The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County, in partnership with Alvernia University and the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), has launched the Supply Chain Management Academy. This academy is designed to provide comprehensive training and preparation for professionals pursuing the APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) certification, a vital credential for supply chain managers across industries.

As the backbone of global business operations, supply chain managers play a critical role in ensuring smooth operations, minimizing disruptions, and optimizing production. The CPIM certification, recognized as the gold standard in the field, enhances an individual’s ability to improve inventory accuracy, boost forecasting, streamline the S&OP process, and effectively manage supply chain risks. With supply chain disruptions costing businesses more than $4 trillion globally, demand for skilled professionals is expected to rise by 30 percent in the next decade. The Supply Chain Management Academy addresses this need by equipping participants with industry-leading knowledge and best practices to drive their companies’ success and positively impact the greater U.S. supply chain.

“The chamber recognizes the power of partnerships between local businesses and higher education institutions like Alvernia University in ensuring our workforce remains highly skilled,” said Pam Kelly, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Montgomery County. “This Supply Chain Management Academy is a prime example of how we are helping our members upskill and adapt to the ever-changing business landscape. We are thrilled to collaborate on this initiative and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our community.”

Gaetan Giannini, Alvernia’s Vice President of Graduate and Adult Education, emphasized the university’s commitment to providing customized programs.

“Alvernia University is committed to creating opportunities for workforce development through powerful partnerships,” he said. “The Supply Chain Management Academy is just one of the many programs we are offering to meet the specific needs of industries in our region. We are excited to build on this collaboration and look forward to future offerings, including a Leadership Academy, Banking Academy, and our upcoming Entrepreneurial Academy, Accelerate Montco.”

The academy, hosted in partnership with ASCM, will prepare participants for the APICS CPIM exam through expert guidance and the APICS CPIM Learning System. The course will cover eight comprehensive modules, providing participants with insights into supply chains, sales and operations planning, demand, supply, and more. In addition to in-class instruction, participants will receive access to both digital and printed study materials.

The academy begins Sept. 25 and runs through Nov. 6. All sessions will be held at the chamber’s office in Lansdale. Register for the Supply Chain Management Academy.