CRANFORD – Union County College was awarded a $1.6 million grant from the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Program as part of a national consortium of 11 colleges and universities to develop entry and mid-level credentials in Supply Chain Management, allowing upward training from entry level worker certifications all the way to the PhD. The grant is part of a multiyear, nearly $2 billion initiative to expand targeted training programs for unemployed workers, especially those impacted by foreign trade.
The Leveraging, Integrating, Networking and Coordinating Supplies consortium community college partners represent states with high volume supply chain hubs and combine them with university partners that are leaders in the SCM field through research and advanced education. Leading the consortium is Broward College of Florida. Additional consortium members include Essex County College, Columbus State Community College, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Georgia Institute of Technology, Harper College, Long Beach City College, Rutgers University, San Jacinto Community College, St. Petersburg College, and Northwestern University.
The focus of the grant is to build eight stackable certifications that will provide workers with skills suitable for entry and middle-level employment in supply chain management. Courses will be offered in different formats including traditional, hybrid and online instruction. Internships, apprenticeships and on-the-job training will also be included in the program. The newly created industry-recognized certifications will be endorsed by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.
During the first year of the grant, the College will work with the LINCS consortium and local business partners to develop the curriculum. Students will be able to begin their certifications in the second year of the grant. Initially, each institution will offer the credentials most in demand in their local area based on input from local industry partners. As the home of the Port of Elizabeth, and in close proximity to the nation’s busiest highways and airports, Union County is a critical hub of supply chain activity.
Wakefern, Campbell Soup Company and American Musical Supply have already provided letters of support for the grant project. Once the training programs begin, additional business partners will be recruited through the College’s Industry-Business Institute.
For more information about Union County College visit www.ucc.edu.