Supply Chain Management NVQ – A Fast Route to MCIPS

Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply has long been the benchmark for demonstration of professional Competence in the buying world. Traditionally this was achieved by college attendance or home study, followed by examinations. It could be a long and arduous route. Fewer colleges have offered this course over the years, adding travel as a further barrier to achieving the qualification.                                                                               

Recently, the NVQ route for supply chain management has grown in popularity, especially the Supply Chain Management NVQ level 4. This is a CIPS approved alternative for gaining full membership. It provides a fast route towards MCIPS. The high degree of flexibility, time efficiency and cost effectiveness has made it a very appealing option for candidates. It is also very attractive to the sponsoring employer. The work needed to be carried out by the participant to achieve accreditation, pushes the employee towards best practice in the supply chain. Purchasing is a profit generator!   

Demonstrating competence whilst doing your job is the fundamental requirement of achieving an NVQ. Candidates build a portfolio of evidence, which traditionally would have been in hard copy format. Recently, Edexcel have approved online assessment procedures. The assessor reviews the evidence against the standards for Supply Chain Management. Expert support and mentoring is provided through the whole process. The NVQ gives candidates a strong personal development structure, based on best practice for Supply Chain Management. The chartered institute of Purchasing & Supply is the lead body for the standards. As it is work-based training, the employer tends to get more immediate benefits than the traditional study route. Training is an investment and the NVQ course provides a fast and effective return.

Achieving professional recognition will enhance your career prospects!