Does Your Employer Value an Executive Supply Chain Education?
In the grand scheme of most companies, supply chain used to be secondary to other functions like production or marketing.
However, times have changed and companies are now looking to get the most value possible out of their supply chains and the people who work in them.
In light of this new emphasis, colleges have expanded their supply chain offerings, professional organizations for supply chain have broadened their certification programs and training companies now offer a variety options to help managers stay on top of the latest industry trends.
These offerings supply logistics professionals with the chance to develop their abilities, update their tech knowledge and better comprehend the internal workings of the modern-day supply chain.
In some instances, educational programs are provided in a traditional classroom. However, multi-day sessions, online courses or a hybrid of the two are becoming increasingly popular. These educational packages might offer a degree or a certification, or they might not.
Furthermore, training companies are now offering customized programs designed to meet the needs of individual businesses. These programs tend to be focused on getting supply chain managers and executives, or those who want those roles, the most up-to-date technical knowledge.
Take advantage of employer assistance
Most companies value formal supply chain education, and it is absolutely worth pursuing – especially if your company is willing to support your education financially. However, if your employer doesn’t put value on this education, you should still consider pursing it, with various options considered based on your economic means and career objectives.
In either situation, you need to consider what kind of education you want to get. Certifications can be a particularly tricky category because certification programs generally focus on technical know-how and rarely concentrate on bigger managerial topics like logistics strategy. Certifications benefit a worker just getting into the supply chain field, but those with many years of experience won’t see as much value.
If your company values full-blown degree programs in logistics or supply chain management, it will be more likely to reward you if you pursue one. However, you shouldn’t think that just earning a degree will get you a one-way ticket to an executive or manager position. To avoid any confusion, you should sit down with major decision makers at your company and find out your prospects should you earn a supply chain degree.
Many companies do offer financial support for those looking to pursue educational programs. However, there are usually strings attached. Many companies will mandate that you stick with the company for a certain period of time after completing the program, or else repay some or all of the financial support you were given. Once again, a good idea is to sit down with the proper personnel and find out the terms of accepting financial support for continuing education.
Work With a Top Supply Chain Recruiter
At ZDA, we specialize in working with supply chain professionals and therefore we have an intimate knowledge of what expertise companies are looking for in an ideal candidate. Please contact us today to work with a top supply chain recruiter and learn how we can help your career.
