Careers in the warehousing, distribution, and other supply chain-based fields involve a lot of moving pieces, both in the literal and figurative sense. These concepts-in-motion can be difficult things for new logistics learners to wrap their heads around until they get a real-world sense of the industry. But unfortunately for many students, practical opportunities don’t happen until as late as their internship.
But now, that’s all changing. An innovative new partnership aims to box up that tired old notion and send it packing.
The Logistics Learning Lab
The University of Indianapolis (UIndy) and Vincennes University (VU) have teamed up to provide educational training experiences and warehousing simulation exercises. The new UIndy Logistics Learning Lab, located inside the 30,000-square-foot VU Logistics Training & Education Center (VU LTEC) in Plainfield, will allow university students to participate in lab simulations using cutting-edge technology and industry-tested equipment.
University officials have announced that simulations in the lab will encompass activities like unloading, software assisted fulfillment, and operating packaging automation, transportation management, and working with other warehouse equipment.
Currently, this lab is unique among Indiana universities. According to UIndy, there are no other four-year supply chain programs where the university is offering a laboratory for the study of logistics.
“I wanted a place where students could learn about logistics outside of a classroom,” said Dr. Craig Seidelson, UIndy assistant professor of operations and supply chain management. “The easiest way to teach it is actually in a warehouse.”
UIndy supply chain management students were previously getting their first hands-on experience during their applied business projects, which they conducted in actual warehouses for companies around Indianapolis. Instructors realized this type of experience was coming too late, basically because there was too large of a jump from the classroom to the warehouse.
“The gap between the classroom and the real world was wide when it comes to logistics,” Seidelson said. “And the new UIndy Logistics Learning Lab will bridge that gap. will make them much more capable when doing their applied business projects with actual clients.”
Undergraduate students will be spending up to six hours in the lab per term, and graduate students potentially more. Simulations will be designed as a competition between teams. Instruction in the lab will be intentionally minimal to allow students to learn by doing, make mistakes, and learn from those mistakes.
Demand Ranks High, And It’s Growing
This new lab is certainly being established at the right time. Demand for individuals with warehousing and supply chain qualifications remains strong in Indiana. As a specific example, last year research firm Supply Chain Insights estimated that for every new supply chain management college graduate that enters the workforce, there are likely six open positions waiting for them. Also, up to a third of the existing workforce is already at retirement age.
On top of that, logistics and distribution firms throughout the state have been growing. Quite a few large investments and jobs announcements have come over the last few months.
Could Be A Hands-On Trend
With the need for a deeper understanding of supply chain industry activities, the new school of thought regarding greater hands-on opportunities for learners could be the start of a trend. A more efficient way to educate the future workforce and equip them with practical knowledge is likely to catch on with other programs quickly. Logistics is all about efficiency, after all. It’ll be interesting to see what universities develop next to meet the needs of the industry.
