Technology continues to advance at an astounding rate, a statement that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention during the past decade. In much the same way that we embrace new technology, we must also embrace the future generations that will inevitably carry the torch, taking your current business into the future.
While most people don’t aspire to be a supply chain leader when they’re children, there are a good number of young adults that are graduating from SCM programs at both the graduate and undergrad levels. A new study from Gartner has many of the key statistics for 2020.
Gartner’s study, which shows the top 25 Universities with Supply Chain Management degrees in the United States, revealed the following. The rankings were based on three categories of criteria: program scope, industry value, and industry size.
- The top three undergraduate programs: University of Arkansas, Rutgers University and Penn State.
- The top three graduate programs: Penn State, the University of Tennessee and Georgia Tech.
Interestingly enough, the format for ranking has changed for 2020, with the new scoring process to include global content, diversity, and inclusion measures. All of which ultimately means that there is a broader and deeper pool of supply chain talent to draw from.
An Ever-Growing Need for Talent
While there often seems to be a social disparity between the generations, there are strengths associated with each that can create a better, more well-rounded team regardless of the industry. Given that the supply chain is constantly in a state of flux, growth, and change, the best supply chain leaders are looking at the best ways to tap into the newest pools and recruit the top talent.
At BlueGrace, we believe in providing you the education necessary for You to be the best you can be!
With that being said, finding talent isn’t always as easy as one might expect. Yes, there are people that have these degrees and skillsets out there, but connecting with them and, more importantly, recruiting them, is often easier said than done.
Fortunately, there are resources out there that can help to point you in the right direction, such as the SCMTalentGroup, which specializes in connecting supply chain employers with prospective talent. Here are some tips from their recent series that you might want to employ in your day to day hiring strategy.
Partnering with the Right Supply Chain Universities
“Partner with universities that have the type of supply chain degree programs that align best with your entry-level job requirements, company values, and culture,” SCMTalentGroup suggests.
Working directly with the Universities can give you direct access to some of the best and brightest up-and-comers in the field. SCMTG recommends taking it a step further by building relationships with the professors in the supply chain management curriculum, as they’ll know who the top students in every class are.
“Be sure to post your jobs with each university and outline the benefits of working for your organization. Once you start hiring entry-level candidates from your targeted universities, have these employees go back to their alma mater to help recruit supply chain students,” SCMTG adds. Which is fantastic when you think about it as it creates a self-perpetuating talent generation source.
It’s also recommended that you begin to nurture relationships with prospective students early, rather than waiting for them to get close to graduation. This way, when a student begins to consider what companies they would want to work for after graduation, your company is among their top choices.
Using the Right Job Board
Don’t get us wrong, sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and various others have their uses and many potential job seekers have found placement in various industries. The problem with these sites, however, is that they are too broad and far too generalized. While you might be able to find employees through these sites, you’re not going to find the cream of the crop, as it were.
Instead of using generalized job posting sites, try using something more specific to your industry. Using a niche job board can help your company stand out to professionals looking for employment in supply chain specific fields, which means more relevant experience and interest in your specific needs.
SCMTG goes on to list other recruiting tips, of which some or all might be applicable to your company. Finding what strategies work for your company and hiring team is important, especially when you consider the changes and growing challenges that face the supply chain every day.
BlueGrace believes, before all things, that people come first. That’s how we started and that’s how we will continue to grow!
Looking for a Career Change?
Whether you’re in school working towards a logistics degree, or you simply have a passion for helping people find the right solution for their own business, BlueGrace has opportunities for those looking for something more than just a job. Logistics is one of the fastest-growing job sectors in the United States, and we are growing right along with it.
Are you looking to be bold, and break the mold of the daily 9 to 5 grind? Can you embrace the chaos that comes with an ever-evolving industry? Are you looking for a company that cares as much about its people as it does its clients? Get in touch with us today to learn more about a potentially life-changing career with BlueGrace!
