60 seconds with Colleen Molko, Norco College

Colleen Molko
Title: Interim associate dean for Career & Technical Education at Norco College; executive director of the NSF Center for Supply Chain Technology Education
Experience: 20 years in state government, 12 years in higher education, and 3 months as executive director of the center.
Duties: Hosted at Norco College, the mission of the NSF National Center for Supply Chain Technology Education is to identify and develop skills-based education pathways, facilitate professional development, and disseminate educational materials with the goal of increasing the number of skilled supply chain technicians.

Modern: Before we talk about the center, let’s start with a definition: What’s a supply chain technician?
Molko: A supply chain technician is the highly skilled individual who repairs, installs, operates, maintains and upgrades the automated systems in a warehouse. The responsibilities could include everything from conveyors to robotics to mechanical drive systems to sensors and optics and, to some degree, PLCs.

Modern: Installation and maintenance have been performed on materials handling systems for years, yet this is a new designation and a new program. What’s driving it?
Molko: Today’s automated warehouse is not the same as the warehouse that is familiar to previous generations. The technologies used to support the nation’s supply chains are becoming more advanced and more prevalent every day. They’re being used to increase delivery speed, decrease costs, improve accuracy and meet the needs of the e-commerce revolution. This change-over is happening at such a rapid pace, there simply aren’t enough skilled technicians to meet industry’s needs.

Modern: How did the center come about?
Molko: Norco College is a community college located in California in the Inland Empire, which is one of the nation’s logistics hubs. Talking to area businesses, we recognized this need, as did our partners, Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio; Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Ill.; and Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, Wash. In 2011, the National Science Foundation invested in the establishment of the National Center here in Norco. We also have the support of a number of industry partners, such as Cardinal Health, Target and FedEx.

Modern: Can you tell us a little about the curriculum?
Molko: One of our first priorities was to develop a model curriculum that can be used by other community colleges and high schools to develop industry-led certificates and associate’s degrees in Supply Chain Technology. The courses in the model program include: Introduction to Automated Warehousing, Mechanics, AC and DC Electrical, Microprocessors/Microcontrollers, Technical Communications, Blueprint Reading, Math, OSHA Safety Standards, Hydraulics/Pneumatics, and Welding and Logic Controllers. Although still in development, we are working with the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council and MHI to establish an industry certification for the occupation of supply chain technician.

Modern: What’s the message you want to send to individuals considering our field?
Molko: These are high-paying jobs that are going unfilled and that provide a living wage. Entry-level salaries are $18 to $20 an hour and go up from there with a career ladder.