Miguel Martinez-Saenz, Ph.D., president of St. Francis College.
The holiday season, with its high demand for consumer goods, is over, but the supply chain crisis continues and it won’t end without a concerted effort by educators, government entities and businesses to work together. In addition, corporate leaders are being pushed to the brink as they navigate the never-ending shift of expectations and changes during what most would describe as turbulent times.
Even though the national spotlight has been trained on the government’s response to supply chain bottlenecks and delays, the challenge calls for developing a workforce with a stronger understanding of the fundamentals of supply chain management and even stronger leadership skills.
“As educators, we have a responsibility to find ways to better society and assist communities facing serious challenges,” said Miguel Martinez-Saenz, Ph.D., president of St. Francis College in Brooklyn. “Building solutions means greater collaboration between government, the private sector and higher education, and I believe colleges and universities are ready and able to do their part.”
Many who have recently joined the workforce and workers who want to learn new skills need to understand the latest practices related to supply chain management, Martinez-Saenz said. This must be offered by educators with a keen eye to understanding how to maintain productivity and efficiency given the current demands. This is not the government’s job, he added, but that of colleges and universities.
Before the pandemic, employers hosted large-scale, in-person training. Now, with people working remotely and companies being cautious and restricting in-person gatherings, virtual learning is more important than ever. Not only are colleges adept at providing online classes after the last 18 months, but higher education has the expertise to scale up courses designed to meet the urgent needs of our country, Martinez-Saenz explained.
St. Francis College in Brooklyn is among several higher education institutions connecting workers to industry leaders and expert faculty members versed in how to meet the needs of the supply chain workforce. Through its five-week online Supply Chain Excellence certification program, St. Francis connects supply chain employees to industry leaders and expert faculty members versed in how to meet the needs of the supply chain workforce.
This convenient program teaches end-to-end perspectives on operations and how supply chain logistics affects many areas throughout hundreds of industries. Enrolled professionals will learn to streamline a supply chain’s effectiveness and the impact of new technology on supply chains through courses such as Competitive Implications of Demand Planning and Improving Procurement Practices. In addition, St. Francis College offers an eight-week Leading Through Turbulent Times certification program, taught by industry experts, and includes courses such as Practicing Positive Leadership and Negotiating for Mutual Gains. These courses explore the various effects on a recovering economy and how to navigate shifting expectations and needs of corporate operations.
These workforce programs were designed by industry experts and published authors, including Shawn Achor, Dr. Hal Movius and Nobels Colloquia prize winner Dave Ulrich.
“This crisis provides us with an opportunity to develop partnerships across higher education, the private sector and government agencies in important new ways to resolve this unprecedented challenge,” Martinez-Saenz said. “Building solutions means greater collaboration, and if there is one thing colleges and universities have learned, it is the importance of these connections.”
Business leaders may register for the programs at https://workforce.sfc.edu/. The programs are powered by CorpU, a Udemy Company, a cohort-based workforce development organization and pioneer in the online learning space.
About St. Francis College: For more than 160 years, St. Francis College has provided a diverse student body, from Brooklyn and around the world, an affordable private college education rooted in Franciscan values of inclusivity and respect of all people. Located in the heart of Brooklyn – minutes from Wall Street, world-class cultural institutions, and leading entrepreneurial hubs – St. Francis College offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and four master’s degree programs. St. Francis College programs inspire lifelong learning and prepare students for fulfilling careers in the 21st-century global economy.
Staying current is easy with Crain's news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge. Click below to see everything we have to offer.
We offer a discounted rate through Student Beans for students with a valid .edu email address. For only $35, you can get the leading source of business news, anytime & anywhere, for an entire year.
Our Mission
Crain’s New York Business is the trusted voice of the New York business community—connecting businesses across the five boroughs by providing analysis and opinion on how to navigate New York’s complex business and political landscape.
685 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 210-0100
Contact us
FAQ
Report a problem
Staff directory
Crain jobs
