Logistics

• To be the port of choice for shipping goods globally
• To be a hub for warehousing and distribution
• To provide unique logistics services for strategic industries

The result of Georgia's effort to meet these goals is impressive. Recently, CNBC ranked Georgia's transportation network third in the nation. This network makes  the state the destination of choice for those shipping goods globally via sea and air. The Port of Brunswick is ranked number six in the U.S. for shipments of automobiles and the Port of Savannah is America's fourth-largest container seaport, which has expanded at a rate of 16 percent per year so far this decade. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of three airports to rank top 10 for both air freight and passengers. Within the state, our excellent network of 20,000 miles of state and federal roads and 4,700 miles of railroads has created a hub for 118 million square feet of warehousing and distribution space. Cargo and freight logistics and distribution continue to grow and the industries' needs for a skilled workforce are on the rise. In addition, our growth in other strategic industries, such as bioscience and advanced manufacturing, means that our logistics industry must continue to grow to serve their unique needs. 

Through Georgia Work Ready, our state's workforce is ready to take on these most important jobs to support the state's plan to grow its logistics and supply chain industry and continue to improve its transportation network and support industries. For the logistics and supply chain industry, our educational institutions graduate students prepared with skills in supply chain management, security and technology with an understanding that time, accuracy, productivity and safety are crucial to Georgia's customers. And, our state continues to fill the demands of the transportation industry as it is crucial to the support of the supply chain side of the logistics industry cluster. One high demand occupation in the transportation industry is commercial licensed drivers. By linking education and workforce together through Work Ready, our state ensures our workforce has the skills and knowledge to be successfully trained to fill any logistics jobs. 

In fact, one out of every 10 jobs in the state of Georgia is related to the logistics industry and one of every five non-farming jobs in Georgia is logistics-related. Wages for logistics jobs in Georgia rank in the top eight of the entire nation and pay an average annual salary of $40,000.

Additionally, Georgia's Center of Innovation for Logistics (COI) connects problem holders to problem solvers by forging relationships between business pioneers, technology innovators, university researchers, and state and federal leaders. It also provides a look at the state's assets for this growing industry. The COI for Logistics' 2009 Georgia Annual Logistics Report shows that more than 120,000 are employed by logistics provider companies; those rendering logistics services. These workers and their employers in Georgia's logistics industry produce a total output that accounts for 5 percent of the state's gross domestic product. The report also found that, statewide, direct labor income from logistics providers was $4.2 billion (2007 dollars) and a total labor income impact of $6.6 billion. 

Economic and Workforce Outlook

The Selig Center for Economic Growth at the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, publishes an annual Economic Outlook. The 2009 edition has been released and includes an economic and workforce forecast for Georgia's transportation industry (download document). The summary predicts small increases over the next year; however, Georgia's ports continue to see superb performance and increase in market share which should keep this sector growing moderately this year.

Above are the occupations needed for a warehousing and distribution facility and the number of people graduating from a relevant program in Georgia.

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Education and Training

The state is home to 22 public colleges and universities, 32 private four-year colleges, two community colleges and 33 technical colleges. Some logistics education highlights include the Supply Chain and Logistics Institue at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Logistics and Intermodal Transportation program of study at Georgia Southern University and the Warehousing and Distribution Certificate programs available at all state technical colleges. To find the right one, Georgians can take advantage of Georgia College 411 to explore logistics careers, select a college, prepare for the SAT and ACT, plan high school courses and learn about financial aid. Georgia's HOPE Program provides scholarships and grants that reward students with financial assistance in degree, diploma and certificate programs at eligible state public and private colleges and universities, and public technical colleges.

Georgia's colleges and universities also provide continuing education and Work Ready assessments that ensure students are ready for the flexible, customized training provided to new and expanding Georgia employers through Quick Start, the state's nationally recognized job training program, and the Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAAP), an economic development program of the University System of Georgia that brings together education and business. In fact, the state's technical colleges have helped 21 percent of the state's workforce attain gold-level Work Ready Certificates.

Georgia Logistics Work Ready Regions

One region in the state has gone even further by becoming a Work Ready Region, multiple counties that are bringing together their assets and leaders to create regional talent pools targeting logistics to increase economic development opportunities.

The state's logistics Work Ready Region includes:

East Central Georgia Logistics Work Ready Region

(Bryan, Bulloch, Candler, Emanuel and Liberty Counties)

Supply Chain Management  Crescent Work Ready Region

(Barrow, Clarke, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorope and Walton Counties)

More detailed information about Georgia's logistics assets, workforce strengths, education and training, and community partnerships are contained within the site. This is valuable information for those companies seeking to expand or relocate their operations to the state.