COVID-19’s disruption of the global supply chain has highlighted the role the logistics industry plays as an essential service, and how the industry needs graduates to fulfil demand.
According to a Retail NZ survey, more than 40 per cent of retailers were struggling to get the stock they needed in July, due to reduced levels of production from countries hard hit by COVID-19 and the small number of international flights coming into New Zealand.
Electronics, iPhones, clothes, and raw materials were reported to be in short supply, as were supply chain management graduates.
Lincoln University’s Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor Mark Wilson, said demand is outstripping supply for graduates as businesses start to realise the importance of logistics to their survival.
The course produces work-ready graduates, giving them a sound foundation in the core areas of procurement, operations, logistics and supply chain management.
“Our graduates will have an understanding of the necessary components of a fully coordinated product/market system that is efficient, sustainable, provides optimal returns to the stakeholders and value to final consumers.”
Third party logistics (3PL) is a fast growing part of the supply chain, a service that allows you to outsource operational logistics from warehousing, all the way through to delivery, and ultimately enables you to focus on other parts of your business.
General Manager Commercial for Online Distribution, a 3PL supplier, Guy Evans, said he continuously needed to be looking for employees that had the right skill set, such as problem-solving ability, adaptability, and being able to cope with pressures and who were able to hit the ground running.
He said the degree programme supplies the graduates he needs.
He even guest lectures on the course and directly recruits from it at careers fairs.
“They develop their confidence very quickly. We have had a lot of success with Lincoln graduates.”
Find out moreabout the Bachelor of commerce major in Supply Chain Management.
