By Carrie Henderson
The UNC system is a major player in an initiative designed to transform industry and reinvigorate economic activity in the Triad. The focus: logistics, logistics, logistics.
Why logistics? The Triad is located within 650 miles of over half the U.S. population and major markets, which makes it a prime location to nurture the Supply Chain Logistics Transportation Management (SCLTM) industry. FedEx, FedEx Ground, Lenovo, Honda Jet, Mack Trucks, and Polo.com recently chose to relocate to the area to take advantage of the assets that exist in the region.
What can universities do? The Piedmont Triad Partnership (PTP) – the economic development organization representing the 12-county region – is working with regional universities, community colleges businesses and industry leaders to support SCLTM in the Triad. Dave Hauser, Director of Logistics and Distribution for PTP, believes support from UNC institutions is critical to the success of the industry: “PTP has been fortunate to work with individuals within the UNC system – including leaders at UNC Greensboro and NC A&T – who believe in a collaborative process, have passion for the industry and understand how to deal with people. Expertise from the UNC system strengthens our research capabilities and gives a competitive advantage to emerging workers in the industry.”
The Piedmont Triad Center for Global Logistics (PTCGL) is one major effort to strengthen the industry. The PTCGL – which already has a business plan underway – is a collaboration of the SCLTM industry, economic development agencies and the institutions of higher education. PTCGL is scheduled to open in 2011-12 and will be located on the northwest campus of Guilford Tech Community College. The Center is designed to identify needs of the growing industry, including:
UNC Greensboro is taking the lead on two projects to help meet the needs of the SCLTM industry – by managing an effort to produce a Virtual Regional Campus for Supply Chain Logistics and Transportation and supporting a mentoring program for current and future SCLTM employees.
Through PTP, the Bryan School of Business at UNCG is receiving WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) funds to create a Virtual Regional Campus: “Once established, it is our hope that the Virtual Regional Campus for Supply Chain Logistics and Transportation Management Education will become an integral part of educational offerings in the Triad. We expect this educational program to contribute to the Triad’s economic transformation through the development of workers skills in supply chain leadership and transportation management,” explains Dr. Joy Bhadury, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research at the Bryan school. The campus will allow students to take courses from all educational institutions in the Triad, providing for a more comprehensive curriculum and the ability to specialize in one area of focus.
Additionally, the Bryan school at UNCG is in the process of establishing an executive mentorship program for current and future SCLTM employees to upgrade their knowledge and skills. The proposed program would require completion of a nine credit hour, online program covering logistics, distribution, transportation, information technology and procurement. After that, the student will complete a six credit hour internship with an executive in the field. The Program Director will work with each mentor and student to foster a relationship that will be mutually beneficial. Once the program is established, it is the hope that it will become a part of UNCG’s program offerings.
Everyone involved in the project knows the stakes are high. Since 2000, the Piedmont Triad has lost over 20,000 manufacturing jobs in tobacco, textiles, and furniture. In ten years, unemployment has gone from just under three percent to nearly twelve percent. Leaders in business, education and government recognize that it will take a coordinated effort from all sectors, working together, to create change in the Triad: “We have 12 counties, 22 municipalities, 13 economic development boards, 6 workforce development boards, 17 public schools, 20 higher education institutions and over 3,000 logistics companies all working toward the same goal. Coordinating these efforts is complex, but collaboration has been absolutely critical to what we have accomplished. Our ultimate goal is to become the premier logistics center on east coast and we can’t do that without strong partnerships,” says Hauser.
For further information, please contact:
Joyendu "Joy" Bhadury, Ph.D.
Associate Dean - Graduate Programs and Research
Bryan School of Business and Economics
Univ of North Carolina at Greensboro
(336) 334-5338
OR
C. David Hauser
Director, Logistics & Distribution
Regional Aerotropolis Project Liaison
Piedmont Triad Partnership
(336) 668-4556