Driving Education in Supply Chain Careers: Crowley’s Scholarships and Internships for Future Leaders
Key Facts About Crowley’s Workforce Development
- 90% of global trade moves by sea, making maritime careers essential.
- Crowley has invested over $3 million in scholarships since 1984.
- $2 million donated to educational programs to support workforce development.
- 32 scholarships awarded in 2024 to students at leading maritime academies.
- Partnerships with schools nationwide, including Duval Public Schools and Seattle Highline High School.
- Hands-on training programs through Year Up and Junior Achievement initiatives.
- STEM programs in Honduras and El Salvador have empowered young women.
At the center of everything from global trade and energy to national defense, the maritime and logistics industries connect the world’s economies and communities. In fact, 90% of the world’s traded goods are shipped by sea, according to 2024 data from the International Maritime Organization.
Despite the world’s reliance on the maritime industry, data indicate that it faces significant shortages of skilled workers.
Awareness and Opportunity
Many young people may not know about the rewarding careers in the maritime and logistics industry, especially if they live outside major workforce hubs. This sector offers exciting job opportunities and provides lifelong career paths. Opportunities include working as mariners, engineers or supply chain professionals. People can grow, learn and play a vital role in the global supply chain.
As a leader in maritime shipping, logistics and supply chain careers, Crowley tackles the workforce shortage by showcasing strong career paths to future generations. The company focuses on building career awareness and knowledge from early adulthood, fostering awareness and knowledge through hands-on learning.
Since 1984, Crowley has contributed over $3 million in scholarships and donated more than $2 million to educational programs. By supporting workforce development, partnering with local schools, and collaborating with national organizations like Junior Achievement and Year Up, Crowley invests in supply chain management careers and fosters the development of future industry leaders.
Attracting Next-Generation Talent Through Local Schools and Scholarships
Across the United States, Crowley frequently collaborates with schools in the communities where it operates. The purpose is to educate students about maritime, logistics and supply chain management career options.
- Crowley has a blossoming partnership with the Duval Public Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Florida, where Crowley is actively working to launch a maritime program at First Coast High School in the 2026-2027 school year.
- On the West Coast, at Seattle Highline High School, Crowley partners with a maritime-focused program to provide career speakers and mentors, as well as Crowley representatives at career-focused initiatives, such as career fairs.
Crowley’s commitment to workforce development and education continues into the formative years with support for higher education scholarships.
In 2024, for example, Crowley provided 32 scholarships to recognize students’ success and commitment to careers in the maritime industry. High-achieving students were selected from institutions like the University of Washington, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Texas A&M Maritime Academy, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy, among others. Selection was based on their academic success and their performance during cadet training periods aboard Crowley-operated or managed vessels.
Real, Hands-On Job Experience and Exposure to the Industry
Another way to bring young adults into the maritime and supply chain management industry is Crowley’s partnership with Year Up United. This partnership provides students with hands-on training and experience to build their skills. Year Up also offers a tuition-free job-training program called Career Pathways.
Harley Younkers, a previous year’s Up Program intern, is now in a full-time job as an account manager supporting supply-chain operations at Crowley.
“During my internship, I gained hands-on experience by working with several different teams at Crowley,” she said. “I was fortunate to have a mentor who invested considerable time and energy in helping me not just complete tasks but truly understand their purpose.I was challenged and supported every step of the way, which helped me discover my strengths, identify areas for growth, and build meaningful professional relationships.”
Teaching Real-World Skills
Another key example of Crowley’s commitment to introducing young people to new career fields at an early stage is its work with Junior Achievement of North Florida, which named the company its 2025 Partner of the Year.
Crowley has diligently worked with Junior Achievement to help students explore career pathways and build real-world skills. Crowley’s team helps countless young people prepare to enter the maritime and logistics industry and supply chain management careers successfully. With Junior Achievement, Crowley hosts terminal and vessel tours, leads career panels, and supports magnet programs for logistics and maritime education.
In 2025, Crowley has been proud to continue building its partnership with Junior Achievement through programs like:
- The Day of the Girl program, in which Crowley employees led hands-on workshops and conversations with students about transportation, global trade, teamwork and financial literacy.
- The Mujer Digital STEM education program in Honduras and El Salvador, where Crowley employees teamed with scholarship recipients for weekly mentorship sessions and developed webinars for an audience of over 300 young women.
- Crowley volunteers taught logistics, financial literacy and entrepreneurship to over 700 students, including children at a local elementary school, using readings from “Where Are You Going, Big Blue Truck?”.
Through these initiatives, Crowley is dedicated to reaching the next generation. The goal is to offer learning opportunities and highlight career opportunities in the maritime and logistics sectors. By exposing students and young people to various career paths at every stage, Crowley helps them imagine a future in the industry.
Crowley offers rewarding careers for professionals looking to join a company that prioritizes safety and innovation while providing competitive wages, opportunities to advance and the choice to join a hard-working team building a sustainable future.
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