Palm Beach State Program to Meet Supply Chain Management Demand
Palm Beach State Program to Meet Supply Chain Management Demand
“It’s been a golden opportunity to develop a program that’s in direct response to the needs identified by this industry.”
July 26, 2017
Lake Worth, FL - by Joyce Edelstein - When a state moves 762 million tons of freight annually, the volume drives a demand for employees with an expertise in logistics and supply chain management. That state is Florida, and Palm Beach State College stands ready to deliver the talent.
Beginning this fall term, Palm Beach State will offer an Associate in Science degree in Supply Chain Management. Classes start Sept. 19, and an information session will be held Wednesday, August 30, at 5:30 p.m. in the Lake Worth campus library, room LL205, 4200 Congress Ave.
The Supply Chain Management A.S. degree is a good fit for anyone looking to start or advance a dynamic career in a rapidly growing field. Supply chain professionals keep things moving, ensuring the efficient delivery of consumer and industrial goods. Program graduates could find themselves working for a distribution facility, carrier, port, manufacturer, retailer, third-party logistics firm, or practically any organization that has materials to source or products to move.
“The distribution and logistics industry looked to Palm Beach State College for a solution to their workforce shortage,” said Pat Richie, dean of PBSC’s business, trades and public safety programs. “It’s been a golden opportunity to develop a program that’s in direct response to the needs identified by this industry.”
Due to the expansion of global markets and improvements in transportation infrastructure, South Florida has become a hub for supply chain management careers. The Port of Palm Beach is the second fastest growingport for U.S. exports, and in the last few years, several major distribution and logistics companies have built facilities in the county. According to the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, the county is home to14 large distribution centers occupying over 3.3 million square feet, with more on the way.
“We don’t want our students to think they have to leave the county to find a good career opportunity,” said Gary Hines, the BDB’s senior vice president for administration. “We’re seeing some very exciting projects come to Palm Beach County and those that are already here are expanding. There are going to be numerous opportunities from entry level to senior management.”
Cheney Brothers, Inc., a leading Southeast food service distributor that also exports worldwide, has 1,000 employees in their 450,000-square-foot Riviera Beach facility alone. Warren Newell, CBI’s director of development, believes that young adults going into the workforce often overlook the distribution business, not realizing how many jobs are in South Florida.
“It’s tens of thousands of jobs, and they’re good jobs with excellent pay and benefits,” Newell said. “Any assistance to train and educate the employees, especially new ones coming up in the ranks, is a tremendous asset for any company in the logistics and distribution business.”
Chris Flaschberger, general manager for the Walgreens distribution center in Jupiter, is always hiring for the 800,000-square-foot facility.
“I’m trying to attract talent,” Flaschberger said. “We’re looking for a specific type of individual with leadership skills and pick/pack/ship experience. It would be nice to have some great [local] folks in the pipeline that we could build relationships with.”
The two-year, 60-credit A.S. degree program will cover a wide-range of knowledge and skills, including warehouse management, supply chain modeling, transportation and logistics, as well as industry-targeted courses in ethics and business law, database management and accounting. Internships, guest lectures and visits to local industry sites will reinforce learning. Graduates will be ready for entry- or mid-level positions and may pursue a bachelor’s degree at PBSC and potentially other institutions.
Beginning in the spring 2018 term, PBSC will offer Logistics and Transportation Specialist, a one-year College Credit Certificate program designed for people who need a faster route to starting or advancing a career.
“Industry is the pulse of our institution, especially in our area of A.S. degree programs where we’re preparing students for the workforce,” says Kimberly Allen, associate dean for Business and Computer Science programs. “The goal is to not only educate our students but to ensure that they are able to get a job.”
For more information about the Supply Chain Management programs, please visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/programs/Business or contact program director Jenny Posadas at 561-868-3864 or posadasj@palmbeachstate.edu.
