The industry that for years was referred to, somewhat generically, as shipping, trucking or freight has new moniker — logistics.

Atlanta-based UPS took the term “logistics” to a new level when it put together a television commercial set to the tune of the old Dean Martin standard “That’s Amore:”

When it’s planes in the sky,

For a chain of supply,

That’s logistics.

When the parts for the line

Come precisely on time,

That’s logistics.

In October 2012, Georgia Northwestern Technical College brought Nick Sainato on board from Calhoun to begin a logistics program. Seven students have completed one section of a certified logistics associates course and are now in the midst of their second series to become certified logistics technicians.

Douglas Holt of Rome, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, said he was doing logistics in the Navy and didn’t even realize it.

“We had to plan supply deliveries for a carrier group from all around the world,” he said.

Steve Evans of Rome, who lost his job at Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital, is among the first group to participate in the program.

“I was open to doing anything, and now I’m doing good at it,” Evans said.

He’s had several job interviews, including one at the new Lowe’s Regional Distribution Center in Shannon. The whole class took a field trip to the Lowe’s facility, which will formally open later this year.

“That’s not your typical logistical operation in Georgia,” said Pete McDonald, vice president for economic development at GNTC. “There are thousands of smaller companies that do their own logistics.”

Sainato, who holds a degree in business logistics from Penn State, is chairman and CEO of MS Logistics in Calhoun. He said he’s going to be showing the class his 25-employee facility soon.

The program is divided into a series of computer-based teaching modules.

“With each unit they take a pre-test to determine their knowledge of the subject matter, then study the lesson and take a post-test,” Sainato said.

The classwork runs the gamut of the logistics chain — dealing with sea, truck, air and rail-based movements of goods.

Glen Bressler of Calhoun said he had previous experience in a warehouse environment but signed up to get additional training and certification.

Kris Ramchandrappa also lost a job at NWGRH. He came to Rome years ago as a design engineer for General Electric. Ramchandrappa said he got involved in the logistics program after taking other classes at GNTC.

Job opportunities are enormous across the region according to Sainato, McDonald and Jim Powell. Sainato said the Calhoun area in particular, because of its location on Interstate 75, is a hub for logistics companies. All the major carpet firms there — Shaw, Mohawk and Beaulieu — have their own logistics operations.

Scott Logistics, at 375 Technology Parkway in Rome, also is a major player in the local industry.

Sainato said that someone who comes through the program can expect to start out earning $9 - $12 an hour in this area.

“With good work ethics, they can move up pretty quickly,” he noted. “It’s generally a pretty high-paying industry.”

A new class is scheduled to begin March 11.