The Novus Trust is introducing a 4-year Logistics and Supply Chain BSc degree course. The first students will start their degree in September 2013 at Huddersfield University.
The new degree was created to address the shortage of graduate talent in the supply chain and logistics industry.
So far, 15 retailers, manufacturers and logistics organisations have already signed up as sponsors. The course will cover supply chain management, finance, statistics, organisational structure and methods, sociology, psychology, transport network design, warehouse design, inventory management, supply chain IT and HR management.
The core degree course will also include additional essential managerial craft skills such as leadership, people management and communication.
The trust is inviting companies to join the list of sponsors. An initial joining fee of £5000 as well as a commitment to engage with the scheme, paid placements in the holiday periods and third year and a commitment to provide at least one graduate job per year, commencing in September 2017, must be made by all sponsoring companies.
Andy Kaye, chair of the Novus Trust steering committee, said: “In creating a degree by the industry for the industry, Novus founder members will be able to tailor the course content and selection criteria of graduates into their own business recruitment strategies.
“Research is showing us that the best graduate talent knows a company before they join and that the most sought after talent has been ‘touched’ in some way by the company they accept an offer from.”
Huddersfield was chosen due to its well known first class courses in transport and logistics that it has been offering since 1984.
“The university is prepared to work closely with Novus to deliver top quality graduates with an alumni recognised globally as the very best,” continued Kaye.
“Logistics is no longer just about trucks and sheds; it has matured into a sophisticated, intellectual and vibrant industry that is underpinned by technology. The skills, capabilities and intellectual capacities of managers within the industry must keep pace with this change.”
After two years, Novus aims to expand the degree out to other universities and accommodate 450 students per year.
