Providing a new opportunity for students interested in pursuing careers in the essential field of logistics, Lone Star College-CyFair is collaborating with the University of Houston (UH) College of Technology.
This month, 83 students enrolled in LSC-CyFair’s Business Administration and Logistics programs are now taking the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) online certificate courses through the UH Supply Chain and Logistics Technology Program.
This opportunity is available through a pilot program funded with a Port Houston $50,000 grant awarded to the UH program, which was recently selected as the inaugural CILT Center in North America.
The focus, of this now globally-recognized credential program, is on addressing gaps in skill sets and helping area students become more marketable to fill those gaps, said UH Supply Chain and Logistics Technology Program Director Margaret Kidd.
“It is relevant that our workforce has the necessary skills to keep our region competitive,” she said. “Our program plays an integral part in preparing the next generation of workers.”
Among the LSC-CyFair students participating in CILT certification program are Robert Sistrunk, who, regretting he never earned a degree, registered for LSC-CyFair’s Logistics Management Program at age 52; Merissa Galaviz, a 24-year-old mother pursuing an associate degree at LSC-CyFair and then a bachelor’s degree in supply chain at UHD; and Deon Conway, who has been working in the logistics field for 20+ years.
“Because of COVID-19, I lost my job in 2020. While going through the job search process, I noticed how important certificates can be,” said Sistrunk. “I'll finish up my AAS degree this semester, and with the CILT certificate, there will be more opportunities available to me and I'll have more knowledge to provide to a future employer.”
In researching logistics as a possible career, Galaviz found a demand for more women to enter the typically male-dominated industry and almost everything has something to do with logistics. She said obtaining additional certification is great to have under one’s belt and this will help expand her knowledge on international logistics as well.
“By taking classes at Lone Star, I have moved into different roles at my current job. I believe this certification will help provide a better understanding of Supply Chain Management. This will and can take me abroad if I choose to,” said Conway.
LSC-CyFair’s Logistics Management Program is one of a variety of workforce programs offered to those interested in skilled-labor careers that play a vital role in the economy. Logistics offers options for positions that drive operational excellence, cost reduction, and customer service to an organization's bottom line.
“All our workforce programs focus on helping students achieve their career goals,” said Dr. Claire Phillips, interim vice president of instruction. “We do that through our faculty, who provide industry experience and engagement with real-world scenarios; through assistance in securing hands-on internship opportunities; and through partners, like the University of Houston, with new course options that allow students to learn skills which can quickly and effectively prepare them for employment.”
For information on LSC-CyFair's Logistics Management Program, email Ellen.D.Junious@LoneStar.edu