With need for logistics workforce growing, FSCJ affordable bachelor's degree meets expectations

Jacksonville Business Journal

By Jensen Werley

FSCJ's recently launched bachelor's program in logistics and transportation so far has met expectations, with about 68 students enrolled in the program.

In response to a growing demand for skilled workers in the logistics field, FSCJ launched an affordable bachelor's degree targeted at those interested in supply chain and logistics — or have been doing it for years, and want the degree necessary to get them to the next step.

"We had found there's not really a place for the entry or mid-level worker to have a career path that leads them into upper management," said Philip Seely, program manager for the new degree.

The program is designed to be a latticed approach to education, he said. Once a student has gotten his or her associates degree (whether it be at FSCJ or elsewhere, and whether it be in supply chain or another major), they can take bachelor's level courses. During that time, a student can also take professional level certifications endorsed by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals.

"They're ingrained so someone can get a certification, and continue their educational path, straight up to doctorate level," Seely said.

The certifications are seen as an additional recommendation that a student should be hired for a job. Not only will students graduate with a bachelor's degree, they'll have a variety of professional certifications, ranging from transportation operations to customer service operations to inventory management.

FSCJ is one of nine schools part of the consortium for these certifications, and is supported by Georgia Tech, Northwestern and Rutgers.

The program is specifically designed for the working professional, with a variety of ways and times to take classes. Thanks to a grant the degree has received, the certifications available are free to students during the pilot period.

The key, said Seely, is to get employers to encourage employees to take these classes and certifications, so it becomes the new standard in the industry.

"We want to partner with the workforce," Seely said at a recent advisory committee meeting, "and have hiring managers require these. Encourage employees to take the certifications and have cross-training."

The workforce in Jacksonville is helping shape the courses offered at FSCJ, he said.

"We have a business advisory committee, our own local roundtable," he said. "They're made up of professionals — director level, senior VP — of a lot of the companies here in Jacksonville. We've reached out to them to have them develop our curriculum. We have been trying to reach out to our local community to attract local students."

The bachelor's degree was launched after a survey with a 95 percent confidence level was returned from Fortune 500 companies saying there needed to be more education in the logistics industry to stay competitive with the world market. Coupled with Governor Rick Scott's call for $10,000 bachelor's degrees and an obvious need in the industry for more workers, the program was born.

Typically, an FSCJ degree would cost about $12k. To shave the cost, FSCJ will offer scholarships to its top performing students, likely those with a 3.5 GPA, said Jerry Collins, associate vice president of educational programs.

For those who want to work and get an education at the same time, for those that want to enter a rapidly growing field and for those that want to get a bachelor's degree without breaking the bank, the program is ideal, Seely said.

"It's a significant opportunity," he said, "for people looking for a long-term career path."