It’s no wonder that positions on the frontlines of e-commerce are the number-one job on the rise right now. According to a LinkedIn jobs report, hiring for these roles has grown 73% year-over-year, and demand continues with more than 400,000 current openings. Plus, projections show that there will be as many as 600,000 more spots to be filled by 2029.

Warehouse clerks, material handlers, assemblers, forklift and machine operators, pickers, packers, truck drivers, and so many other warehousing professionals are the backbone of supply chains around the world. They ensure that products are connected with the people who need them. And amid skyrocketing e-commerce rates, these talented professionals are needed now more than ever before.

Walmart recently signaled its long-term investment in the field by putting out a call for permanent full-time and part-time order pickers, freight handlers, forklift operators, technicians and managers at more than 250 Walmart and Sam’s Club transportation offices and distribution centers. While in years past the company hired thousands of seasonal workers to support e-commerce operations, the current focus on permanent positions showcases the growing importance of expert distribution and delivery.

This demand for warehouse workers is consistent around the world too. Flipkart opened four new warehouses in India last month, creating 12,000 new job opportunities. In England, Europa Warehouse is having trouble finding the staff it needs to support its new high-tech facility. And nearly 80% of warehouse occupiers in the Asia-Pacific region plan to expand their real estate footprints within the next three years.

Become a warehousing employer of choice

Warehousing employers are well aware that competition for talent is fierce — and they’re rising to the challenge. Today’s warehouse jobs offer many perks, including a variety of shift options; flexible schedules; an average pay of $20.37 an hour; a diverse workforce; and opportunities to use high-tech equipment, such as automated storage and retrieval systems, automated guided vehicles, robots and more. Also, because of the supply-demand imbalance for workers, employers are offering hiring bonuses, wage hikes and tuition reimbursement. As a result of the “Great Resignation,” potential workers are looking for more than pay and benefits. They want to feel valued and have opportunities for career growth.

Perhaps the best way to show employees that they are valued — and worth investing in — is through education and upskilling. To that end, ASCM has launched a warehousing certificate program developed in partnership Prologis Inc., the global leader in logistics real estate, to prepare workers to fulfill the record number of warehousing jobs available now and in the future. The Supply Chain Warehousing Certificate program provides individuals with an extensive overview of warehousing, distribution, inventory management, product storage, packaging and shipment, sustainability and more.

This first-of-its-kind program includes a real-world curriculum with input from industry leaders. The 20-hour, self-paced, online course offers an extensive overview of warehousing, distribution, inventory management, product storage, packaging and shipment, sustainability, and more. The program is open to anyone, and ASCM can organize a tailored approach for groups of employees to support a corporation’s needs.

After passing the comprehensive final exam, participants will receive a printable certificate along with a digital badge issued by ASCM that can be displayed on their social media profiles. Earning this certificate shows employers that this individual has the knowledge and capability to effectively problem-solve and identify opportunities, handle shipping documents and tracking methods, improve order accuracy and efficiency, use inventory management systems, manage holding costs, make effective decisions about transportation carriers, understand KPIs, follow environmentally sustainable work practices, and Apply different performance metrics to measure the success of a facility in the warehousing and distribution industry.

Although the program is primarily designed for entry- and mid-level warehousing workers, it also provides critical knowledge for those already working in sourcing, purchasing, supplier relationship management and contract management. By earning the certificate, these team members can gain a better understanding of roles and cross-functional operations. Plus, when leaders are more attuned to warehousing best practices, they can guide their supply chain organizations to success.