- Lenovo and Bellevue University partner to launch a supply chain education program, integrating real-world case studies into a master's-level curriculum.
- Ben Massie and Dr. Rich Lombardo lead the collaboration, aiming to upskill the global workforce amid a digital talent shortage in supply chain management.
- Program offers certificate of completion, digital badges, and graduate credits, preparing students for high-demand roles with practical, AI-driven insights.
Lenovo, the world technology leader, ranked in the top 10 of the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25, and Bellevue University, among the country's leading online universities, are partnering to create the next crop of supply chain leaders.
We think bringing actual Global Supply Chain experience and learning straight into an education curriculum is exactly the best way to skill up the workforce of the future," commented Ben Massie, Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Lenovo. "Partnering with Bellevue enables us to recruit the right people with the right technology and achieve our vision of making 'smarter technology for all' a reality.
As one of the top higher education institutions chosen to partner with Lenovo to provide supply chain short-term learning, Bellevue will utilize the breadth and depth of Lenovo's supply chain know-how across its diverse learner and corporate partner ecosystem.
Massie added, "With a network of more than 30 manufacturing facilities in nine markets, Lenovo's supply chain is one of our greatest assets". By integrating our actual case studies and expertise into the curriculum, we seek to empower the students with the competencies to thrive in the dynamic and intricate working world. Collaboration with Bellevue University, which has a history of close collaboration with organizations, enables us to impart our expertise and collectively construct the future supply chain practitioners.
As per a 2024 McKinsey & Company report, a lack of talent, especially digital talent, continues to be a bottleneck for firms' supply chain transformation initiatives. Ninety percent of firms polled in the report stated that they do not have adequate talent to achieve digitization objectives.
Now, those who sign up for the Supply Chain Operations & Project Management Certificate of Completion can acquire highly desirable skills in two three-credit courses Management of Supply Chain Operations and Advanced Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. The master's-level courses are eligible to be taken simultaneously, enabling students to finish the certificate of completion in less than eight months.
"In a strong commitment to employee development planning, we're particularly well-suited to assist adult learners and the employers we work with to upskill or reskill their supply chain employees", added Dr. Rich Lombardo, Executive Director of Bellevue University's Workforce Skills Academy. "Together, we can guarantee that the future workforce has the capabilities and intelligence necessary to navigate the intricacies that constantly surround global supply chains".
Lenovo leadership in global supply chains offers one source of learning for students and business professionals to see how diversification of manufacturing facilities and supply chain capabilities keeps businesses successful even through volatile times a tested, real-world environment for students to put their education into practice. Lenovo also implements novel AI solutions within its own operations, prioritizes sustainability, and leads critical, end-to-end cybersecurity solutions.
Dr. Lombardo also said that individuals who finish the Bellevue-Lenovo program will earn two digital badges, a completion certificate, and six graduate-level hours that they can apply toward a master's degree.
