The economic growth of Canada during 2021 – 2026 is expected to be around 6.25% according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) and due to a spurt of Investment by the Canadian Government and Multinational Corporations; the manufacturing sector is on a roll. Consequently, the Supply Chain Industry has tremendous potential for organic growth for the next 5 years.
Canada’s supply chain allows the movement of goods worth $1 trillion and is ranked in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index as among the top 20 nations. Canada’s standard of living is due to its world class supply chain infrastructure.
Supply Chain Management consists of the following functions:
- Procurement
- Purchasing
- Strategic Sourcing
- Contract Management
- Materials Management
- Inventory
- Warehousing
- Inbound Logistics
- Outbound Logistics
The common job roles in the Supply Chain Industry are as follows:
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Supply Chain Managers
- Logistics Executive
- Logistics Analyst
- Logistics Manager
- Procurement Executive
- Procurement Managers
- Purchase Executive
- Purchase Managers
- Strategic Sourcing Managers
- E-Sourcing Consultants
- Transportation Managers
- Distribution Managers
- Warehouse Managers
- Purchasing Agents and Officers
- Freight Forwarding Agent
- Customs Clearing and Shipping Broker
- Truck Drivers
As per Canada’s Industrial Chamber of Commerce, there were around 920,473 jobs in the supply chain sector labor force within Canada in 2021.
Due to the high level of investment in the manufacturing industry, acute labor shortages are expected in the supply chain sector.
Here are the top 3 supply chain certifications in Canada that will help you hone the skills required to enter the Supply Chain Industry.
1. Certified Supply Chain Specialist (CSCS) offered by the International Institute for Procurement and Market Research (IIPMR)
The CSCS Certification offered by IIPMR is an online program that offers laser focused curriculum that gears you up to establish a career in Supply Chain Industry in Canada. Taught by senior leaders from companies such as Walmart, Apple, HP and IBM, the CSCS designation is preferred by most manufacturing companies located in British Columbia, Vancouver, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Ontario. Globally recognized and with members from 75+ Countries, the CSCS Certification is the go-to program for those seeking to catapult their supply chain career growth in Canada.
Eligibility Criteria: Graduate with 1 year of supply chain work experience is required to be eligible
Program Fee: $600 (Includes Online Exam)
Duration: 2 Months
Methodology: Online
Validity: The CSCS Designation is valid for life time as IIPMR offers free life time updates by means of regular Webinars on Latest trends and upcoming software tools.
Further information can be found here: https://www.iipmr.com/education/cscs.html
2. Supply Chain Management Professional (SCMP) certification offered by the Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) in Canada
The SCMP Certification is ranked 2nd in terms of employer preference, affordability of fee, course curriculum and the number of members having completed it.
SCMP is taught in a span of 13 weeks with one 3-hour class per week (Total 39 hours)
The modules consist of Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics & Transportation, Operations & Process Management, Global Sourcing and SCM Management for Public Sector.
Eligibility Criteria: Any graduate can sign up for this training. Work experience is not mandatory.
Program Fee: $1150 (Includes Online Exam)
Duration: 3 Months
Membership Fee: $400 (Membership is mandatory in order to enroll for the SCMP training)
Methodology: Online as well as Instructor led classes.
Validity: 5 years.
Further information can be found here: https://www.supplychaincanada.com/education-and-training/scmp-modules
3. Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) offered by Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM)
ASCM offers CSCSP Certification and is the third most preferred Certification by recruiters and well accepted by the Supply Chain Industry in Canada.
ASCM is a subsidiary of American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS).
The CSCP covers a wide range of topics such as Supply Chain Design, Planning & Execution and Supply Chain Best Practices.
Eligibility Criteria: A Bachelor’s degree with 3 years’ work experience is required in order to be eligible.
Program Fee: $1380
Exam Fee: $965
Membership Fee: $180 per year (Membership is not mandatory to enroll for CSCP)
Methodology: Print and Digital course materials are provided. Option to choose Instructor led classes in select cities or Online self-paced learning.
Duration: It can be completed at your own pace since it involves self-paced learning. Typically takes 3 to 4 months for exam preparation.
Validity: 5 years.
Further information can be found here: https://www.apics.org/PartnerCatalog/APICSPartner?ID=2700
