CONTACT: Matt Galnor, (904) 472-4196, matt@bachmangalnor.com
Local Educators to Gain First-Hand Knowledge from Industry Experts on Career Pathway Development
JACKSONVILLE, FL. (May 29, 2025) – JAXUSA Partnership will host an educator externship aimed at increasing awareness of the transportation & logistics industry this June. As part of JAXUSA’s ongoing commitment to workforce development, this weeklong Transportation & Logistics Educator Externship brings local educators into the public sector and businesses for hands-on experiences, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the skills, technology and innovation that drive the industry forward.
JAXUSA will collaborate with local industry leaders to host the educator externship, strengthening the connection between education and industry to ensure classroom learning that reflects current and future workforce needs. Partners include CSX, Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA), Amazon, University of North Florida, The Suddath Companies, Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) and Southeast Toyota Distributors. Activities will include facility tours, panel discussions, career pathway overviews and more.
Participants will be immersed in a variety of industry subsectors (rail, air, shipping/warehouse, road, maritime/port), offering a comprehensive view of the overall transportation & logistics industry to help them understand the full range of career pathways.
“We continue to see tremendous growth in the transportation and logistics industry through company relocations and expansions here in the Jacksonville region,” said JAXUSA Partnership President Aundra Wallace. “25% of the nearly 15,000 jobs created from our projects in the last 5 years were in transportation and logistics, so raising awareness of this industry is critical to ensure we have the talent to meet that demand.”
“The Transportation & Logistics Educator Externship is a collaborative effort to help educators align their teachings with the industry’s evolving workforce needs,” said JAXUSA SVP of Talent, Strategy & Marketing Anna Lebesch. “Together, with our partners, we’re building a skilled talent pipeline that drives long-term economic growth.”
By bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world, the Transportation & Logistics Educator Externship empowers teachers to inspire the next generation of talent
and help students see the transportation & logistics industry as a dynamic, successful career path that offers ample opportunities for growth.
Background As discussed in JAXUSA’s strategic plan, “The Future is Now – Northeast Florida,” it’s evident that talent is the leading component for economic success in Northeast Florida and beyond. In collaboration with TIP Strategies, JAXUSA conducted a transportation and logistics talent study in 2024 to help guide the upcoming talent of Northeast Florida by providing the needs and wants of this industry’s employers.
The study resulted in a comprehensive strategy guided by three key recommendations to raise awareness, cultivate a skilled workforce and enhance training opportunities for the transportation & logistics industry. The educator externship will help raise awareness by allowing educators to directly incorporate what they learn from job shadowing into their instruction and interaction with students.
For any questions regarding JAXUSA’s Transportation & Logistics Educator Externship or transportation & logistics talent study, please contact Murphy Gray at mgray@jaxusa.org.
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About JAXUSA Partnership JAXUSA Partnership, a division of JAX Chamber, is Jacksonville’s regional economic development organization. JAXUSA Partnership recruits new companies and expands existing businesses to increase high-wage job growth, private capital investment and a highly skilled talent presence in the seven counties that make up Northeast Florida.