Have you ever wondered how a simple glass of lemonade travels from distant orchards to your local stand? Or considered the complex journey of a smartphone from design sketches to technological marvel? The answers lie within supply chains - those intricate yet fundamental systems that power our modern world.
Global Talent Crisis in Supply Chain Management
The supply chain industry faces an unprecedented workforce challenge as Baby Boomers retire en masse. APICS CEO Abe Eshkenazi warns: "By 2025, 60 million Baby Boomers will exit the workforce while only 40 million Millennials enter." This demographic shift creates a critical talent gap exacerbated by increasingly complex global trade networks and rising consumer expectations.
Market demands for skilled supply chain professionals far outpace the current graduate pipeline. Companies now engage in fierce competition for qualified candidates, making early career exposure essential for future workforce development.
STEM Education: The Foundation for Future Innovators
APICS addresses this challenge through its groundbreaking Supply Chain STEM Education Initiative, transforming abstract logistics concepts into engaging hands-on learning experiences. The program integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics principles with practical supply chain applications across age-appropriate activities.
Elementary Engagement: The Lemonade Stand Challenge
Young students (K-5) explore supply chain fundamentals through operating simulated lemonade businesses. Participants rotate through four key roles:
- Sourcing: Selecting suppliers for ingredients
- Production: Manufacturing the final product
- Distribution: Managing customer delivery
- Sustainability: Implementing recycling systems
Middle School Exploration: Paper Airplane Manufacturing
Students design, mass-produce and test paper aircraft while learning manufacturing principles. The activity emphasizes:
- Aerodynamic engineering
- Quality control systems
- Production line optimization
- Performance data analysis
High School Immersion: Smartphone Supply Chain Simulation
Participants manage virtual smartphone enterprises, making strategic decisions about:
- Component procurement
- Assembly processes
- Distribution networks
- Retail operations
Engineering Showcase: LEGO® Design Competitions
At STEM fairs nationwide, students prototype and test LEGO vehicle systems while learning:
- Structural engineering principles
- Performance benchmarking
- Design iteration processes
From Phoenix Pilot to Global Initiative
What began six years ago as a local project led by APICS Academic Outreach Director Cheryl Dalsin has grown into an international movement. Initial Phoenix trials engaged 600 students; today the program reaches 15,000 participants annually with plans to expand to 100,000 by 2025.
Building an Inclusive Future Workforce
APICS emphasizes diversity in supply chain careers, particularly encouraging female participation. The organization highlights the field's rapid advancement opportunities and competitive compensation compared to traditional business paths.
Through these innovative educational programs, APICS cultivates the next generation of supply chain professionals while addressing critical industry workforce shortages. The initiative represents both an investment in youth career development and a strategic solution to global talent challenges.