Groups launch new certificate programs

By Toby Gooley -- Logistics Management, 4/1/2005

As more companies embrace the concept of supply chain management, professional education needs have had to keep pace. One indication of the changing educational landscape was the Council of Logistics Management's decision to change its name to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).

Another indicator of that shift is the advent of certification programs in supply chain management. Last month, APICS The Association for Operations Management said that it would launch its Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) program later this year. The program is designed for people who are already working in supply chain management, are working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, or who simply need to become more knowledgeable about the supply chain concept. The course will incorporate a blend of self-directed, Web-based, and classroom study. Curriculum details will be announced at the group's annual educational conference in October.

APICS, which focuses on production, inventory, enterprise, and supply chain management, currently administers two similar programs: Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified in Integrated Resource Management (CIRM). More than 80,000 professionals hold the CPIM designation, and more than 4,000 have earned the CIRM certificate.

In January, the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced that it would launch a Retail Supply Chain Certification (RSCC) program in conjunction with Accenture, the global consulting firm. The 50-hour course, designed to be completed in 12 months, places heavy emphasis on developing inventory management and forecasting skills. The curriculum covers six topics: statistics, probability, and simulations; supply chain fundamentals; inventory management; forecasting and planning; performance metrics; and process integration and knowledge management.

RILA is an alliance of large retailers, representing more than $1 trillion in annual sales and operating more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers nationwide.

For more information about APICS certification programs, go to www.apics.org. Information about RILA's certification program is available at www.retail-leaders.org.