9.1 Trainnig Program

Goal

Equip new warehouse employees with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to safely, efficiently, and accurately perform warehouse operations while providing the highest standard of customer service for GWSI clients.

Duration

1–4 weeks depending on role and certification needs with consistent review and instruction throughout the 90-day probationary period.

Program Overview

Core Training Modules

1. Orientation & Company Overview
2. Safety & Compliance Training
3. Warehouse Operations Training
4. Equipment & Technology Training
5. Customer-Specific SOP Training
6. Performance Standards & KPIs
7. Shadowing, Certification & Final Assessment

Module Details

Module 1: Orientation & Company Overview (Day 1)

Module 1 Objectives

• Understand company mission, structure, and GWSI customer service expectations.
• Learn warehouse layout & traffic flow.
• Fill out all required company and government forms/authorizations for new employees.

Module 1 Topics Covered

• Overview of GWSI offered services.
• Attendance, break, and shift policies.
• Professional conduct & communication.
• Security protocols (visitor logs, badge use).
• Tour of warehouse highlighting emergency exits and identifying specific hazards.

Module 1 Materials

• Employee handbook.
• Safety walkthrough checklist.

Module 2: Safety & Compliance Training (Days 1–3)

Module 2 Objectives

• Ensure employee understanding of workplace hazards
• Comply with OSHA and internal safety standards

Module 2 Topics Covered

• PPE requirements (gloves, safety shoes, hi-vis vest)
• Emergency procedures (fire, chemical spill, severe weather)
• Ergonomics & safe lifting
• Warehouse pedestrian/forklift traffic rules
• Accident reporting

Module 2 Practical Exercises

• Demonstrate proper hand lifting
• Distribute forklift training materials and watch Forklift Operator Safety Video

Module 3: Warehouse Operations Training (Days 2–10)

Module 3 Objectives

• Train employees in core GWSI warehouse functions
• Ensure understanding of customer-specific requirements

Module 3 Topics Covered

1. Receiving

• Unloading procedures
• BOL & seal verification
• Damage inspection and reporting procedures
• Pallet tagging & inbound labeling

2. Putaway

• Warehouse layout and storage practices (FIFO, FEFO, lot control)
• Scanning & WMS confirmation
• Unit condition, remediation, and accessorial services

3. Picking

• Picking method based on customer expectation
• Scanner workflows
• Accuracy & quality expectations
• Outbound unit pre-shipping inspection
• Customer packaging and shipping requirements

4. Shipping

• Trailer inspection procedure
• Loading best practices
• Load picture requirements
• Seal documentation
• Small-parcel processes

5. Inventory Control

• Daily cycle counts
• Root-cause analysis for variances
• Discrepancy documentation and reporting practices

Module 4: Equipment & Technology Training (Days 3–10)

Module 4 Objectives

• Certify employees to safely use warehouse equipment
• Train workers on the Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Module 4 Equipment Training

• Sit-down forklift
• Banding equipment
• Stretch wrap machine (if onsite)

Module 4 Technology Training

• WMS user interface & mobile scanner training
• RF scanning best practices

Module 4 Hands-On Exercises

• Pallet picking, stacking & staging
• Navigating WMS tasks (putaway, pick, cycle count)
• Label application best practices

Module 5: Customer-Specific SOP Training (Days 7–14)

Module 5 Objectives

• Train employees on customer-by-customer process requirements

Module 5 Topics Covered

• Special packaging or handling rules
• Unique quality standards
• Custom reporting or scanning workflows
• KPI expectations specific to each client

Module 5 Materials

• Hands-on demonstration

Module 6: KPIs, Quality Standards & Productivity (Day 10–14)

Module 6 Objectives

• Ensure understanding of how performance is measured
• Train employees to meet or exceed productivity metrics

Module 6 Key KPIs

• Containers/shipments unloaded per day
• Outbound orders shipped per day
• Measured duration for processes – unload, putaway, pick, load, etc.
• Shipping accuracy
• Inventory accuracy

Module 6 Training Topics

• How to improve unloading and picking speed safely
• Quality vs. speed balance
• Error prevention techniques
• Working as part of a warehouse team

Module 7: Shadowing, Evaluation & Certification (throughout training process)

Module 7 Shadowing

• New hires are paired with certified mentors
• Work through full shift tasks in live environment

Module 7 Checklists

• Task mastery checklist
• Safety compliance
• WMS competency

Module 7 Final Assessment

• Forklift safety quiz
• Practical skill demonstration
• Supervisor performance review after 90-day probationary period

Module 7 Certification

• Forklift certification printed

Optional Advanced Training

Leadership & Lead Training

• Conflict resolution
• Assigning labor based on demand
• Reporting and documentation

Specialty Logistics Training

• Food-grade warehouse requirements
• Pharmaceutical (GMP, lot control, temperature logs)
• Hazmat handling

Training Documents Included

• Attendance & progress tracker
• Safety checklist
• SOP signoff sheets
• Equipment certification record