The Supply Chain Training Program looks to help residents find careers in a booming industry. | Stock Photo
The Supply Chain Training Program looks to help residents find careers in a booming industry. | Stock Photo
Several agencies have teamed up to help Illinois workers who lost their job during the pandemic receive new training and find employment in the supply chain management industry.
The Illinois Supply Chain Management Training Program results from a partnership between the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM).
The goal is to connect those residents who are now unemployed or underemployed because of COVID-19 with training in what's become one of the fastest-growing occupations in Illinois.
"Through this new partnership with ASCM, we will develop a diverse pipeline of talent that allows companies to plan for long term growth here while ensuring our residents can seize the thousands of jobs coming to Illinois in the years ahead," DCEO Director Erin Guthrie said in a release.
DCEO's Office of Employment and Training committed $250,000 to the program set to start next month. The money comes from the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The program will start with 250 people that'll participate in online training. It'll begin in parts of the state that house some of the biggest hubs for the industry.
"Working alongside the State of Illinois and hiring companies, we'll bring industry-based training to help facilitate career opportunities for Illinoisans who are ready to take the next steps in their careers," ASCM CEO Abe Eshkenazi said in the release.
Several companies have already pledged to participate in the program, including Continental Tires, Geodis, DB Schenker, Worldwide Technologies, PepsiCo, and Pheonix Elevator.
E-commerce skyrocketed during the pandemic, which resulted in more workers' need to help meet the demand. There are about 2,000 supply chain job opportunities, and the industry is expected to create 500,000 jobs across the country in the next five years.
"Thanks to the team at DCEO and ASCM we will provide industry aligned supply chain management training to prepare Illinois residents the thousands of e-commerce jobs today, with many more to be added in the future," Kathy Lively, of the Southern Illinois Workforce Development Board, said in the release.
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