Supply chain software company Blue Yonder has partnered with Monash University to deliver practical supply chain management skills for aspiring retail managers.
The core element of the partnership is the ‘Space Planning Education Program,’ which provides students in the Business School’s Retail Management stream with hands-on work experience and additional pathways into the workforce.
The program was designed in collaboration with Department of Marketing Retail Management Principles Unit Coordinator Karen Lurati, and Blue Yonder Director of Customer Success in Australia, Matt Furlong.
“The partnership with Monash University provides students with an opportunity to learn realistic and job-ready skills on a market leading solution,” Furlong said.
“The world has shifted in the last year with consumers becoming even more aware of the importance of supply chain management, and retailers implementing advanced technologies into their solutions as a result. Monash Marketing students now have the advantage of working with this technology to gain the experience and skills required in a category management position, thereby improving their chances of potentially obtaining a job with Blue Yonder’s customers,” he said.
He revealed that this is the first such partnership between Blue Yonder and a university in the APAC region.
Under the program, students will apply real-world skills in a simulated retail environment through a specially modified version of Blue Yonder’s retail planning solutions.
Three top-performing students from the program, Miller Anderson, Amy Khuu and Amelia McGrath, were awarded the opportunity to undertake a two-day intensive course of accredited training in Blue Yonder solutions to further develop their skills and expand their career opportunities.
“I’m a visual learner, so to have the opportunity to apply our knowledge to real-life practical situations and interact with industry professionals was a great experience,” McGrath said.
“The focus on teaching practical, industry-specific skills not only boost student’s morale, but also adds value to Monash Business School’s Retail Management courses by providing real-life experience with innovative software applications and solutions,” added Lurati.
“This will be beneficial to those graduating students looking for employment opportunities. Overall, it’s been a very positive experience for all and I’m confident the partnership will continue next year,” she said.
Source: Blue Yonder