Initially developed by AIAG and Wayne State University (WSU), the Global Automotive Purchasing and Supply Chain Network (GAPSCN) was created to advance talent and innovation in global purchasing and supply chain management.

This unique program enhances community college, undergraduate, graduate, and adult continuing education curricula with “real world” industry case studies, best practices, knowledge assessments, and standards.

Bringing industry and academia together as partners, key components of the GAPSCN program include:

Auto Industry Certificate in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management: Spanning 23 weeks total, this multi-discipline non-degree certificate program provides participants with an in-depth understanding of supply chain topics and issues in the context of the global vehicle industry.

“Tomorrow’s Leaders Today” Executive Development Program: This program was developed to provide high-potential purchasing and supply chain executives with the knowledge and leadership skills to significantly improve their companies’ purchasing and supply chain performance. The program takes place in two distinct parts – a three-day session followed by a concluding 2-day session several months later.

WSU/GM Supply Chain Case Competition: Designed to generate interest in automotive supply chain management careers, this event brings together some of the best and brightest supply chain students from more than 20 universities around the globe in a case competition.

Community College Outreach Program: The GAPSCN program features tie-ins to junior college supply chain management (SCM) programs across the southeast region of Michigan. The primary objective of this outreach is to provide a pathway for students aspiring to convert a two year associate degree at a four year institution, traditionally a feeder program to a nearby university.

Study Abroad: The WSU Supply Chain Management (SCM) program is a leader in its area, offering four automotive and SCM oriented study abroad programs in Brazil, Poland, Italy, and China. The program also offers a concentrated 2-week purchasing course in Wuhan, China.

Applied Research: The purpose of the Research Network is to bring together industry and academic resources to collaborate on enhancing global automotive purchasing and supply chain talent development, strategy, operations, and competitiveness through innovation. Potential areas of research include future purchasing and supply chain strategy trends, the impact of technological innovation, transparency and risk, globalization, quality management, corporate responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

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