Jobs in Warehousing and Distribution

By Ronaldo Vega

With each new generation, the Latino population – that is, Americans of Hispanic decent – integrate deeper into American society.  Essential to the social and economic growth of this community is the ability to find abundant and gainful employment.

A study done by the Center for Economic and Policy Research titled “Hispanic Workers in the United States” estimate that there are about 24 million Hispanic workers in the US.  The most common industries for Hispanic women are restaurant and food services, followed by elementary and secondary schools and hospitals.  Men have the highest concentration of workers in the construction industry, followed by restaurants and landscaping.

Young Latino workers tend to concentrate in these industries because their parents passed down the knowledge and skills required for success in these jobs.  But a growing number of workers no longer find these industries satisfying, and look to branch out in to new modern occupations.

Warehousing and distribution - the movement of goods and products from manufacturer to consumer - offers a great alternative.  Jobs in warehousing and distribution are ideal for the young, hard-working Latino workforce, as it is for individuals of all races, sexes and backgrounds.  The industry offers many benefits, including:

·       On the job training in skills such as operating forklifts, Driving trucks, and Inventory Control

·       Independence: a way to get out from under the scrutiny and supervision of superiors

·       Progressive pay: companies offer performance-based pay, allowing workers to earn higher salaries based on how well they perform

·       Health insurance and retirement programs

The list goes on and on.  But for many workers, not having to work in a hot kitchen or outside in the elements like rain and a scorching-hot sun are benefits enough.

Warehousing and distribution has been around as long as the hotel and restaurant industries.  But jobs in these industries were believed to be inaccessible, due to barriers such as language, skills and education.  These views are largely untrue.  Language is no longer a major barrier, since many warehouses have bi-lingual managers and coworkers.  Education and skills are often given for free, through on-the-job training programs and subsidized continuing education.

The warehousing industry has evolved with the times - and now, more women are joining the workforce in warehouses across America.  Positions as Forklift Operators, Order Selectors (Pickers), and Inventory Control specialists are increasingly being filled by women in the workforce.  Many women find warehousing jobs satisfying and fulfilling, and their contribution is helping fill the increasing demand for skilled warehouse labor.

The physical demands of warehousing jobs - once seen as a limiting factor to making the transition – does not exclude driven and motivated individuals.  It is true that warehousing jobs are physically demanding – and they do require a fit workforce.  But they do not demand any more physical exertion than a typical 12-hour shift at a restaurant – where workers are required to stand on their feet, lifting heavy loads, bending and reaching for hours on-end. 

Upward mobility is a subtle, less emphasized benefit of warehousing jobs - where exposure to, and contact with white-collar jobs provide advancement opportunities to individuals in warehouses.  In modern warehouses, workers are now exposed to new technologies that make receiving product, accounting for inventory, and shipping orders more accurate and efficient.  Technology in warehousing has help close the gap in warehouse jobs from traditional labor, to jobs requiring skilled labor.  The skills picked up but this transformation has created an entry-point into more professional jobs like in IT, logistics and transportation.  Additionally, opportunities in sales, procurement, and accounting are more accessible to those already with a foothold in a company’s warehouse, rather than having to apply from outside.

By far, the industry that offers the best opportunity for growth is the trucking industry.  In the United States, there is a deficit of over 55,000 trucking jobs.  The peak was in 2018, when demand for trucking jobs reach an all-time high of approximately 60,800 jobs, up 10,000 from the prior year, but down in 2019. 

The deficit has created opportunities for individuals looking for independence and an adventurous lifestyle.  The trucking industry offers freedom, advancement, and financial prospects unlike any other industry.  With emerging technologies like Uber Freight, Truck Drivers now have the freedom of setting their own schedule and determining their own pay.  Drivers in the food service and grocery industries, will interact with customers while making deliveries.  That may be viewed both as a benefit or a burden – depending on the individual’s perspective.

For individuals wanting to become a Truck Driver, a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is beneficial, but not necessarily required.  Many companies need Drivers to drive smaller delivery trucks, requiring nothing more than a common Class-C driver’s license.  To learn how to drive a tractor trailer, there are many truck-driving schools that offer classes on how to obtain a CDL license.  In addition, many companies today also offer employment packages that include instructional classes, tuition reimbursement and assistance in getting a CDL license.  Candidates for these jobs must be committed because they must pass both a written and road test.  But once obtained, the door is open to many rewarding opportunities.

It is worth acknowledging that the trucking lifestyle is not for everyone.  You must be industrious, creative, flexible, hardworking, and willing to travel long distances and sleep in a truck for possibly days and weeks on end.  Nor should warehouse jobs be taking lightly.  But the benefits are not to be ignored.  Traditional jobs in restaurants, construction and landscaping will continue to be good options for individuals looking to join America’s workforce.  But for those that seek independence and freedom, and possess a spirit of adventure, warehouse and trucking jobs offer much potential.