By Brian Dunn
Cornwall, an important logistics and distribution center in eastern Ontario, recently exhibited at a two-day conference and tradeshow organized by SCL Canada, as a way to leverage its recent growth. The two-day Supply Chain Canada conference and tradeshow brought together 1,200 supply chain, logistics and transportation practitioners from across the country. “Logistics is an important sector for Cornwall, and this conference allowed us to share our success with senior business executives from across Canada,” said Mark Boileau, Manager of Cornwall Economic Development. “Cornwall is often referred to as Eastern Central Canada’s distribution hub of choice,” said Bob Peters, Senior Development Officer, City of Cornwall, “with companies such as Walmart, Target and Shoppers Drug Mart having established regional distribution centres in the city.”
One of the panel discussions at the conference was led by St. Lawrence College of Cornwall which has recently developed a new graduate certificate program to support the growing logistics and supply chain sector. The one-year Logistics and Supply Chain Management program will be offered at the College’s Cornwall campus beginning in September. Over three semesters, students will study all facets of logistics and supply chain management from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Students will also benefit from hands-on experience and an integrated field placement during the program. “The supply chain sector in Eastern Ontario is expanding and there is a growing need for knowledgeable and highly skilled individuals in logistics and supply chain management. This new graduate program was developed in direct response to the needs of the communities we support,” said Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College.
“The supply chain is one of the most essential sectors of the Canadian economy, involving about 767,000 workers from a range of occupations and industries,” said Kevin Maynard of the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council. “We are excited about the launch of this new (St. Lawrence) program as it will ensure we will have a pool of well-trained employees for positions in our industry in the future.” Graduates may find employment as materials managers, retail and wholesale buyers, purchasing managers, strategic sourcing analysts and supervisors in materials handling, among other opportunities. The new program is the latest in a series of program offerings in the supply chain and logistics field from St. Lawrence College. Earlier, the college ran two successful eight-week “Warehouse Worker” courses and an 18-week “Supply Chain and Logistics Techniques Program” is currently underway. The Logistics and Supply Chain Management graduate certificate program is for those who have a two-year college diploma or a Bachelor’s degree.