Michelin and C of C partner to develop virtual logistics training

Charleston Regional Business Journal
May 11, 2011

The College of Charleston’s School of Business is working with Greenville-based tire-manufacturer Michelin North America to develop a professional development program focused on global logistics and transportation.

Eventually, the School of Business plans to turn the program that emerges from the partnership into a comprehensive logistics professional development program open to any business, education or government entities operating or looking to operate in South Carolina or use the Port of Charleston.

“It will be online,” said Kent Gourdin, Director of the Global Logistics and Transportation program in the School of Business. “Anyone can do it at their own pace and in their own office.”

But for the first two years, School of Business faculty will work with Michelin employees and affiliates in the virtual training course, which begins in January.

The program will focus on four general topics: import/export documentation; the Port of Charleston and U.S. customs; regulations and pricing; and operations. Curriculum could expand over the next two years as Michelin uses the program, officials said.

The School of Business already offers a non-credit intermodal transportation training course, which takes place in a classroom one evening a week for two semesters and is open to all professionals. That course will continue locally even after the school launches an online training course open to anyone, Gourdin said.

The partnership with Michelin also includes an internship program and post-graduation job placements at Michelin for College of Charleston students studying global logistics.

“Our professional development agreement is an ideal collaboration to help Michelin and other companies train their workforce, improve logistics capabilities and strengthen South Carolina’s position in global logistics,” Alan Shao, dean of the School of Business, said in a statement.

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