Page 13 - Linkline Summer 2017

European Supply Chain Day
The 2017 European Supply Chain Day took place on Thursday 27th April. To mark the day CILT held three events in Cork and Dublin over the week for all our members to attend.
On Tuesday 25th April the first event, a visit to Musgave’s Group Distribution Centre was organised by the Southern Section. The tour of the wholesaler's main distribution centre in Cork gave CILT members a valuable insight into how
their advanced supply chain system works.
On Thursday 27th two events took place in Dublin. The first was organised by the Eastern Section and was a visit to EiraTech Robotics. Members were treated to a demonstration of the ‘Eirabots’ who can achieve pick rates of 600 items per hour.
The second event was a Supply Chain Expert Lecture Series in conjunction with DIT Aungier Street. This series of short 15-minute lectures had key experts discussing the main
issues facing supply chain today. Speakers on the day included Tom Ferris, Dr Waleed Abo-Hamad and Michael Lynham.
Topics discussed were investment in transport infrastructure, simulation optimisation methods in supply chain and digital transformation in supply chain. All members were happy with the events this year and CILT hopes to build on the success for the next Supply Chain Day which is on Thursday 19th April 2018.
The Quick Q&A- Dr. Eoin Plant
Head of the National Institute for Transport and Logistics,
Assistant Head; School of Transport Engineering, Environment and Planning (DIT).
How has the course been adapted to meet the challenges within the industry?
Among the many challenges facing today’s supply chain professionals, including globalisation and technology adoption, is the risk factor on the horizon in the shape of Brexit.
“Brexit is a major event that is being closely observed by organisations concerned about the potential disruption to their supply chains,” said Dr. Eoin Plant, Head of the National Institute for Transport and Logistics (NITL) at DIT.
Our research indicates that there are key skills required by supply chain managers. Knowledge and skills are both key to harnessing the benefits of supply chain management. This also requires a mix of hard and soft skills such as building relationships, managing complexity, problem solving, supply chain design, change management. The modules on the MSc are orientated to further develop student knowledge and skills in these areas. The part-time professional programme is delivered on a flexible module basis. Students usually take two to three years to complete the MSc.
How has it been fine tuned to meet the ever changing nature of the industry?
We have also seen an increased number of students undertaking dissertation research topics at the forefront of logistics and supply chain. Big data, Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, increased supply chain integration, and sustainability are becoming more prominent in student research topics.
What is the present demand for suitably qualified SCM professionals? Has there been an increasing demand in recent years?
There is high demand for qualified and experienced supply chain professionals. This is expected to increase with the potential extra complexities of Brexit.
What is the profile and demographic of students? Have you witnessed any changes?
The part-time route is very much in-demand by experienced professionals looking to fast-track and enhance their careers. Our students are from a wide variety of sectors.
The CharTered InsTITuTe of LogIsTICs & TransporT 13
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