Build the Next Generation of Supply Chain Professionals
A turnkey framework for launching an industry-recognized logistics and supply chain program at your high school — credentials, equipment access, and employer connections included.
Supply chain jobs unfilled nationally
Avg starting salary, entry-level logistics
Projected job growth through 2032
required for most entry-level roles
A Career Pathway Students Can Start Before Graduation
Supply chain is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the U.S. economy. Students who earn industry certifications in high school can enter the workforce immediately — or continue into post-secondary programs with a significant head start.
Stackable Credentials
Students build a portable portfolio of industry-recognized certifications that employers actively hire for — from day one after graduation.
Employer Demand Is Real
Local manufacturers, distributors, and third-party logistics firms consistently report difficulty filling warehouse and operations roles.
Clear Upward Mobility
Entry-level logistics leads to operations management, procurement, and supply chain analyst roles — many paying $60K–$100K+ within a few years.
CTE Credit-Eligible
This program aligns with Career & Technical Education frameworks and may qualify for Perkins V funding in your state.
Industry Certifications Your Students Will Earn
Every certification below is recognized by employers and can be earned during high school. Schools may offer all or a subset depending on available equipment, facilities, and instructor qualifications.
OSHA 10
OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Card
The foundational workplace safety credential, required or preferred by virtually every logistics and manufacturing employer. Students learn hazard recognition, PPE, emergency action plans, and workers’ rights. Wallet card issued by OSHA-authorized instructors — valid for life.
10 hours | OSHA-authorized trainer required
CLTA
Certified Logistics Associate — MSSC
The entry-level steppingstone before the CLT. Covers workplace safety, material handling, quality basics, and communications. Ideal for students in their first year of a logistics pathway — builds foundational vocabulary and industry readiness.
~40 hrs instruction + exam | Good intro cert for Year 1
CLT
Certified Logistics Technician — MSSC
Issued by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council, the CLT covers supply chain fundamentals: inventory management, shipping and receiving, material handling, and warehouse operations. A nationally portable credential recognized across sectors.
~120 hrs instruction + exam | Proctored written exam
Forklift Operator
OSHA-Compliant Powered Industrial Truck
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.178 requires that operators be trained and evaluated before operating forklifts. High school programs can deliver this training using VR simulators and in-person equipment. Training records travel with students to their first employer.
8–16 hrs training + eval | Renewed every 3 years
Six Sigma White Belt
Lean Six Sigma — White / Yellow Belt
Introduces students to process improvement, waste reduction, and data-driven problem solving. White Belt is accessible to high schoolers; Yellow Belt adds DMAIC methodology. These credentials signal analytical thinking to employers and set students apart in competitive applications.
8–24 hrs depending on level | Online exams available
CPR / First Aid
American Red Cross or American Heart Association
Many warehouse and distribution employers require or strongly prefer CPR-certified workers. Pairs naturally with the OSHA 10 unit on emergency action plans — can often be delivered in a single school day through a licensed trainer.
4–8 hours | Renewed every 2 years
Class A CDL
Commercial Driver’s License — Class A
The Class A CDL authorizes students to operate combination vehicles including tractor-trailers, flatbeds, and tanker trucks. Requirements include a DOT physical, passing the FMCSA knowledge exams (General Knowledge, Combination Vehicles, and any applicable endorsements), and a behind-the-wheel skills test covering pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving.
Students must hold a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) for a minimum of 14 days before taking the skills test. Federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations require theory and behind-the-wheel training through an FMCSA-registered provider.
NGT Curriculum Companion Guide: Next Gen Trucking has developed a CDL Curriculum Companion Guide specifically designed to support high school programs delivering Class A CDL instruction — covering ELDT-aligned theory modules, skills test prep, and employer connection resources. Contact us to request your copy.
Theory + behind-the-wheel hours vary by state
FMCSA-registered provider required
DOT physical required
How to Launch Your Program in One School Year
Most schools go from initial inquiry to first enrolled students in a single academic year. Here’s the typical path.
Assess Your Starting Point
Identify available space, existing CTE pathways, budget, and employer partners in your region. Complete our free School Readiness Checklist to see where you stand.
Choose Your Certification Stack
Work with our curriculum team to select 2–4 credentials that fit your school’s capacity. Most programs start with OSHA 10 + CLTA and add CLT or Six Sigma in Year 2.
Secure Instructor Qualifications
Identify which credentials require an authorized trainer vs. a credentialed teacher.
- OSHA 10: Outreach Trainer authorization required
- CLT/CLTA: MSSC-licensed instructor
- Forklift: Qualified evaluator on-site
Set Up Your Learning Environment
A dedicated classroom with basic material handling props is sufficient to start. Forklift-Simulator’s VR units fit in the trunk of a car and set up in under five minutes — no physical equipment required.
Connect to Local Employers
Reach out to area warehouses, distributors, manufacturers, and 3PLs. Many will offer site visits, mock interviews, and part-time jobs for certified students. Next Gen Trucking can help make introductions.
Launch and Recruit Students
Market the program as a paid credential pathway. Emphasize job-ready outcomes. Programs with employer relationships consistently see strong enrollment.
Bring VR Forklift Training to Your Classroom
Forklift-Simulator (FLS) brings immersive, hands-on VR training directly to CTE classrooms — meeting OSHA requirements without the cost, liability, or space of physical equipment. A PwC study found VR-trained learners finish training 4× faster than classroom learners and are 275% more confident applying what they learned.
Faster training vs. classroom
More confident after VR training
Students upskilled at Goodwill OKC alone
- Forklift Simulator is the preferred forklift simulator partner of Crown, Hyster-Yale and Linde. The combination of OEM controls and the truck's actual physics builds real muscle memory
- Tracks 20+ validated OSHA rules with instant corrective feedback, no instructor bias
- Built-in LMS with RFID tracking meets Perkins V WBL data-collection requirements
- Desktop Simulators fit in a car trunk, sets up in under 10 minutes — shareable across multiple campuses
Let’s Build Your Program Together
Every school is different — different budgets, different facilities, different communities. That’s why we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our team will sit down with you, learn about your school, and help you design a supply chain program that works for your students and your resources. We’re here to guide you every step of the way — from choosing the right certifications to connecting you with local employers.
Schedule a free 30-minute discovery call with our team. Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch to find a time that works for you.
Schedule Your Free Discovery Call
Frequently Asked by Administrators
OSHA regulations generally prohibit workers under 18 from operating powered industrial trucks in the workplace under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s hazardous occupations provisions. However, students under 18 can legally complete forklift simulator training and classroom instruction — and receive their OSHA training record — which they can apply toward employer certification the moment they turn 18 or graduate. This makes the VR simulator pathway especially valuable for high school programs.
Startup costs vary depending on which certifications you pursue and whether you use simulation or physical equipment. A basic OSHA 10 + CLTA program can often be launched for under $5,000 including instructor training and exam fees. Forklift-Simulator offers education lease pricing and the platform is eligible for Perkins V, ESSA Title IV, and DOL RESTART grant funding — making it accessible even for schools with limited budgets.
Absolutely — and we recommend it. Most successful programs start with OSHA 10 as a standalone offering in Year 1, then add CLTA in Year 2. Starting small lets instructors build confidence, gives the school time to develop employer relationships, and creates early wins for students who earn the OSHA card quickly.
Requirements differ by certification. For OSHA 10, the instructor must complete OSHA’s 500 or 501 Outreach Trainer course. For CLT/CLTA, MSSC offers instructor licensing. Forklift training requires a “qualified person” as defined by OSHA — Forklift-Simulator can help schools establish this. We can map out exactly which instructor qualifications your chosen stack requires.
Yes on both fronts. Perkins V officially defines Work-Based Learning to include “simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement” — FLS fits this definition exactly. The platform’s LMS and RFID tracking are designed to meet Perkins V data-collection requirements out of the box. For OSHA compliance, FLS integrates genuine OEM controls and tracks 30+ validated OSHA rules with objective scoring.
In most metro areas and many rural regions, the answer is yes. We recommend auditing warehousing, distribution, manufacturing, and freight employers within 30 miles of your school. We can provide a regional labor market data snapshot at no charge to help you make the case to your school board.
Ready to Bring Supply Chain Careers to Your Students?
Every great program starts with a conversation. Fill out the form and our team will reach out to schedule a free 30-minute discovery call — we’ll learn about your school and help you figure out the best path forward.