Partnership ties into Prologis’ recently launched Community Workforce Initiative to build a pipeline of talent for jobs in logistics
Victorville, CA – Stirling Capital Investments (SCI) and Prologis, Inc., announced a 10-year agreement with the Victor Valley Community College (VVCC) to create a new High Desert training center at Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA). Stirling and Prologis are donating an existing building for a 10-year term and VVCC will facilitate hands-on training programs to better prepare the High Desert workforce in skills needed in business today.
Superintendent-President Daniel Walden, Ph.D of the VVCC, who will be operating the new High Desert Training Center, stated, “We have an opportunity to work with our local manufacturing, transportation and logistics industries, among others, to better understand the skill sets businesses need today and for the future. The goal of the new training center is to be responsive to what will propel the economy of the High Desert region forward.”
“The City of Victorville is pleased to see our relationship with VVCC expanding at SCLA,” said Victorville Mayor Gloria Garcia. “We remain excited that our community will have new opportunities and pathways to employment with our growing industries at SCLA.”
Stirling President & CEO Dougall Agan added, “SCLA is home to a number of major manufacturers and employers which provide us with immediate input on what our local businesses need to continue to grow. Qualified, highly skilled employees are always in demand when businesses are relocating to a new region for expansion or planning future investment. We are excited to help make this new training center a reality.”
To help address labor shortages in the logistics sector, Prologis last fall launched its Community Workforce Initiative (CWI). The program debuted in Los Angeles and as of this writing has expanded to Chicago and Miami.
“CWI is an extension of our commitment to deliver superior customer service while strengthening communities, enhancing local economies and helping our customers address labor needs and expand their talent pipelines,” said Kim Snyder, president of Prologis’ West Region and a key member of the team that developed the program. “Through CWI, Prologis will collaborate with local workforce programs to provide mentorship, skills training, internships and job placement services for people interested in pursuing careers in logistics, distribution and transportation—sectors currently experiencing a significant labor shortage.”
Snyder added, “One of the benefits of having this training center at SCLA is that it helps support our current and future customers by providing an in-place workforce as well as training for additional skills that could be useful in the advancement of their manufacturing procedures.”
“We appreciate the support of business partners such as Stirling and Prologis who are helping attract and train a larger pool of skilled workers,” said San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board Chair Tony Myrell. “Similar to the impact of the InTech Center in Fontana, we expect the High Desert Training Center will be a game changer in providing the training that helps position the Inland Empire’s skilled workforce as a competitive advantage and attracts companies looking to expand in or relocate to Southern California. The County looks forward to helping create the classrooms and hands-on instruction required to build a quality training center that supports the growing skilled labor pool in the High Desert for many years to come.”
Stirling has long supported the County of San Bernardino as a major investor in the area. Stirling’s Vice President, Asset Services & Corporate Relations, Anita Tuckerman, was appointed by Supervisor Robert Lovingood to serve on the San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board.
“This High Desert training center will bring accessibility to individuals within the High Desert and surrounding areas to acquire in-demand manufacturing skills to better position them for employment in living-wage and higher-paying positions with growth potential,” First District Supervisor Robert Lovingood said. “This center is the result of the active engagement of Victor Valley Community College, San Bernardino County Workforce Development and industry partners such as Stirling and Prologis, who have partnered to provide a facility that is tailored to the workforce needs of local industry. Our County leadership is committed to building a strong, pro-business region and we are proud to be a partner in the development of this High Desert training center.”
Originally built in the 1970s as part of the former George Air Force Base, SCI has adopted a creative reuse plan for the approximately 66,000 square foot structure, which is now undergoing an extensive remodel and upgrade to accommodate the VVCC training center and other tenants. Stirling Development’s in-house team is overseeing the design and construction process to transform the building into the high-tech facility envisioned by the VVCC.
Stirling Capital Investments has completed more than 4.5 million square feet of Class-A industrial warehouse and distribution facilities at SCLA. Notable global tenants at the project are Newell Brands (the parent company for brands such as Rubbermaid®, Graco ®, Mr. Coffee®, Food Saver®, Yankee Candle® and Sharpie®), Plastipak Packaging, Arden Companies, United Furniture, Dr. Pepper/Snapple, Red Bull, Mission Foods, Sparkletts, General Electric, FedEx and more.
About Stirling Development
Stirling Development is a Foothill Ranch, Calif.-based strategic, full-service, value-added development company specializing in master-planned communities and major land renovations. Stirling is led by partners Dougall Agan and Chris Downey, who have been responsible for more than $3 billion in development activity on large-scale land development projects in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. Stirling’s joint venture partner for SCLA is Prologis, Inc., the global leader in logistics real estate. For more information, visit www.stirlingdevelopment.com.
About Prologis
Prologis, Inc. is the global leader in logistics real estate with a focus on high-barrier, high-growth markets. As of March 31, 2019, the company owned or had investments in, on a wholly owned basis or through co-investment ventures, properties and development projects expected to total approximately 772 million square feet (72 million square meters) in 19 countries. Prologis leases modern distribution facilities to a diverse base of approximately 5,100 customers across two major categories: business-to-business and retail/online fulfillment. For more information, visit www.prologis.com
