“I will always be grateful to my Roosevelt Warm Springs instructors,” says May 2024 Logistics/Warehousing Graduate

“When I graduated from Telfair County High School in 2022, I looked into joining the U.S. Army,” said Gabe Materne, a May 2024 graduate of the Roosevelt Warm Springs Vocational Rehabilitation Campus (RWS). “In high school I had a 504 Plan because I had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I didn’t like math or science, and when my plans to enter the U.S. Army didn’t work out, one of my high school teachers recommended the pathway programs at Roosevelt Warm Springs,” Gabe said. “Enrolling at RWS turned out to be a positive, life-changing experience for me.”

After finishing high school, Gabe entered the logistics/warehousing pathway at RWS. “I was more interested in a job that requires me to use my hands. I chose logistics because I am more of a hands-on person; I am not a books person,” he mused. “My instructor, Ms. Jayleen Buggs, and the pathway’s lead instructor, Danny Beasley, were supportive.”

During his enrollment at RWS, Gabe accompanied his classmates and instructors on a tour of a distribution center. Once he saw firsthand how the distribution center operates, he knew he wanted to seek forklift positions in a warehouse environment. While completing his studies at RWS, he applied for and was hired as a forklift operator at the Walmart Distribution Center in Douglas, Georgia.

“In spring semester of 2024, Gabe excelled at hands-on activities,” observed Beasley, the logistics lead instructor. “While Gabe struggled with "book learning,” as he calls it, he persisted with other classroom activities. He successfully earned his OSHA-10 General Industry certification,” Beasley noted. “OSHA-10 General Industry covers federal regulations as well as guidelines for industrial safety. Companies such as Walmart provide their own version of safety training, but Gabe’s OSHA-10 training provides a base on which he can build his skillset.”

Referencing how certifications might help Gabe in his current position, Beasley stated, “I believe the certifications give RWS students a leg-up over those applicants with no prior experience or training.”

Gabe says he likes knowing his job is close to home. “I’m not going to lie; it’s hard physical work,” he said when asked about his daily responsibilities. “I stand up on the forklift and enter information into the computer that’s affixed to the forklift. It’s a fast-paced environment. I re-stock supplies for order fillers, and I place products in aisles,” he explained. “Additionally, I help load trailers, and I frequently send boxes down a conveyor belt. Walmart’s a large company, so supervisors set production goals that must be met.”

When asked if he likes his duties, Gabe indicated this position is a good starting point for him at 21 years of age. “Some days it’s exhausting, but it’s rewarding to think I am contributing to my family’s income. I am glad I earned my OSHA and forklift certifications, because that knowledge helps me in my current position,” he said.

Reflecting on his academic experience at RWS, Gabe said he would wholeheartedly recommend the logistics pathway to potential students. “Thanks to the support I received from my instructors, I find myself in a job that allows me to contribute to my family’s lifestyle. For that I will always be grateful,” he said.

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