Logistic companies partner with UTC to develop workforce
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A new program at the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga aims to connect students with that fast-growing industry in the Chattanooga area.
UTC held an open house for their Freight Broker Professional Program Thursday evening.
Local logistics companies, such as BlueGrace Logistics, believe this program will create a pipeline for our local economy.
Michael Beckwith, the Branch Manager for BlueGrace Logistics and an instructor for the Freight Broker Professional Program said, “[We’re] trying to get to the multibillion-dollar mark and be a major player in the market.
BlueGrace is one of a dozen logistics companies who believes that UTC’s program is a key to the future success of the freight brokerage industry here in Chattanooga.
The work floor of BlueGrace Logistics in Chattanooga
Freight brokers specialize in connecting truck drivers with unassigned freight to help get that transported.
Chattanooga has become a hub for that industry.
Beckwith said, “Per capita, Chattanooga rivals with Chicago in terms of the amount of people that work in transportation and logistics. It’s actually one of the top five industries you can get into in the area.”
The program offers evening classes designed to teach students various concepts in the logistics industry.
A program alum and now sales executive at BlueGrace, Zach Cambron said, “Knowing all of the industry specifics and even the history of freight, of the freight broking world helps me be able to talk to customers, and then there was the hard skillset of prospecting and cold calling that we got a lot of practice on, so walking in here, it was like I’ve already done it.”
For students in the freight brokerage program, they say there is more to be learned than the pure technical skills of the logistics industry.
Another former program alum turned BlueGrace sales executive, Anthony DiFilippo said, “One thing that I guess that stands out the most would be the emotional intelligence aspect of the program. We’ve learned many things, there’s so many things to learn, but the emotional intelligence part of the program applies to your everyday life and your career.”
The alums of the program hope others hop into the emerging industry.
DiFilippo said, “Why not choose the program? Again, it’s an open opportunity and we don’t have many of those in today’s life.”
You do not have to be a student to be a part of this program.
UTC has more information about the program on their website.
