CCJ Innovators profiles carriers and fleets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking’s challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact CCJ Chief Editor Jason Cannon at [email protected] or 800-633-5953.
The transportation industry has long been in search of its next generation labor force, putting a lot of time and resources into Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z to replace retiring Baby Boomers.
DHL (CCJ Top 250, No. 30) has taken its efforts several steps further, setting its sights on Generation Alpha – the current generational crop whose oldest members are barely 10 years old. In a partnership with Girl Scouts of the USA, the two groups are establishing a program and branded patch to empower Girl Scouts to learn about the importance of the supply chain industry and discover a myriad of careers in the field.
DHL Supply Chain President of Transportation Jim Monkmeyer said his company is supporting the development of the curriculum by providing logistics experts and knowledge to help craft content for four activities the Girl Scouts will complete to earn the Logistics Patch.
"We have formed a core group of employees who have expertise in HR, Talent Management, Solutions Design, Engineering, Transportation and Warehouse Operations to ensure that the curriculum provides a true reflection of the world of supply chain and logistics," he said. "In 2023 and 2024, the Logistics Patch program content will be piloted in 11 cities where 300 DHL Supply Chain employee volunteers will help execute and facilitate Career Days at our sites to support Girl Scouts in earning their Logistics Patch. The program will also be piloted by local Girl Scout troops in those 11 cities prior to the National Launch of the Logistics Patch program to all Girl Scout Councils in 2025."
DHL Supply Chain is a longtime supporter of Girl Scout councils throughout the U.S, including providing local mentorship opportunities in several cities and for many years supporting Scouts with mega cookie drops and other volunteer capacities.
"This Logistics Patch takes that support to another level. What the girls do is a great example of end-to-end logistics, but they may not know of the industry or understand what career paths are available to them," Monkmeyer said. "This patch will not only get them excited about a career in logistics, but it is also setting an early path towards getting more women in the field, which is a key focus for our company."
In its partnership with the Girl Scouts, DHL Supply Chain hopes to highlight the depth of the transportation industry and the many career paths that can be had.
Earning a Logistics Patch
• Careers in the logistics industry: Allows girls the opportunity to explore how their personal interests/skills relate to many different careers available in the logistics industry.
• Mapping a Product Pathway: Girls will create a supply chain map for a Graham Cracker – an ingredient in a s’more – and develop a process flow to make s’mores, encouraging girls to think critically about how to solve supply chain issues. While the curriculum does not get into truck driving specifically, the Mapping a Product Pathway activity helps the girls to understand how items move through the supply chain, Monkmeyer said, adding the absence of truck driving-focused curriculum "highlights one of the issues we wish to tackle with this partnership – highlighting that logistics is more than just truck driving and warehouse associates," he said. "We can show the depth of the industry and the many rewarding career paths that can be had."
• Efficient Delivery Route: Girls determine the most efficient path to deliver items – for example, their annual Girl Scout cookies. They will practice different methods and use measurable tools to determine the most efficient route.
• Innovation: Girls learn about technology used in DHL’s logistics operations and are asked to brainstorm a community issue and how to solve it using technology. The girls then build a prototype of the invention/robot utilizing recyclable materials.
"Once the patch has been launched, Girl Scouts will complete all four activities associated with the curriculum to earn the Logistics Patch. These activities are normally completed by the girls on their own or through their Girl Scout troop leader," Monkmeyer said. "DHL Supply Chain will work with local troop leaders in communities where our sites are located to provide logistics experts to support these local troops with the activities."
DHL Supply Chain, North America CEO Scott Sureddin said his company seeks to build on the Scouts' aptitude for logistics and, through mentorship, "show them real examples of women and men who have built successful careers in the field.”
Sureddin added he sees the program as an extension of the company’s diversity equity inclusion and belonging efforts.
"Our robust Women in Supply Chain (WISC) Employee Resource Group will play an integral role in executing the volunteer program and partnership with local Girl Scout troops,” he added.
Prior to the national launch in 2025 to all Girl Scout troops in the U.S., DHL Supply Chain is working with Girl Scouts to pilot the curriculum at its primary campus locations. DHLSupply Chain will hold a Logistics Career Exploration Day at one of its sites in Columbus, Chicago, Fort Worth, Detroit, Harrisburg, Memphis, Indianapolis, Lehigh Valley, Northern California, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City over the next 12 months. A select number of Girl Scouts in these cities will have an opportunity to walk through the activities and provide feedback on what they learned to help further develop the program prior to it being made available to Girl Scouts across the U.S. in 2025 and beyond. The Career Days are hosted by employee volunteers and facilitators with skills in HR, Solutions Design, Transportation and Supply Chain Operations.
Full STEM ahead
Girl Scouts offers girls opportunities to explore subject areas they might not be encouraged to in school, said Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Bonnie Barczykowski, and learning all about career pathways in supply chain and logistics enables them to see the possibilities that are out there to become leaders in a field they may have never imagined.
"Programs like the DHL skills logistics and supply chain pilot will help us to invest in the future of girls who want to become tomorrow's leaders in these in-demand, STEM careers," added Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland CEO Tammy Wharton. "We are grateful for DHL’s support and proud to launch this program here so girls from across Central Ohio, and soon the rest of the US, can embrace new opportunities and lay the foundation for a better economic future."
There are currently 89 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-related Girl Scout badges, including badges for engineering, manufacturing, cyber security and app development. There is, however, only one currently available in transportation. Supported by Ryder, a supply chain patch is available to Girls Scouts of Tropical Florida. The badge seeks to help Scouts in Florida understand how the supply chain works by using the distribution of the group's roughly half-a-million boxes of Girl Scout cookies as the lesson plan.
The CCJ Innovators program is brought to you by Bendix, Comdata, Freightliner Trucks, SkyBitz and Valvoline.
