L.O.G.I.C. Student Spotlight: Ryan Truitt
July 27, 2021
Ryan Truitt learned about the L.O.G.I.C. (Logistics, Operations, General Warehousing and Inventory Control) program thanks to an email.
“I knew it was something I wanted to do,” he said.
Three generations of his family worked in manufacturing at the now-defunct Newark Chrysler plant. “It was a dream to work there,” he explained. While working in the car manufacturing industry in Delaware is no longer an option, the L.O.G.I.C. program is helping Ryan gain skills to find employment in other sectors of the industry.
Prior to enrolling in the program, Ryan worked in the retail sector but it wasn’t a good fit for him.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure how I would fit in [here] because of my social anxiety,” he said. “But with it being such a small class, it’s so easy for me to handle, and Joe [Cunha, Warehouse Instructor] is just so easy going. It’s fun.”
Now in week five of the 11 week training program, Ryan is feeling more confident about using the warehouse machinery. “At first, I was very scared about the pallet rider, one wrong turn of the hand and you’re zooming across the row,” he explained. But thanks to Joe’s instruction, Ryan is feeling good about the progress he’s made.
His favorite part of the training program – driving the forklift and helping the volunteers. “I love wrapping the pallets,” he said.
In addition to learning how to maneuver warehouse equipment, Ryan’s training is well-rounded with the addition of life skills like communication, resume writing, interviewing, nutrition and more.
“It’s [life skills] been helpful,” he pointed out. “It helps me work on myself and handle situations better.”
Thanks to the support of the Food Bank of Delaware team, Ryan and his classmates all receive a two-week paid work experience and job placement services as part of their training program. A recent field trip to nearby Dupont sparked Ryan’s interest in possible employment there.
In additon to classroom and warehouse experience, Ryan and his classmates are working on earning their OSHA-10 and forklift certifications. They’ll also get a chance to apply for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card to access places like the Port of Wilmington.
The next L.O.G.I.C. class begins on September 20 at the Food Bank of Delaware’s Newark warehouse.
