Pittsburg State University announced two new degree programs on Monday. The newly created Industrial Distribution and Supply Chain Management degrees are a collaboration between the Crossland College of Technology (CCOT) and the Kelce College of Business. (KCOB).
Lisa Riedle, Dean of the Crossland College of Technology said the new programs are for the "hands-on learner who wants to literally move the world."
"So, whether it's improving an operation like we're standing in today, or looking at materials, how they get handled efficiently, even out of the train depot, or out of construction," added Reidle.
The Industrial Distribution Class offers a stronger technical focus. At the same time, the Supply Chain Management class has a business-driven emphasis.
Both programs combine classroom learning with real-world application, including internships with industry leaders such as Walmart and Watco.
The announcement was made at the PITSCO warehouse in Pittsburg. The company offers a variety of hands-on learning science, technology, engineering, and math supplies to students around the globe, shipping to places such as Costa Rica, Kuwait, South Korea, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Lynn Murray, the Dean of the Kelce College of Business, said degrees have become increasingly important over the past four years.
"We realized that the COVID-19 pandemic taught us all that the supply chain is integral to the functioning of the United States, not only to business, but also to our personal lives," said Murray.
The demand for these types of careers is rapidly increasing with the changing global supply chain.
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 19% job growth from 2021 to 2031. Assistant Professor Byron McNay with Crossland College said it's a growing trend everywhere, not just in Kansas.
"These things affect every company, whether it's inside a warehouse, or getting things to a warehouse, or getting things to deliver to customers. So, it's something that every company deals with these, has employees that deal with these concepts that our students are in," said McNay.
The new careers will have a regional, national and international effect.
Andrew Klenke, Director of the School of Technology and Workforce Learning, says he's excited for this new opportunity.
"Whether they want to come from the business side, kind of the more analytical side, or if they're a hands-on learner, but they want to get out and work with the movement of goods and make a difference within facilities," said Klenke.
Classes for both programs are now available for enrollment this semester. The Industrial Distribution degree requires 160 hours of coursework to complete. The Supply Chain Management degree requires 33 hours for degree completion.
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