Certification program revitalized

To better reflect the experience levels of our members, the certification program has been broken into two tiers.

By -- Modern Materials Handling, 7/1/2000

Over the years, the Materials Handling & Management Society (MHMS) has prided itself in offering several educational means to enhance its members' knowledge in the materials handling field. Included are educational guides, learning systems, seminars, papers, articles, and show participation.

To reward and recognize the materials handling professionals in our industry, MHMS also has offered two branches of certification: Professional Certified in Materials Handling (PCMH) and Professional Certified in Materials Management (PCMM).

But what we eventually realized is that the key contributors to our industry are practitioners with hands on experience who are well versed in the materials handling field. For those with that kind of expertise, the certification program has been revised and revitalized. Now there is a two-tier certification program and revised exams to reflect the current trends of the industry.

The recently created level of certification is the Certified Associate in Materials Handling (CAMH). This level is attainable by experienced and qualified people in our industry based on their practical experience and longevity in the materials handling field and without the requirement of extensive preparation for the exam, provided one meets the qualification requirements.

Upon becoming a Certified Associate in Materials Handling, a person can then pursue the PCMM and PCMH certifications by subscribing to any of the courses offered by MHMS or by using the study guides and reference library to achieve the degree of knowledge required for certification.

Changing business trends impact our industry and its people. Companies acquire other companies. Streamlining and downsizing are here to stay. The economy may force companies out of business.

Qualified and non-qualified people may be seeking employment for one of these reasons. Or they may be searching for better opportunities for themselves and their families. Companies are looking for qualified people to fill the few positions that may be available. Who better is there than a person recognized by the industry as a certified professional in the field?

In a bold move, our Los Angeles chapter of MHMS voted to have all 13 members of the Board of Directors become certified. They applied for the test as one unit and had an extended board meeting, during which they all took the exam, which was proctored by Steve Halpern and myself. The board is hoping that this show of interest will filter down to all members and encourage them to get certified.

If you are in sales, management, materials management, or any other material handling function and think you have the experience and expertise in this field, then become a recognized professional. It's never too late to make the first step toward certification.