Based at the recently restored Upminster Court in the London Borough of Havering, the academy has developed a range of courses focusing on key issues within the supply chain as well as concepts such as T-shaped management training and the development of the ‘intrapreneur’.
In his launch address Lord Digby Jones told guests, including some of the academy’s first clients - Marks and Spencer, Samsung and DP World - as well as partners from the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, that Britain needed to defend the illustrious merchant and industrial history that generated the country’s wealth and respond to the challenges of India and China as they move into positions of market dominance.
One of the keys to success was the development of a skilled workforce; particularly at middle to executive manager levels, and it was from this base that recovery and successful global competition would grow.
He said: “This academy makes a statement and the statement is that learning and skills development is critically important. The Supply Chain Academy is an inspirational venue to for those new to business and for those for whom business is deeply ingrained.”
The Programme Director at the Supply Chain Academy is Zen Yaworsky. He explained how the concept of the new T-shaped management training directly addressed the challenges posed by the global economy as routes to market become increasingly complicated.
The concept focused on giving executives, who already had a high degree of expertise in particular areas of supply chain management, a wider knowledge of all elements of the process to enable them to work collaboratively in all areas of their business.
In developing ‘intrepreneurs’, the Supply Chain Academy will work with managers who have commercial energy and inspiration to turn their ideas and innovation into profitable ventures within their companies.
“Our vision is to support industry, not only through developing high-level practice but by unifying capabilities across the supply chain,” said Yaworsky. “We want to encourage ‘intraprenuerialism’. We want to give industry the tools to release value from their supply chains.”
He added: “The Supply Chain Academy will not be confined to Upminster Court and we will reach out to over a million customers through distance learning technology. Our intention is to focus on high end, high quality learning and skills development for high performing senior teams and players.
“These are the people driving the globalisation of business and revenue flows.”