The transportation industry is facing a significant labor shortage as Baby Boomers begin to retire. To address this challenge, DHL is looking to the next generation of workers – Generation Alpha. In an exciting partnership with the Girl Scouts of the USA, DHL is launching a program and exclusive patch to introduce girls to the world of supply chain and the wide range of careers it offers.
DHL Supply Chain President of Transportation, Jim Monkmeyer, explains that his company is actively involved in developing the curriculum for this initiative. They will be providing logistics experts and knowledge to create four engaging activities that the Girl Scouts can complete to earn the highly esteemed 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 has been a committed champion of Girl Scout councils nationwide and has been actively involved in empowering young girls across various cities. For years, they have been providing invaluable mentorship opportunities and generously assisting Scouts through impressive cookie drops and volunteer work.
“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.”
How to Earn 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 aims to leverage the Scouts’ logistical skills and offer mentorship to inspire them with real-life success stories from both women and men in the field. This program serves as an extension of the company’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
“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 its nationwide launch in 2025, DHL Supply Chain is collaborating with Girl Scouts to test the curriculum at select locations. The company will hold Logistics Career Exploration Days at various sites over the next year, where a small group of Girl Scouts will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities and provide valuable feedback.
These Career Days are hosted by knowledgeable employee volunteers and facilitators with expertise in HR, Solutions Design, Transportation, and Supply Chain Operations. This initiative aims to enhance and refine the program before it becomes available to Girl Scouts nationwide in 2025 and beyond.
Girl Scouts of the USA CEO Bonnie Barczykowski believes that the Girl Scouts organization provides girls with invaluable opportunities to explore new subjects and interests that they might not be exposed to in school. According to Barczykowski, one such area of exploration is supply chain and logistics, which allows girls to discover the potential for leadership roles in a field they may have never considered before. By learning about career pathways in this industry, Girl Scouts are exposed to countless possibilities for their future success.
“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.”
In an effort to empower girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), the Girl Scouts now offer 89 STEM-related badges. These badges cover a range of topics, from engineering and manufacturing to cyber security and app development, however, there is a noticeable gap in the transportation sector.
Fortunately, Ryder, a leading supply chain company, has stepped up to support the Girls Scouts of Tropical Florida. Together, they have created a supply chain patch. This badge aims to educate Girl Scouts in Florida about the intricacies of the supply chain by using their own Girl Scout cookie distribution as a real-world case study.
Source: CCJ Digital
