Students in First Supply Chain Management Class Pass National Test
All 17 students inHFC's very first Supply Chain Management (SCM) course recently passed the Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) examination, which is a nationally-recognized credential in the field. The SCM is a new program implemented for the fall 2015 semester and is quickly developing into a program of interest among students.
“That is a 100 percent pass rate, which is unbelievable. In addition, this is the very first course in the SCM program, which introduces students to the field of SCM. They must take this national certification exam to pass this course (BSC 110: Introduction to Supply Chain Management – the first course in HFC’s SCM curriculum), which demonstrates their proficiency in nine specific areas,” said HFC Business Instructor/SCM Program Coordinator Douglas Langs.
The nine areas in which students must demonstrate their proficiency are as follows:
- Global supply chain logistics life-cycle;
- Logistics environment;
- Material handling equipment;
- Safety principles;
- Safe material handling and equipment operations;
- Quality control principles;
- Workplace communication;
- Teamwork and workplace behavior to solve problems; and
- Computer proficiency.
The CLA exam is a 90-minute test assessed by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). The minimum passing score imposed by the MSSC is 75.9 percent. According to Langs, the lowest grade in his class was 78 percent. The CLA exam served as the final exam for BSC 110, which is an eight-week class.
“Mr. Langs did a good job of preparing us for the CLA exam. He really pounded it into our heads, so you wouldn’t forget anything. If you don’t take this class, you have a 51 percent chance of passing the CLA exam. If you do take this class, you have a 78 percent chance of passing the CLA exam. If you take this class with Mr. Langs, you have a 100 percent chance of passing,” said HFC SCM student Jacob Morrish, of Allen Park, who scored 94 percent on the CLA exam.
Fellow HFC SCM student Joseph Stortz, of Dearborn, agreed with Morrish. Stortz scored a 90 percent on the CLA exam.
“Mr. Langs is an excellent teacher who’s really fired up about his subject. He wants to see everyone pass the big exam at the end of the eight weeks. That's why he is always on you about doing the online tests and going back over (the material) again and again. It’s a fun class and it’s a lot of information in such a short period of time, but if you put your nose to the grindstone and do what Mr. Langs tells you to do, then any future students can be CLA-certified,” said Stortz.
The SCM program was launched this past fall through HFC’s Business and Computer Technology Division. A 60-credit hour associate degree in SCM is available, as well as a 31-credit hour SCM Technician Certificate.
For students and incumbent workers, job growth in the field of logistics and SCM is growing much faster than average, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay for a logistician—an individual who analyzes and coordinates an organization’s supply chain—was $72,780 per year in 2012.
“I’d recommend this program because it’ll advance me in my career,” said HFC SCM student Yesenia Colon, of Detroit, who scored an 89 percent on the CLA exam.
Currently, Langs has 16 students enrolled in BSC 120: Technical Knowledge of Logistics, which is the next eight-week course in the SCM program. It ends Dec. 14. At the end of that course, the students have to take the Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) exam, which is also assessed by the MSSC. The MSSC CLA and CLT exams focus on the core skills and knowledge required by the nation’s front-line material handling workers across all supply chain facilities, based upon industry-defined and federally-endorsed national standards.
“The CLA and CLT credentials are earned before students even achieve the SCM Technician Certificate or their two-year associate degree in SCM. The CLA gives students a solid foundation in SCM and prepares them for additional SCM courses at HFC,” said Langs.
Businesses and students are encouraged to explore the exciting and growing field of SCM at HFC. Students can now register for SCM classes for the winter 2016 semester. For further information about the SCM program, contact Langs at 313-845-6363 or via email at dlangs@hfcc.edu.