From computer chips to chocolate chips, toilet paper to niche flavours of cat food — the world ran short of many great products last year. In 2022, bottlenecks will persist. However long and far we looked on the racks of our favourite stores or on our guilty pleasure websites for the things we once took for granted, they just weren’t there.
The importance of the invisible pathway of manufacturing, transportation, and logistics that moves goods from where they are produced, mined, or grown to where they need to be sold has never been this stark. Just look at the dozens of gridlocked global ports today.
If the pandemic taught us anything, it is that the proper management of the global supply chain is key to maintaining a steady flow of goods.
This is where qualified professionals step in. In today’s fast-paced and demanding world of e-commerce, supply chain management graduates are in even more demand than before. There are more jobs up for grabs than there are professionals.
The University of Manitoba has an AACSB-accredited school with a state-of-the-art program designed to fill this talent gap.
The University’s Asper School of Business —one of Canada’s leading business schools and ranked among the world’s top 8% — is home to the Master of Supply Chain Management and Logistics (MSCM) program. This professional postgraduate program is designed to prepare students for a vast array of leadership positions in the booming fields after which it’s titled, as well as many others.
The MSCM is a golden ticket to rewarding roles within the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, forestry, mining, hospitality, government organisations, public services, regional health authorities, infrastructure, education, or Crown corporations.
Offered by the Stu Clark Graduate School at the Asper School of Business, the MSCM is well-rounded enough to cater to the academic needs of aspirants, up-skillers, and re-skillers. While it emphasises the importance of enhancing professional skills, it also helps those with an eye on a brighter future to grow their understanding and appreciation for the application of ethics, sustainability, and professional practices in the supply chain industry.
Topics covered include: Managing People in Organizations; Operations and Supply Chain Management; Executive Leadership and Responsibilities; Quantitative Analysis; Business Processes Management; Negotiation; Global Transportation Principles; Sustainable Lean Management; Logistics Management; Purchasing and Procurement in Supply Chains; Supply Relationship Management: Recent Development in Supply Chain Management; Sustainable Supply Chain Management; and Advanced Supply Chain Management.
This knowledge is gained in just two years if the MSCM is pursued full-time. Those who would prefer to hold on to their existing responsibilities have the flexibility to stretch their journey to supply chain mastery for up to six years.
Every student gets to apply their newfound knowledge with a four-month practicum component taken as either a co-op or an applied project — a unique opportunity made possible by the Stu Clark Graduate School’s network of connections within Manitoba and across Canada. The Asper MSCM is the only program in Canada with such a feature.
Located in the centre of North America, Manitoba itself is a continental hub for supply chain management. Here, over 4,300 businesses and 40,000 workers are directly employed in the transportation and logistics sector. Manitoba’s workforce covers CentrePort Canada, North America’s inland port, over 1,000 for-hire trucking companies, Canada’s number one airport for scheduled freighter flights, and rail access to North America’s only arctic seaport at the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba.
Little wonder why 40,000 Manitobans are directly employed in the transportation and logistics sector or why 80,000 new supply chain and logistics jobs are anticipated in Canada over the next few years.
To ensure graduates are thoroughly prepared to add value to these organizations, experiential learning is big at the Asper School of Business. Faculty members here prioritize bringing modules to life. They believe when real-world issues are tackled in a professional setting, candidates build the necessary skills for workplace success.
But that’s not all. The Asper School of Business is also known for empowering its students to rack up accolades well before graduating. They host and support competitions where learners of all levels can present their business cases, solve industry challenges, and gain valuable insights from experts and professionals whose shoes they hope to one day fill.
Horizons are broadened internationally as well. With an MSCM, students will be able to build an international network abroad while earning course credit and examining the culture, economy, strategies, and management tactics used in a selected country. Previously, graduate students have travelled to Brazil, Hong Kong, Dubai, Finland, Tanzania, and Malaysia to do just that.
To customize your path to mastering the global supply chain with rigour, learn more about the MSCM or click here to apply.
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