Because not enough students are going into trade schools there is a shortage of people with the needed skills, according to a report on the so-called "skills gap," produced by The College of William and Mary on behalf of companies who distribute equipment for construction, agricultural, industrial and related industries.

Talent pools shared among industry competitors can benefit all companies, says a ManpowerGroup Solutions position paper, especially given that talent is often such short supply.

At 29 years of age, Katy Conrad, site lead at Shell's Geismar Chemical Plant, is a terrific ambassador for her profession. She loves everything about supply management - working with smart engineering and business professionals, solving tough problems, and making a bottom-line impact. At Shell, she has delivered significant savings, built a regional B2B sourcing strategy, and held an overseas assignment.

Analyst Insight: APQC's research indicates that organizations need to prepare for the future in terms of supply chain talent. New supply chain hires are often only somewhat prepared for the jobs they will be doing, and although most organizations recognize the need for talent management programs directed at supply chain staff, many have not created such programs. What does this mean for organizations that have large numbers of employees on the brink of retirement? - Andrea Stroud, Research Program Manager, APQC