The Supply Chain Technician: An Emerging Supply Chain Career

In response to the rapid growth of e‐commerce, the development of new & advanced technology and globalization, a new occupation has emerged within the supply chain/logistics industry.

The new “omni–channel” way of delivering goods which relies heavily on highly automated types of processing solutions now requires a skilled technician to oversee a variety of software and equipment related to mechanical, applied electronics, manufacturing, automated systems, and information technology.

The National Center for Supply Chain Technology Education (SCTE) and the California Centers of Excellence recently released a research study that analyzed national trends related to the emerging occupation of Supply Chain Technicians.

According to the research there an estimated 160,000 businesses engaged in supply chain activities such as trucking (freight transport), distribution and manufacturing with the current employment for Supply Chain Technicians (SCT) at an estimated 203,000 jobs. An increase of 30% or an additional 61,000 jobs is expected to occur in the next 24 months.

One of the more striking findings is that 47% of survey respondents stated that they would require only a high school degree for these technicians, while only 17% would require a bachelor’s degree. Even with the variability in skill, education, and certification requirements businesses are uniform in wanting Supply Chain Technicians to have a mastery of the following skill functions: operate equipment, maintain equipment, direct maintenance and maintain systems.

Although there is consistency of desired skill requirements, there is not an industry‐recognized curriculum, which includes portable, stackable certifications.

As one of the preferred certifications, the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Logistics Technician (CLTAE) is the first–ever industry recognized national certification for the core technical skills of front‐line workers (entry level through first line of supervision) involved in the handling and distribution of materials throughout the supply chain and logistics industry. MSSC’s position at the foundational level of the NAM‐endorsed Skills Certification System is an ideal starting point for portable, stackable credentials.

With the rapid spread of productivity‐enhancing technologies, a next generation of workers with advanced manufacturing technical skills is required. Due to the negative image of the supply chain/logistics industry the processes that worked ten years ago to recruit and hire workers are no longer delivering a quality pool of candidates from which to choose.

MSSC applauds SCTE’s efforts to foster greater collaboration between community colleges and industry to align current curriculum to industry needs. This effort can only lead to a professional, technical workforce that will drive competitiveness and efficiency in an industry that hinges on the speed and accuracy of moving goods.