Our Industry Relationships
NCSCA’s industry collaborators represent some of the nation’s most advanced supply chains and help inform the skills and education needed to bring qualified talent to the field.
The National Center for Supply Chain Automation Addresses the Skills Gap
Industry research shows that between 2015 and 2025 there will be almost 770,000 job openings for Supply Chain Technicians in the U.S. A Supply Chain Technician is a person who installs, operates, supports, upgrades or maintains the automated material handling equipment and systems that support the supply chain. This type of equipment is found in facilities operated by Amazon, FedEx Ground, UPS, Target, Walmart and many other large corporations. The median wage for these technicians averages $24.00 nationally and advanced technicians with years of experience can earn as much as $84,500 annually. The work is highly-skilled, varied, interesting and in-demand.
Industry data indicates that 65% of companies rate hiring qualified supply chain workers as extremely or very challenging. This workforce shortage makes it critical to attract STEM-prepared individuals that have an interest in using technology. SCA grows the future supply chain workforce by advising educational institutions who are preparing students for jobs as supply chain technicians ensuring that programs are set up to meet the needs of industry through skills-based learning, practical classroom time, and industry input. SCA cultivates relationships with industry partners to engage students in internships, field trips, and job shadowing; to advise local community colleges on related curriculum; and to share expertise during its annual national symposium.
Supply Chain Management
Simply put, the Supply Chain requires managing a network of interconnected businesses involved in the supply of product and services required by the end customers. Supply Chain management spans all movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-progress inventory, and finished goods from the earliest point of product/service conception to the end customer. The activities included in the supply chain comprise everything from product development, sourcing, production, and logistics, as well as the various information and movement systems needed to coordinate these activities.
Supply Chain Automation
Supply Chain Technology (SCT) includes the various equipment, machinery, hardware, and software that improves the ability for organizations to manage their supply chains. Technologies included in the supply chain consist of such devices as optical scanners, conveyor systems, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), sensors, robotics, data base management systems, inventory control systems, and local area networks. These devices are critical to the supply chain and require individuals with specialized training and education to ensure the success of these technologies. We refer to these individuals as Supply Chain Technicians.
The U.S. has a critical need to fill open jobs in multiple areas, with logistics at the top of the list. Training programs need to be accessible, sustainable, and replicable. SCA is bringing educators and industry professionals together to support filling the talent pipeline.
Wes Jury, Senior Advisor, MSSC
SCA Labor Market
SCA has conducted labor market research on the occupation and anticipated job openings through 2025, both nationally and in each of the top 19 states.