Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, CPA, CAE
APICS CEO

    Monday, President Obama invoked the power of innovation to spur U.S. jobs and support an economy that is stronger and more resilient than before the recession. “We know that in the global economy—where there’s no room for error and there’s certainly no room for wasted potential—America needs you to succeed.”

    President Obama delivered his speech at Hudson Valley Community College, in Troy, New York. He unveiled his administration’s strategy for promoting new jobs, new businesses, and new industries—and the plan relies on tapping “innovative potential” in areas such as the Internet, basic research, entrepreneurship, and health care.

    “We know that the nations that out-educate us today will out-compete us tomorrow. The ability of new industries to thrive depends on workers with the knowledge and the know-how to contribute to their fields,” he said.

    Part of President Obama’s plan focuses on education. He aims for the United States to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world, and he sees community colleges as playing a major role. The initiative proposes enabling community colleges to help an additional 5 million Americans earn degrees and certificates in the next decade.

Working potential

Obama’s message resonated with me because it is consistent with the APICS mission to build knowledge and skills in operations management professionals to enhance and validate abilities and accelerate careers. APICS helps its members and their organizations to successfully compete and build a stronger global economy.

    Education is at the core of what we do. The APICS body of knowledge is comprehensive and supports not only operations management and supply chain professionals working in a manufacturing environment, but also those in other work settings. APICS education and certifications help ensure individual career viability, agility, and corporate success.

    APICS education is delivered to operations and supply chain professionals through an extensive distribution channel that includes higher education institutions such as community colleges, chapters, and international partners. In North America, 239 chapters conduct APICS training. Internationally, APICS works with 59 associates and authorized education providers to deliver education. APICS instructors, working through these partners, bring to their students extensive on-the-job experience as either practitioners or consultants. Partners and their instructors act as enablers of APICS education. However, they also facilitate interaction between students, and the sharing of their experiences maximizes the “innovation potential” of APICS education.

    The call to action is clear, not just for Americans, but for operations and supply chain professionals across the world. To compete in the global economy, you must be engaged in active learning throughout your career. No matter what channel you use for your APICS education and certification, the end result remains—you are better equipped to contribute to your field and tap your innovative potential. President Obama is right when he urges workers to “shape a brighter future.”

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