As Gerry Fay, chief global logistics and operations officer for Avnet Inc., told DC Velocity in an interview last year, talent development is a major focus for the global technology distributor. That's one reason why the company sponsors the Avnet Tech Games, a competition designed to help college students prepare for real-world business situations while competing for scholarships.

The games test students' knowledge, creativity, decision making, problem solving, and technical skills. Most of the events are technology focused, with an emphasis on software and systems design (sample titles: "Desktop Domination" and "Android App Showdown"). But two of the games will be of special interest to students of supply chain management and material handling. The JDA Supply Chain Challenge, one of the virtual games, challenges students to make decisions on forecasting, inventory management, capacity management, schedule, and pricing for a fictional satellite receiver job shop. The Robot Race Obstacle Course, one of the on-site games, asks students to design a robot that can maneuver objects through different courses—a handy skill for anyone with an interest in automatic guided vehicles (AGVs).

Registration is now open for both on-site and virtual games. The virtual games are open to college students nationwide. The on-site version of the competition will be held in Tempe, Ariz., in late April and is limited to Arizona students. For more information, click here.