Distribution and manufacturing facilities keep cropping up throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley and are expected to continue. But as the flow of goods and services continues its domination of the region’s commerce landscape, the need for a workforce that can successfully manage and develop these companies becomes increasingly critical.
To meet the needs for these employers, Penn State Lehigh Valley of Upper Saucon Township said it will launch a bachelor of science degree in project and supply chain management, starting next fall. The major focuses on developing skills, knowledge and abilities in project management, supply chain standards and business basics.
“We have an opportunity to offer degrees that specifically tie into the regions we serve,” said Tina Richardson, chancellor of Penn State Lehigh Valley. “We want to position all our students for gainful employment at the completion of the degree.”
Richardson said the need for the degree became apparent based on the findings of a workforce strategies report by Oxford Economics and Economic Modeling Specialists Int and commissioned by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.
That, coupled with conversations with a number of colleges, universities and officials associated with the LVEDC Education and Talent Supply Council and collaboration with industry partners, helped Penn State Lehigh Valley identify the need for a degree in project and supply chain management.
The university will broadly market the four-year degree, Richardson said. Also, employees already working in the field who do not have a degree can enroll in courses offered by the degree and be well-positioned to advance in their career, she said.
“From a business standpoint, we’ve been moving products around the world for centuries,” Richardson said. “For the future of e-commerce, you need to be able to do it in a cost-effective way.
“In this global economy, we are seeing products we have here in other countries. These logistics and procurement degrees help us understand how things move.”
The major focuses on how to integrate manufacturing and service operations, logistics, purchasing and distribution that allows organizations to create supply chain networks. Course work will include internships at companies in the region, research projects and industry guest lecturers.
