Why obtain APICS certifications CPIM and CSCP or the new ISM CPSM certification?

In today’s competitive market, both employees and people seeking to advance their career or find a new job, may find a well recognized professional certification may provide a competitive advantage.Some people may view the certification as adding an extra level of creditability differentiating a supply chain career vs an available job.Several companies request or prefer certification when seeking new prospective employees.

If you are currently employed, take the time now to invest in your career. It may help when you are considered for a promotion, or if you company needs to make a difficult choice of what employees to retain.If you are currently temporarily unemployed or underemployed, do you think a certification would help give that edge you need?Would a certification be like having money “in the bank” in the sense you invested in yourself?

The CPIM series has 5 modules and 5 exams that include:

  • Basics of Supply Chain Management
  • Master Planning of Resources
  • Detailed Scheduling and Planning
  • Execution and Control of Operations
  • Strategic Management of Resources.

For more detail regarding content, please visit the APICS website at: www.apics.org. There is also a brief demo to view.

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The CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) has 4 modules in one exam. The modules include:

  • Module 1: Supply Chain Management Fundamentals
  • Module 2: Building Competitive Operations, Planning and Logistics
  • Module 3: Managing Customer and Supplier Relationships
  • Module 4: Using Information Technology to Enable Supply Chain Management

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The CPSM (Ceritifed Professional in Supply Management) with ISM has 3 modules and 3 exams that include:

  • Exam 1: Foundation of Supply Management
  • Exam 2: Effective Supply Management Performance
  • Exam 3: Leadership in Supply Management

If you are C.P.M. in good standing and meet the other qualifications you may take a single bridge exam.