Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

The Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster uses your knowledge of mechanics, mathematics and design to work in careers you plan, manage and move everything from people to company products through a range of transportation services. In this field, you are involved in the logistics of all modes of transportation from road to rail to air to water.

This career pathway is divided into seven pathways:

• Facility & Mobile Equipment Maintenance
• Health, Safety & Environmental Management
• Logistics Planning and Management Services
• Sales & Service
• Transportation Operations
• Transportation System/Infrastructure Planning, Management & Regulation
• Warehousing & Distribution Center Operations

Facility & Mobile Equipment Maintenance

Careers in the Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance pathway include the maintenance, repair, and servicing of vehicles and transportation facilities, as well as the refueling of mobile equipment. All transportation relies on equipment which must function as designed, whenever needed. The people in this pathway keep the equipment and machinery running while looking for more efficient, safe, and cost-effective ways to do so.

Sample occupations include:

• Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler
• Automotive Body and Related Repairer
• Automotive Glass Installer and Repairer
• Automotive Service Technician, Mechanic
• Diesel Service Technician
• Electrical and Electronic Installer
• Electrical and Electronic Repairer
• Marine Watercraft Repair and Maintenance Worker
• Motorboat Mechanic
• Service Technician
• Small Engine Mechanic

Health, Safety & Environmental Management

Careers in the Health, Safety and Environmental Management pathway involve assessing and managing risks associated with safety and environmental issues. The well-being of people and our environment is more important and challenging today than ever before in history. The people employed in this important pathway research, plan and carry out activities to make our environment safer and cleaner.

Sample occupations include:

• Health, Safety, and Environment Manager

Logistics Planning and Management Services

Careers in the Logistics Planning and Management Services pathway involve the planning, management and control of the physical distribution of materials, products, and people. Often, more than one mode of transportation is used as distribution efforts can be complex, even national or global. These people are responsible for the plans which will ensure that cargo arrives at the right location, on time, and in the safest, most economical manner.

Sample occupations include:

• Logistics Analyst
• Logistics Engineer
• Logistics Manager

Sales & Service

Careers in the Sales and Service pathway involve the marketing and selling of transportation services to new customers as well as the management of existing customer relationships and customer service.

Sample occupations include:

• Billing Clerk
• Customer Service Representative
• Dispatcher
• Office Manager
• Parts Salesperson
• Statement Clerk

Transportation Operations

Careers in the Transportation Operations pathway are really on the move! These are the people that drive or pilot the vehicles that transport people and freight. Equally important to this pathway are the support people who ensure that any cargo transport is safe, secure, and on time.

Sample occupations include:

• Air Traffic Controller
• Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician
• Flight Engineer
• Motorboat Operator
• Pilot
• Ship Engineer

Transportation System/Infrastructure Planning, Management & Regulation

Careers in the Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management and Regulation pathway deal with all aspects of the design and operation of our public transportation systems - road, air, sea and rail. These functions are primarily the responsibility of people who are employed by federal, state and local transportation agencies. Many businesses work to assist these agencies in their efforts.

Sample occupations include:

• Aerospace Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Traffic Technician
• Urban, Regional Planner

Warehousing & Distribution Center Operations

Careers in Warehousing and Distribution focus on the operation of transportation and distribution facilities including ports, terminals, warehouses, and other types of facilities. All cargo needs to be tracked, sorted, labeled, and loaded accurately and safely. Timing is also important, since many loads must adhere to a schedule in order to satisfy the needs of the customer.

Sample occupations include:

• Traffic Engineer
• Transportation Manager