What’s the One Thing You Would Do to Solve the Talent Gap? Put more SCM coursework in high school classrooms to help direct some of those talented students into business schools and SCM classrooms. So many bright high school students go into college for engineering or economics not knowing SCM exists, much less how it would fit their interests. Through games and guest lectures, students can start considering supply chain careers as early as middle school. –Julie A. Niederhoff Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management Syracuse University Enhance our emphasis on soft skills and leadership training for supply chain students . So much of the talent issue is not just sheer numbers, but also a gap in the bridge between entry-level and upwardly promotable supply chain talent. We need to produce not just good supply chain analysts and managers but also leaders. This is where a stronger focus on soft skills can be most impactful. –Terry L. Esper Associate Professor of Logistics Department of Marketing and Logistics Fisher College of Business Ohio State University Take advantage of the dip in employment in traditional technology firms to hire tech-savvy workers. Supply chain management needs more workers with data science and computing skills than they have been able to attract. Employees who previously spent most of their time writing code or analyzing data could find themselves working on bigger picture issues and developing tools to make supply chain systems run more smoothly. –Amelia Regan Director, Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Masters Degree Program Professor, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering University of Washington
A s supply chain complexity increases and business disruptions grow more pronounced, supply chain education programs at the undergraduate and graduate level are responding to bolster the skill sets of upcoming and current supply chain practitioners. In particular, supply chain management (SCM) programs focus on building leadership skills and driving change, says Robert Handfield, PhD, professor of supply chain management at NC State University and director of the Ethical Apparel Index Initiative. To prepare future supply chain and logistics leaders, programs incorporate technology applications into their courses, notes Morgan Swink, professor of supply chain management and executive director, Center for Supply Chain Innovation, at Texas Christian University’s Neeley Business School. Supply chain solutions explored in courses now go beyond enterprise resource planning software to data analytics and machine learning—in short, they delve into how to leverage data to make better decisions. “Technology is used to capture, analyze, and gather information to inform future decisions,” says Malini Natarajarathinam, PhD, from Texas A&M University’s Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution. “Technology is also used to design and deliver efficient solutions and enhance customer value. “Technology applications and digital adoptions in the supply chain cover a broad spectrum,” she says. “All levels of supply chain education programs are incorporating these changes into their learning and engagement activities.” TAKING ON RISKS AND CROSSING DISCIPLINES Today’s supply chain practitioners contend with increasing complexity while meeting multiple objectives, from controlling costs to ensuring sustainable operations. As a result, companies seek a broad range of skills—data analytics, risk management, operations know-how, supply chain strategy—from supply chain program graduates. The increased focus on data analytics is the most significant change in course content in the past three years, notes Jack Buffington, professor and academic director at the University of Denver’s supply chain management program. Supply chain education programs emphasize and build these in-demand skills with an interdisciplinary approach— including technology in both course content and delivery. “Over the past three years, supply chain education programs have become significantly more interdisciplinary, incorporating many of the latest technology and industry trends,” says Madhav Pappu, clinical associate professor at the Department of Information & Operations Management in Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School.
February 2023 • Inbound Logistics 35
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