Professional Port Manager (PPM®) Certification Program
The AAPA Port Professional Manager Program is newly enhanced |
Purpose
The American Association of Port Authorities offers the designation of Professional Port Manager (AAPA/PPM®). The objectives are to: further the Association's goals to enhance port management professionalism and to assist public port authorities hiring or promoting qualified seaport managers and professionals; develop future port leaders by exposing up and coming staff to a wide range of port management issues, while building relationships across the port network; and, to create a body of research that will support the professional and technical objectives of the public seaport industry.
Concept
The Professional Port Manager Certification program is a rigorous curriculum based on interactive groups or classes. PPM® candidates will become part of a class (e.g., the class of 2014) that will attend programs and work together as a group. Successful candidates will "graduate" and receive PPM® certification at the conclusion of a four-year period. Depending on demand, applications will be accepted and classes will be formed every few years.
Base requirements include attendance at a set of prescribed core seminars and elective programs, active participation as a member of an AAPA standing committee, and completion of a project approved in advance by the Curriculum Committee.
The objective is to make the program a meaningful experience for candidates, enabling them to build relationships, gain practical experience, and strengthen professional credentials.
Application Requirements
- The candidate must be a full-time employee of an AAPA member Public Port Authority, Port Agency or a maritime related organization that has risen to an appropriate level within the organization. At a minimum the candidate must have management responsibilities and has held (or will have held) such management position for at least five years prior to receiving PPM® designation.
- A candidate to the program must be nominated by his/her port director or at minimum receive a letter of support from the port director.
- Selection into the PPM® program is an honor. Applicants will be reviewed, evaluated, and selected for enrollment in the program by the Curriculum Committee.
- Applicants will be enrolled in a specific "class," rather than as individuals, and will work and attend programs as a group in a term lasting four years.
AAPA/PPM® Program Requirements
AAPA/PPM® certification is based on the following requirements:
Generally, when a new class is formed, the Executive Management Conference will serve as the first program for the candidates to attend together. Candidates are also required to attend the Marine Terminal Management Training Program as a class and, to the degree possible, complete all of the following core seminars as a group:
- Facilities Engineering
- Finance
- Harbors, Navigation and Environment
- Public Relations
- Security
A schedule for core program attendance during the four-year period will be provided.
The candidate must also attend any three of the following elective seminars:
- Cruise
- Maritime Economic Development
- Defense
- Port Administration and Legal Issues
- Information Technology
- Operations, Safety & Risk Management
- Port Property Management & Pricing
Candidates enrolled in the PPM® program will receive a 20% reduction in seminar and conference registration fees for programs being taken to meet PPM® course requirements.
One of the elective requirements may be fulfilled by successful completion of a relevant non-AAPA seminar or training program, such as those sponsored by the Seatrade Organization, The International Association of Ports & Harbors, the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Council of Logistics Management, the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones, the International Navigation Association (PIANC) and the University of New Orleans, but only with the express consent of the Curriculum Committee.
- Candidates will not be required to repeat courses taken within five years prior to enrollment.
- At the conclusion of a conference or seminar, candidates must participate in a session led by a PPM® program training manager to discuss key takeaways, etc.
- The candidate must participate actively as a member of an AAPA standing committee.
The candidate must select and successfully complete one of the following projects:
- Some or all members of a class jointly complete a "project" developed with input from the Curriculum Committee and AAPA staff with the goal of providing a service either to the organization or a particular port. It could take the form of a research need for the port industry or provide assistance to a port with limited resources. The concept would involve problem solving and require the individuals in the program to work together, broadening their own port knowledge base. Project selection must be approved by the Curriculum Committee, which must also review and approve the completed work.
- Arrange for a short term "residency" of no less than two weeks at another port, AAPA headquarters, or other office approved by the Curriculum Committee to gain practical experience in how a port is resolving particular issues or to provide expertise to another port. The objective is to gain experience and expertise from another port environment and to bolster professional relationships. Candidates will be required to report back to the Curriculum Committee on their experiences from the residency.
- Prepare and present an original written paper or document on a topic that advances port management theory or practice. The paper could be an individual or group assignment. The Curriculum Committee will approve
the topic and an abstract of the paper in advance. The final written work must also be reviewed and approved by the Curriculum Committee. Upon submission, the paper shall become the property of AAPA, and the candidates shall relinquish and waive all interest, property or otherwise, therein. - Other options as approved in advance by the Curriculum Committee.
Projects and Publications Committee
The Projects and Publications Committee has oversight and overall administrative responsibility for the AAPA/PPM® program. The Curriculum Committee administers the program, in cooperation with the AAPA President.
PPM® Curriculum Committee
The Projects and Publications Committee will invite port directors or senior port professionals with appropriate levels of experience and expertise to serve on the Curriculum Committee. The Committee is also responsible for reviewing curriculum requirements for the attainment of the PPM®, as well as PPM® maintenance requirements.
The Projects and Publications Committee shall select, as members of the Curriculum Committee, port directors or senior-level directors who are acknowledged as leaders in the port industry and widely respected for their knowledge and experience. The Curriculum Committee members should be representative of AAPA's diverse ports and regions. It is intended that the Curriculum Committee will eventually be comprised of port professionals who have received the PPM® designation.
The Curriculum Committee will serve as advisors and provide opportunities for interaction with class participants.
The Curriculum Committee, supported by AAPA staff, will regularly review AAPA/PPM® program requirements. One area requiring particular continuing attention will be the identification of all non-AAPA education and training programs that are determined to be appropriate to fulfill the requirements listed in "AAPA/PPM® Requirements."
The Chairman of the Board will appoint a Chairman of the Curriculum Committee. The Committee will select a vice-chairman and organize itself, as it deems appropriate. Committee members shall serve for a minimum of two years.
PPM® Candidate Advisors
Each PPM® candidate will submit for approval by the Curriculum Committee the name of a port director or senior level port official to serve as his or her advisor. The advisor will assist the candidate in developing and completing a proposed specific curriculum, schedule and research project to be submitted to the Curriculum Committee. The Candidate Advisor should be an experienced port director and must be approved by the Curriculum Committee. It is anticipated the Candidate Advisors will themselves be PPM®s.
Maintenance of AAPA/PPM®
There will be a continuing education requirement for port managers earning the AAPA/PPM® designation, to be established by the Curriculum Committee and approved by the Projects and Publications Committee.
Certification
AAPA will provide an AAPA/PPM® certificate to each person earning the designation; will publicize the list of persons receiving the designation in AAPA publications; will recognize those earning the designation during the AAPA Annual Convention; and, encourage the port employing those earning an AAPA/PPM® designation to publicize such achievement within their port, city and region.
Effective Date
The revised PPM® program criteria and requirements apply to applications received on or after October 25, 2009. PPM® candidates enrolled in the program prior to that date may choose to complete their PPM® certification under the previous requirements or join the initial class of the revised program.
Appeals
The Projects and Publications Committee will receive and act on any appeals to decisions made during the process. Decisions of the Projects and Publications Committee may be appealed to the AAPA Board of Directors.
Fee
The Board authorizes the Projects and Publications Committee to enact such fees as are necessary to cover all costs associated with administering the PPM® program. The current application fee is $100.
Revocation of Designation
The Projects and Publications Committee may revoke the PPM® designation for the following reasons: there is determined to be a violation of the rules or other conduct not appropriate to the standards of professional port management; or the relevant PPM® requirements are not maintained. Such action may be appealed to the AAPA Board of Directors.
Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Rex Sherman
American Association of Port Authorities
1010 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 703-684-5700
Fax: 703-684-6321
E-Mail: rsherman@aapa-ports.org