Finding skilled talent is a common challenge cited by many of today’s businesses, particularly technology managers. According to a recent article by specialized talent solution and business consulting firm Robert Half, 95% of tech managers say they’re having a hard time filling positions created by company growth, skill gaps, and employee turnover.

At Acumatica, we recognize the urgent need to train the next generation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) skills. That’s why we partnered with Infinity Resources Management (IRM) in 2023 to create the Acumatica College Education Program (ACEP).

Launched last year at Farmingdale State College (FCS) SUNY on a trial basis, our ACEP Fundamentals of ERP course was developed by Dr. Jill O’Sullivan, a professor at FSC. The ERP course has already provided over 50 students with interactive Acumatica Cloud ERP training, equipping them with in-demand technical skills and opening doors to exciting job and internship opportunities.

The success of our initial courses in ERP has led to the expansion of our ERP training for college students. In fact, we’re thrilled to announce that Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, the School of Management at the University of Michigan-Flint, and the University of Hawaii Maui College are now offering Acumatica based Industry courses to their business, engineering, and technical studies students.  Students who are returning to school after the summer break and attending these academic institutions have an opportunity to participate in these courses.

So, what exactly do ACEP students get out of our business technology courses and why should it be on every college student’s class schedule? We’ll explain today.

Big Wins for ACEP Students

A Facts and Factors report notes that the global ERP software market size was worth around USD 53.77 billion in 2022, with a predicted worth of USD 123.42 billion by 2030. This tells us that businesses—whether small and mid-sized or at the enterprise level—are investing in comprehensive business management solutions at an accelerated rate. And this means they need to hire people who know what they’re doing.

Students with an ACEP course under their belt—and on their transcripts—are their target employees.

In the program, students will be taught a business and technical perspective of ERP, beginning with a deep dive into ERP’s history. They’ll learn about ERP systems’ Sales, Engineering, Inventory Management, Production Planning, Manufacturing and Production Control, and Shipping and Billing processes as well as how the integration of these processes improves control, efficiency, and profitability for manufacturing businesses.

Additional program components include:

• “Hands-on” exercises using Acumatica’s award-winning, cloud-based ERP system.
• Lessons regarding distribution and manufacturing challenges and how an ERP system can solve them.
• Training on the underlying technical concepts used in an ERP system.
• Introduction to case studies of real-life businesses that use ERP solutions.

Presented via a Learning Management System (LMS), ACEP students utilize text, graphics, videos, case studies, online exercises (using Acumatica software), and online tests. It’s a powerful course that prepares students for a workforce that is increasingly demanding highly skilled workers that can benefit businesses on day one.

Essential Skills for the Real World

In May 2024, the second ACEP class graduated from Farmingdale State College. The graduates earned an Acumatica Welcome badge as well as Business Consultant certification. In addition, upon completing the course, students are eligible for recruitment support from TwentyAI—a recruiting business that uses AI to match the right candidates with the right employers.

“[ACEP] is not just about education—it’s about molding career pathways. We’re bridging the gap between academic training and real-world employment,” says Gene Caiola, managing partner at IRM. “We’re confident that students with Acumatica Cloud ERP skills will be highly sought after in the workforce, setting them up for long-term professional success.”

Securing success for our Community while making the world a better, more inclusive place is what Acumatica is all about—and it’s what drives us to create programs like ACEP.

Says Acumatica CEO John Case, “We’re committed to providing more students with the essential skills and knowledge they need in real-world situations through firsthand experience with our innovative business technology. Our College Education Program not only empowers a new generation of digital natives with skills that are in high demand but also addresses a growing need for technical expertise to help businesses transform their operations.”

To learn more about ACEP and it’s courses in ERP (including the Fundamentals of ERP and our Digital Consulting Project at the University of Texas at Dallas), reach out to our experts today. Together, we can build the future of business.