| Details: | Oil & Gas UK in conjunction with OPITO - The Oil & Gas Academy and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), is today, 11 November 2008, launching an online education pathway for supply chain practitioners in the oil and gas industry.
The web-based Supply Chain Gateway has not only been developed to help oil and gas professionals to broaden their existing skills but also to provide a route into the profession for people wanting to pursue a career in this discipline.
It uses CIPS's established multiple entry point, structured education pathway which leads to professional qualifications from foundation level through to chartered status and an executive diploma but tailored to oil and gas industry needs. Individuals can follow three different routes, depending on their ability, experience and ambitions.
Norman McLennan, commercial & supply chain executive with Oil & Gas UK, said: "Supply chain management is a truly dynamic profession which sits at the heart of our sector's activity. The UK is a high cost basin, therefore attracting and retaining highly skilled practitioners is vital to the future success of our industry. They are the ones who create value, improve business performance and drive waste out of the supply chain. The UK oil and gas supply chain also competes in an international arena and it is because of this that supply chain business experts are highly sought after. The new pathway will be a viable tool for the industry to ensure that we have access to the best people available."
David Doig, chief executive of OPITO - The Oil & Gas Academy, added: "The oil and gas industry is a smart, sustainable career choice which provides an excellent environment for a supply chain career due to the cutting edge technology and best practice business methodology which are the envy of many other industry sectors. We are delighted to be able to support this new pathway specifically for supply chain practitioners and expect several hundred entrants to the new scheme in the first year alone. The pathway is highly endorsed by a wide range of regional & contractor trade associations and government agencies across the UK, stressing the need for and value of this new scheme to the industry."
Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher, director of learning and development with CIPS, explained:
"Excellence is the purchasing and supply chain profession is of key importance to the oil and gas industry and this initiative is a major step forward. CIPS qualifications are recognised around the world as 'the' standard for the purchasing and supply chain profession. Our ladder of qualifications offers a range of levels from the introductory leel 2 through to Executive Diploma at level 7 - so there should be a progressive path to suite everyone. We look forward to helping make the pathway a great success."
Deirdre Michie, Shell's supply chain manager for their E&P business in Europe, commented: "The pathway will be an important enabler in ensuring supply chain practitioners continue to raise the bar in terms of their professional contribution, so that they can respond effectively to the ever changing and challenging business environment this is the oil and gas industry." |
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