and distribution theory material. They are also working on obtaining their first industry credential, so they are underway with the OSHA 10 General Industry Certification process. The term ‘General Industry’, according to OSHA.gov, refers to all industries not included in agriculture, construction or maritime.
- Third year students are working on ‘3PL’ which refers to a third party warehouse that distributes products for companies who do not have the capability to perform the distributive process. Companies like NFI (located in New Galilee, PA), UPS Supply Chain Solutions, J.B. Hunt and U.S. Xpress are examples of ‘3PL’ companies. You might see their trucks when out and about.
What else are students covering in the Logistics program?
- Warehousing and distribution and its importance relating to Manufacturing Support
- The importance of the ‘supply chain’, sourcing of materials and how it links together in the current world economy
- How the ‘supply chain’ is currently being restructured for the betterment here in the United States
- The jobs in distribution centers today that are growing by leaps and bounds that include –
- Blue Collar Type: Package Handlers & Forklift Operators
- White Collar Type: Management positions (typically hired from within the organization) with hands-on experience
- Gold Collar Type: Employees with an IT background combined with a warehousing and distributive background help to maintain the automated equipment
Mr. Graham says, “Each and every person benefits from logistics, warehousing and distribution, but most people do not know what it is and what it all entails. Most people just see packages arriving at their residence after placing an order online. From the groceries in your pantry to any products available to us all, at any given retail store, the products we all purchase have traveled on a plane, ship, train or truck for our consumption or use. Where would we be if we didn’t have the Logistics Industry in our everyday life?” Great question, Mr. Graham!
Plans are in the works for the students to go on virtual tours to actually see how distribution centers work. They may view:
- Meijer Distribution Center that is fully automated
- Best Buy Regional Distribution Center because of brand recognition
- FedEx World Hub that has their own airport attached to this facility
Logistic students, Mr. Graham knows you are missing the hands-on portion of the program but he’s looking forward to having you back in class so that he can teach you how to operate the forklift, use the vertical carousel, properly secure a package for shipment and safely operate the cardboard bailer used for recycling purposes. We all hope to see you soon, as all of you are missed!