Supply chain management is an industry with high demand, especially as the industry evolves to keep pace with consumer expectations all over the world. To best prepare the workforce to fill important supply chain roles – especially in New Jersey – Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD) developed a new Share-Time Business Pathway with a supply chain track starting this fall.
The program, housed in the new Morris County Career Training Center, is designed to bridge the gap between high school education and the workforce, providing students with valuable skills, college credits and experiences that prepare them for future careers or further education. It builds on the success of the high school Academy for Global Commerce, which introduces full-time students to key business concepts including supply chain management.
The new supply chain-focused, two-year pathway includes college-level courses such as Introduction to Business and Supply Chain Management in preparation for the Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) credential. This industry-recognized certification issued by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), a global leader in supply chain organizational transformation, innovation and leadership, is the largest nonprofit association for supply chain.
“Beginning supply chain management education earlier will equip students with valuable knowledge and skills, preparing them for future academic and multiple attractive career opportunities with higher average salaries,” said Russell Miller, vice president of education for ASCM.
According to Miller, the need for skilled supply chain management professionals will continue to increase in the future due to numerous conflicting pressures arising from increasing interconnectedness of markets, globalization, diverse regulations, societal and environmental pressures, technological advances and risks, as well as evolving consumer expectations.
“As the supply chain industry grows in scope and complexity, there is a widening gap between the skills required and the talent available. Many organizations struggle to find professionals with the right combination of analytical, technological and interpersonal skills,” added Miller.
Looking outside the classroom, both educators and professionals across New Jersey are focusing attention to early exposure of supply chain concepts. One example of this effort to build awareness and practical skills at all levels of the economy can be seen in the work of organizations supporting small business education and entrepreneurship. The WCEC Women’s Business Center, a non-profit, SBA Resource Partner, offers free to low-cost entrepreneurial resources, serving the northern 14 counties of New Jersey.
While not a formal partner of the district, the WCEC Women’s Business Center’s efforts reflect a broader, statewide awareness of the need for increased supply chain knowledge and workforce readiness. The focus on small business and hyper local supply chains aligns with what students may encounter through internships. According to the WCEC Women’s Business Center, many small business owners are small-scale makers, manufacturing their unique products at home or a local facility. Understanding supply chains at a hyper-local level is critical for students preparing for the industry as it enables New Jersey’s economic growth. Connecting with the WCEC Women’s Business Center to identify internships is one way students may be able to gain this understanding.
“High-quality internship opportunities are essential for rising students as they prepare to enter the workforce or start their own small business. Being intentional in diversifying those experiences, such as scale of operations, product or client base, will help them stay competitive in a space hungry for creative problem solving. When we invest in our community through quality, necessary programming, we boost the workforce and economy. Helping students understand supply chain at a hyper-local level is critical,” said Kat Diwaker, program manager for the WCEC Women’s Business Center and former fashion industry designer.
Advance Your Supply Chain Knowledge
For professionals, the WCEC Women’s Business Center will host its next Supply Chain Basics for Every Business Owner workshop on October 10, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. To learn more or register, visit www.wcecnj.org.
For students looking to enhance their employability through their supply chain knowledge, MCVSD’s Share-Time Business Pathway with a supply chain management track is now an option. This new program welcomes current 10th grade students in Morris County to apply during the application period of December through February.
Families and prospective students are encouraged to attend an information session to learn more about the program. Details will be posted at www.mcvts.org/apply/share-time-admissions.
The district also welcomes interest from businesses looking to support workforce development in the supply chain industry by joining the program’s Advisory Council or exploring partnership opportunities. For more information, contact didomenicog@mcvts.org.
This article originally appeared August. 18, 2025 in ROI-NJ
