APICS and SCC merger – How does this affect certification?

In the news today, two of the largest supply chain training and certification bodies have decided to merge. APICS and SCC (Supply Chain Council) are both leaders in the industry, and well respected.

Is this a merger of equals? 

According to SCC’s website:

Both APICS and SCC believe that this combination creates a global leader in supply chain solutions, poised to benefit members, customers, partners and employees in several ways.

So what about the APICS and SCC certifications? Will one replace the other? Not according to SCC:

The SCC SCOR® model and SCOR Professional (SCOR-P) certification brands will be leveraged along with APICS’s Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) designation brands.

This sounds like they will be maintaining both certifications, as they complement each other. In fact, for those that are worried about employers recognizing one outlet over another, this merger brings them both under one umbrella, eliminating any confusion.

You will still have to decide which type of certification level to pursue, but you don’t have to worry so much about the governing body anymore.

Sounds like good news to industry professionals.  By consolidating the different supply chain bodies, they can establish a standard certification!