subject: Supply Chain Trainings [print this page] Supply Chain training is available locally and internationally for all aspects of the supply chain for everyone, irrespective of their current level of achievement. In fact, the amount of choice is overwhelming. Courses and workshops are delivered electronically by e-learning, distance learning, home DVDs, webinars and in the classroom. Events and conferences are held in most developed countries on a regular basis to keep a person up to date with the latest thinking and trends.
If you are starting out in supply chain, there are courses available on the supply chain "foundation skills". This will cover the concepts and processes, the tools and techniques of supply chain management. This provides a base to build on and will highlight areas of interest for further study.
Topics include planning which spans the entire scope of the supply chain. The functional areas listed vertically above are underpinned by inventory management and customer service management. All these topics have available training at entry level through to professional competency.
Anyone considering undergoing training in any of these functional areas should first establish the reputation of the institution and the relevance of the course material. Look for certification of courses by the association that endorses the course content, e.g. Institute of Supply Management (ISM), Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or The Association for Operations Management (APICS).
Many academic institutions and business schools provide graduate and post-graduate training in supply chain management, some specialize by industry sector or by technical content. In the USA, W.P Carey Business School at Arizona State and Rutgers Business School are two of these. These institutions will try to anticipate evolutions in supply chains and apply creative thinking to produce workable solutions. A noticeable trend is the transition from an industrial operation to a more scientific and technology driven one. This implies a substantial change in logistics practices between supply chain partners as they struggle to establish efficient and effective solutions for end-customers.
As with all professions, leadership is taught with particular reference to the overall function of supply chain. Leaders in this context learn how to integrate all aspects of the supply chain for optimum performance. Advanced technical skills such as "lean" manufacturing and Six Sigma are taught to enable employees to implement solutions that lead to value creation for their organizations. Experienced people with abilities in computer simulation, financial modeling and statistical analysis will be increasingly sought after. With the advent of the many different ways of delivering the training, everyone can find a medium to suit themselves. Supply chain training can benefit all those working in the profession to advance their career.
