Supply chain degree scheme collects two national prizes
NOVUS receiving their CILT Award for Excellence
Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:05:00 BST
The NOVUS Scheme, created to develop the next generation of supply chain professionals, wins two major awards and is now up for a third
AN innovative University of Huddersfield course, which is run in collaboration with some of the biggest names in the field of logistics, has won two important industry awards in rapid succession and is now bidding for a third.
The run of success means that after two years, the partnership named NOVUS – which guarantees a career-boosting job to its graduates – is established as a major factor in developing the next generation of supply chain professionals, who are vital to modern industry.
First came a prize for the Wincanton Supply Chain Innovation Project of the Year at the 2014 Retail Week Supply Chain Awards. Just a week later, NOVUS won the Development of People prize, sponsored by Syncreon, at the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Annual Awards for Excellence.
Now the scheme has been shortlisted for the 18th European Supply Chain Excellence Awards, organised by Supply Chain Standard in association with PwC. NOVUS competes in the Training and Professional Development category, and is bracketed with major players including Vodaphone, DHL, Unilever and Sky. This ceremony takes place on 5 November at London’s Hilton Hotel.
University of Huddersfield Senior Lecturer David Leach, who is programme director for NOVUS, is delighted by the sequence of success at awards ceremonies. After the programme was shortlisted for the Supply Chain Standard awards he travelled to London to give an hour-long presentation to judges. They expressed surprise that NOVUS had been underway for just two years.
“The two awards we have won so far play to the strengths of the scheme,” said Mr Leach. “The first reflects the innovative nature of NOVUS and the fact that it is a collaborative project right across the industry. The second award cuts right to the heart of the purpose of the scheme, which is to develop the next generation of supply chain leaders – identifying them, training them and developing them.”
Industry backing
The NOVUS programme at the University of Huddersfield is accredited by CILT and now has the backing of more than 30 companies. They have contributed to the curriculum and provide mentoring, work placements and other opportunities to students. And once students have successfully completed their degree courses, they are guaranteed graduate-level jobs in the supply chain sector.
Representatives of several of the firms who are partners in the NOVUS project joined Mr Leach at the awards ceremonies. Andy Kaye, who is CEO of BiS Henderson and Chair of the NOVUS Steering Group – expressed his delight when the Retail Week Supply Chain award was announced.
“This means a great deal to all those in the industry who have supported the development of the NOVUS Trust,” said Mr Kaye. “I’m delighted that this collaborative, industry-wide initiative to offer students a degree course in supply chain management with a guaranteed job at the end, has been acknowledged as innovative within the sector through such a prestigious award.”
Mr Leach believes that the awards success shows how NOVUS is gaining increasing recognition and momentum within the industry. He expressed his thanks to the companies who have supported the scheme so far and now believes that it will attract even more corporate sponsors.
