Supply Chain Scanner - Week of May 26, 2025

Weekly blog by Emily Atkins

Professional credentials can help your logistics career – here’s how

The differences between a logistics professional with a professional designation and one without are both subtle and important. Making the effort to put your knowledge of the industry’s best practices to the test while also learning new skills and knowledge areas can be a real game changer for your career.

We may be preaching to the choir here, but if you’re already a credentialled logistics professional, please share this with your colleagues who might benefit from some professional development.
So, how does professional development help you advance? Let us count the ways!

1. Demonstrate expertise
Gaining a professional designation in the logistics field shows current and prospective employers that you have a recognized skill set in the field. The designation means you have demonstrated expertise and knowledge in the field, that adds depth to the skills you have learned on the job or in a general education program.

2. Broaden horizons
Taking courses to gain a certification can open your eyes to new parts of the industry and introduce you to people with differing backgrounds and new perspectives. While you can still specialize, taking in information from a wide variety of sources will let you broaden the scope of your problem-solving skills.

3. Improve job prospects
When you are competing for a job or promotion, having earned an industry certification can set you apart from the crowd. Not only does it show you have the skills required and knowledge of the industry, it also signals a commitment on your part to continuous learning and advancement. A candidate who has shown they want to keep learning throughout their career is a valuable asset.

4. Advance your career
Gaining industry skills mid-career is a great way to open doors for promotions and new opportunities. By adding skills you may find yourself able to take on more specialized roles and advance into leadership positions.

5. Boost earning potential
As a more valuable contributor to a business team, your worth as an employee also grows. Adding a professional credential can improve your earning potential as you qualify for more advanced or more specialized jobs.

6. Keep up with advancements
Getting – and maintaining – a professional credential means you are constantly exposed to the latest developments in the industry. It becomes second nature to keep up with technological and management advances that are driving change in this fast-paced business. It’s not only good for your career; it also keeps your brain engaged and can trigger innovation in your own work.

7. Build a network
As you work towards a professional designation, you’ll come across and collaborate with numerous like-minded professionals. These people can become a trusted network of connections within the industry who’ll you be able to count on for advice, ideas and job-hunting connections as you progress throughout your career.

8. Feel good
Learning, gaining recognition and skills and meeting fellow travellers on the road to a professional designation are all notable goals on their own, but they also contribute to a growing sense of self-worth and career satisfaction. Doing well is its own reward in many ways.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the benefits, and why take it from me? Here’s how CCLP designation holders told me they have benefited:

Nick Nanos, the chief supply chain officer and senior vice-president of change management at the LCBO (Ontario’s alcohol distributor), started work towards his designation when he was already in a leadership role. “The program did many things,” he said. “It provided a strong foundation in knowledge and reference materials related to transportation and logistics processes with a focus on efficiency and optimization opportunities.”

But there is more to it than that. “The coursework was helpful, but the networking opportunities allowed me to meet, get to know and ultimately lean on and grow with so many leaders outside my organization,” Nanos said. Nanos added that much of the framework for transport and logistics operations at the LCBO came about as a direct result of his CITT coursework many years ago.

Denise Ponte, a national account executive at Mactrans and executive advisor at CITT’s Toronto Area Council, said the CCLP designation “has connected me to a network of industry professionals who value collaboration and lifelong learning. Being part of this community has not only expanded my knowledge but also made it easier to build meaningful connections. At industry events, I’ve found the designation helps break down barriers—there’s a sense of shared experience and credibility that makes conversations flow more easily.”

For Mike Au, a retired supply chain educator, the key benefit of the CCLP designation is the confidence and self-assurance that designation holders gain as they follow the path of learning.

Join the conversation on Canada’s Logistics Community forum!

Emily Atkins
President
Emily Atkins Group

Emily Atkins is president of Emily Atkins Group and was editor of Inside Logistics from 2002 to 2024. She has lived and worked around the world as a journalist and writer for hire, with experience in several sectors besides supply chain, including automotive, insurance and waste management. Based in Southern Ontario, when she’s not researching or writing a story she can be found on her bike, in a kayak, singing in the band or at the wheel of her race car. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyatkinsgroup/