New Certificate Program to Address Warehousing Worker Shortage

The number of workers in the US warehousing and storage subsector has reached record highs, with more than 1.4 million workers supporting the industry currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. But it’s not enough, experts in the sector say.

The transportation, warehousing and related fields—which were the second-highest jobs growth sector in the United States during August—are projected to have 600,000 new openings by 2029.

In response, the Association for Supply Chain Management has launched a new warehousing certificate program developed in partnership with Prologis, which offers extensive training on its own, to prepare workers to fulfill the record number of warehousing jobs available now and in the future. 

The Supply Chain Warehousing Certificate program provides individuals with an extensive overview of warehousing, distribution, inventory management, product storage, packaging and shipment, sustainability and more.

“The use of e-commerce skyrocketed at the beginning of the pandemic when we went on lockdown and then kept rising even when in-person shopping was possible,” ASCM CEO Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, CPA, CAE, said in prepared remarks. 

“Additionally, the industry has had to shift from just-in-time to just-in-case resulting in more warehouses than ever before. The skills covered in this program are essential for supply chain professionals in the warehouse and out.”

Certificate Designed for Entry, Mid-Level and Experienced Workers

“The ongoing labor shortage is creating havoc with the supply chain and in communities across the nation,” Steven Hussain, vice president of workforce programs and community relations, Prologis, noted in prepared comments. “This program provides jobseekers a solid foundation to begin their logistics career and gives them a competitive advantage in the job market. 

This is a real-world curriculum designed with input from industry leaders. The program will help logistics companies find the talent they need to continue to grow and meet the evolving demands of the modern economy.”

The ASCM Supply Chain Warehousing Certificate program is beneficial for entry- and mid-level warehousing workers but also suitable for professionals already working in sourcing, purchasing, supplier relationship management or contract management as well as individuals looking to get into the supply chain field. There are no prerequisites for the program.

Individuals who complete the 20-hour online self-paced course and pass the comprehensive 60-question final exam will receive a printable certificate along with a digital badge issued by ASCM that can be displayed on their social media profiles.