From L.O.G.I.C. Student to Shift Lead: Julio Rodriguez Builds a Career in Warehousing

August 6, 2026

When Julio Rodriguez (pictured center with members of his team) enrolled in our L.O.G.I.C. (Logistics, Operations, General Warehousing and Inventory Control) training program, he wasn’t completely new to the warehouse.

He already had experience operating some equipment, but after stepping away from the industry to pursue other jobs, including delivery work, Julio saw L.O.G.I.C. as an opportunity to refresh his skills, learn new ones and figure out what might come next.

It did much more than that.

Today, Julio works as a shift lead at Best Warehousing & Transportation (BWT) in New Castle, helping oversee daily warehouse operations and a team of employees.

“L.O.G.I.C. definitely gave me a refresher,” he said. “But it also gave me a lot of information.”

Preparing for more than a forklift

For Julio, one of the biggest benefits of L.O.G.I.C. was the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with equipment he had never operated before.

Before the program, he had never used a ride-on pallet jack or cherry picker. He also refreshed his skills on the stand-up reach truck — equipment he now uses regularly at work.

But the training went beyond operating machinery.

Julio learned more about the computer and administrative side of warehouse operations, including bills of lading and master bills of lading. Those skills have become increasingly valuable as he has taken on more responsibility at BWT.

On a typical day, Julio makes sure his operators are ready to work and have completed their forklift inspection sheets before heading onto the warehouse floor. He directs employees to load and unload trucks, distributes pick sheets for outgoing orders and helps ensure work is completed safely and efficiently.

He also assists his supervisor with scanning pallets, completing shipping documentation and coordinating with the warehouse clerk.

His goal is simple: keep the operation moving smoothly.

From a job to a career

Looking back, Julio believes L.O.G.I.C. helped put him on a different trajectory.

Before enrolling, he had stepped away from warehousing. Without the program, he thinks he might still be working a job outside of the industry.

L.O.G.I.C. reminded him how much he enjoyed the work.

“I think that’s what pushed me to love the machines again,” he said.

More importantly, the program helped Julio see the potential for a career rather than simply another job.

“With the L.O.G.I.C. program, you’re getting more than just a forklift certification,” he said.

Students receive hands-on technical training while also developing workplace skills that can help them grow professionally. For Julio, that combination helped prepare him not only to work on the warehouse floor, but also to take on leadership responsibilities.

Julio isn’t the only L.O.G.I.C. graduate who has found an opportunity at BWT.

Several other graduates of the Food Bank’s workforce training program work alongside him, including fellow graduate Jawon Watson who has also advanced into a lead position.

For Julio, seeing fellow graduates succeed reinforces the value of the training and the opportunities available in the logistics industry.

He encourages current students to take full advantage of their time in the program.

“Just stay focused,” he said.

When Julio enrolled, he set a goal of earning every certification available to him — and he did.

He also encourages students to take the program’s emphasis on safety seriously. Heavy equipment requires an operator’s full attention, and developing good habits in the classroom helps prepare students for the expectations they will encounter on the job.

“Pay attention to everything they have there,” Julio advised. “Your instructor wants the best for you and is getting you ready to be with your employer.”

That preparation includes more than technical skills. Students learn the importance of arriving on time, completing their work and demonstrating the reliability employers expect.

For Julio, L.O.G.I.C. provided an opportunity to build on skills he already had, expand his knowledge and find his way back to an industry where he could grow.

Now, instead of simply operating equipment, he is helping lead a team and ensure others are working safely and successfully.

He hopes more people will take advantage of the same opportunity.

“I recommend it to any young person or a person that needs a second chance,” he said. “They’re setting you up for success.”

And for students sitting in the L.O.G.I.C. classroom today wondering where the training might take them, Julio is proof that completing the program can be just the beginning.

Our next training class in Newark and Milford begins on Tuesday, September 9. Click here to apply.