Amber Road Addresses Supply Chain Management “Talent Gap”

In response the ongoing need for highly skilled supply chain management professionals, global trade management and technology services provider Amber Road recently launched “The Global Trade Academy” – concentrating on trade compliance rules and regulations.

Known principally as a provider of Global Trade Management (GTM) software and services, Amber Road promises to know offer “rich” training in the areas of customs and trade compliance, import and export management, global logistics, risk assessment and international commerce. At launch, it offers over 60 courses, spanning instructor led in-classroom and web-based training, as well as computer-based training designed for the U.S., European and Chinese markets.

These include:
•         Certified Classification Specialist (CCLS)
•         C-TPAT: Application to Validation
•         Duty Drawback Specialist (DBS)
•         Export Control Certification Specialist (EXCS)

In the Chief Supply Chain Officer Report of 2014, Supply Chain World outlined ten key topics of supply chain management practices and perceptions, with input from over 1,000 executives. Developing the professional skills required to deliver on strategic programs was cited as both a key success factor and challenge. In fact, 43 percent of supply chain executives — almost double the figure from 2011 — noted that talent acquisition and development has become much harder.

Suzanne Richer, director, trade advisory practice at Amber Road, notes that it takes years to develop global trade professionals, and talent is in very short supply.

In an interview she adds that organizations are constantly searching for ways to develop in-house talent.

“Education is the key to providing employees the tools needed to address changing regulations, trade barriers and even new trade agreements that may open markets to companies in areas of the world they are not currently doing business,” she says.