Chicago — October 22, 2008 — Less than 10 percent of the procurement workforce in North America has a certification or has completed a degree program in the subject area, but academic study is not essential to develop the right set of skills for today's procurement environment, according to a new report from top industry blog Spend Matters.
In the research report, "What is Your Best Option? Procurement Certification and Training Today," Spend Matters notes, "Procurement certifications can represent not only excellent value from both time and cost investment perspectives for existing members of the profession, they can be invaluable springboards for those just getting into the procurement field."
"The cost and risk reduction skills that procurement training and certification can teach represent a smart investment in the current economic downturn," said Jason Busch, Spend Matters editor.
Based on interviews with a range of practitioners, associations and industry influencers, the report includes profiles and analyses of the certification programs offered by the Institute of Supply Management (including the new CPSM certification), Next Level Purchasing (SPSM) and the American Purchasing Society (CPP, CPPM).
The study investigates executive education programs and other options, such as online training courses. It also evaluates the general value of pursuing different types of training and certification initiatives, the specific skill sets that individuals can gain and the relative cost/benefits of each program.
Busch said that this latest Spend Matters report attempts to cut through much of the confusion in the sector, providing an objective comparison of the available options. "It will be useful for both managers investigating which training and certification approaches to consider for their team as well as individuals evaluating options to enhance their professional opportunities and improve their skill sets," Busch suggests.
Readers can download this free report (registration required) and other complimentary research studies directly from the Spend Matters Web site at http://www.spendmatters.com/pages/perspectives.cfm
In the research report, "What is Your Best Option? Procurement Certification and Training Today," Spend Matters notes, "Procurement certifications can represent not only excellent value from both time and cost investment perspectives for existing members of the profession, they can be invaluable springboards for those just getting into the procurement field."
"The cost and risk reduction skills that procurement training and certification can teach represent a smart investment in the current economic downturn," said Jason Busch, Spend Matters editor.
Based on interviews with a range of practitioners, associations and industry influencers, the report includes profiles and analyses of the certification programs offered by the Institute of Supply Management (including the new CPSM certification), Next Level Purchasing (SPSM) and the American Purchasing Society (CPP, CPPM).
The study investigates executive education programs and other options, such as online training courses. It also evaluates the general value of pursuing different types of training and certification initiatives, the specific skill sets that individuals can gain and the relative cost/benefits of each program.
Busch said that this latest Spend Matters report attempts to cut through much of the confusion in the sector, providing an objective comparison of the available options. "It will be useful for both managers investigating which training and certification approaches to consider for their team as well as individuals evaluating options to enhance their professional opportunities and improve their skill sets," Busch suggests.
Readers can download this free report (registration required) and other complimentary research studies directly from the Spend Matters Web site at http://www.spendmatters.com/pages/perspectives.cfm
