The Maritime Logistics Education Taskforce is asking business people to donate “gently used” business attire to help high school interns as they begin working with area maritime businesses.
The taskforce is a collaboration of companies and organizations designed to reach, educate and grow the current and future workforce of the logistics and maritime industry in Savannah and the surrounding areas. It’s collecting the clothing for interviews and office environment work for future and current students of the new Maritime Logistics Pathway internship program.
Savannah Propeller Club president M.J. Hogan Jr. announced the effort Thursday at the club’s monthly luncheon.
The internship program, developed by the taskforce in collaboration with the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, will expose high school students to a variety of real work environments within the maritime logistics community.
The 200-hour program will kick off March 18 for 12 students from Chatham County public high schools. They are:
• Tyrone Free, Clarence Mitchell and Pyresha Singleton from Groves High School;
• Kody Kirkland, Peter Rivera and Malachi Smith from Jenkins High School;
• Wynter Benyard, Ashanti Howard and Tevin Maxwell from Johnson High School;
• Kjuantavis Coffee, Jessica Edmonds and James Leonard from Woodville Tompkins.
Among the business partners that will mentor the students in the workplace are Alliance Customs Clearance, Coastal Logistics Group, DAMCO, D.J. Powers Co. Inc., HWC Logistics, JCB Inc., JIT Warehousing and Logistics, John S. James Co., Matson Logistics, Port City Logistics and United Arab Shipping Co.
Before the students begin their actual internships, the taskforce will lead them in a series of workshops on résumé writing, soft skills and dressing for success. As their final “dress rehearsal,” students will participate in mock interviews, where they will dress and present themselves as if in an actual interview.
“Through this program students will experience first-hand how the shipping process works,” Hogan said. “Additionally, this gives members of the maritime community the opportunity to mentor the future of our industry.”
WHERE TO DONATE
Gently used suits, ties, dress shirts, slacks, skirts, shoes, scarves, belts, handbags and other business attire may be dropped off at the following locations by Feb. 26. All donations are tax deductible.
• Comfort Suites – Historic District, 630 W. Bay St.
• Coastal Center for Developmental Services, 1249 Eisenhower Drive
• Fairfield Inn and Suites – Savannah Airport, 10 Stephen S. Green Drive
• Comfort Inn and Suites – Savannah Airport, 15 Jay R. Turner Drive
For more information, call Kaisa White at 912-629-1505.
ABOUT MARITIME LOGISTICS EDUCATION TASKFORCE
The Maritime Logistics Education Taskforce was formed in partnership with the Propeller Club-Port of Savannah, Savannah Traffic Club, Savannah Maritime Association, the International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations, the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals and the Navy League, Savannah Council.
Its mission is to reach, educate and grow the current and future workforce of the logistics and maritime industry in Savannah and surrounding coastal areas.