Wayne State/AIAG Automotive SCM Certificate Program offered in hybrid format for 2023
Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business, in cooperation with the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), will offer its 10th annual Auto Industry Certificate in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management training program in a hybrid format for 2023. Classes will be held from Feb. 9 to May 11 and Aug. 31 to Nov. 30. Sessions will be conducted simultaneously in person and virtually via Zoom, making the program readily available to participants far beyond Southeast Michigan.
The non-degree certificate program was designed to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of supply chain topics and issues in the context of the global auto industry. In addition to exploring new manufacturing and logistics technologies, participants will learn about a broad range of vehicle industry-oriented supply chain management (SCM) topics: SCM strategy, SCM finance, forecasting, negotiations, procurement strategy, supplier development, corporate responsibility, cybersecurity, risk management, production operations, quality management processes and Six Sigma, trade management, logistics and transportation management.
Each year, the program has about 25-35 participants from companies such as Ford, GM, Stellantis and many leading Tier-1 suppliers and 3PLs. This program is intended for high-potential candidates from a variety of vehicle industry OEM, Tier 1 and sub-tier, 3PL, service and carrier organizations. Typically, students perform manufacturing, marketing, engineering, purchasing, logistics, or trade management functions and may be relatively new to supply chain functions, or may have previously attended other supply chain programs not focused on vehicle industry issues.
“We have witnessed a strategic transformation of the automotive supply chain in recent years,” said Ilitch School Associate Professor of Global Supply Chain Management John Taylor. “The rate of innovation in vehicle design, advanced manufacturing, and engineered materials has been truly remarkable and necessitated the creation of an unprecedented collaboration between industry and academia. We are fast-tracking future purchasing and supply chain leaders into industry assignments, saving time and expense often required to retrain entry-level professionals, and positively impacting employee retention rates.”
The program is offered over 23 weekly sessions in the winter and fall with break weeks built into the schedule. There is a three-month break in the summer when participants will work on a company-related project. Course sessions will take place on Thursdays from 3:30-7 p.m. ET. Since networking is an important component of the class, participants within 50 miles of AIAG headquarters in Southfield are encouraged to attend in person at least 80% of the time.
For more information about the program and the application process, view the 2023 brochure (pdf) or contact Ilitch School Assistant Professor of Global Supply Chain management Lori Sisk at 586-764-3139 or ap4585@wayne.edu.
About Global Supply Chain at Wayne State University
The programs in Global Supply Chain Management at WSU’s Mike Ilitch of Business are ranked among the top 25 in the U.S. by Gartner Research. The Global Supply Chain Management program focuses on the auto/vehicle industry with dedicated full-time faculty members and a number of industry expert adjuncts providing teaching and research expertise.
About AIAG
The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) is a unique not-for-profit organization where companies in the mobility industries have worked collaboratively for more than 40 years to drive down cost and complexity in the supply chain. AIAG membership includes leading global mobility manufacturers, their part suppliers, service providers, and associated global organizations, and government entities.
