The first group of students has successfully completed Prologis’ Community Workforce Initiative (CWI) partnership with Los Angeles-based nonprofit EXP.

On Aug. 2, 153 graduates were honored in Long Beach for completing the EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis, an 11-month program designed to give them the necessary skills for careers in logistics.

“Many of our logistics customers are facing a serious hiring gap,” said Ed Nekritz, Prologis chief legal officer and CWI executive sponsor. “This collaboration is preparing a skilled workforce to help ease customers’ pain points around labor as the logistics industry continues to expand.”

The students participated in job-readiness workshops, including a mock interview day. The program culminated in a six-week internship sponsored by 71 area employers, including Prologis customers Blu Logistics, NFI/California Cartage, Marathon Petroleum (Tesoro), Nova Freight – Carson, Top Value Fabrics, Westcoast Warehousing LLC, Yusen Logistics and Yusen Terminals LLC.

Added Nekritz, “By partnering with organizations like EXP and encouraging young people to pursue meaningful career paths in the high-growth logistics industry, we believe we can make a positive impact on our customers and help local communities thrive.”

CWI has since launched in Chicago and Miami and over time will be a global initiative.

Learn more about the program and see the students in action in this video.