Supply Chain Course – QLS Level 1 Certificate

BOLC Academy offers a practical Level 1 supply chain course for learners who want to understand how organisations plan, coordinate and deliver products to customers. You will explore the essential links between suppliers, production teams, logistics providers and end users, before looking at the planning decisions that keep goods and materials moving.

This flexible online certificate course is designed for people starting their supply chain learning, as well as employees seeking a clearer understanding of the wider operation. Browse our complete online course catalogue to compare study options, or explore the Supply Chain and Logistics course collection for further specialist training.

Across three structured modules, you will examine the purpose of supply chain management, the value of demand forecasting and aggregate planning, and the relationship between manufacturing, delivery, budgeting and logistics. The course introduces concepts you can recognise in purchasing, stock coordination, production support and distribution work without assuming prior management experience.

Why Study Supply Chain Management?

A supply chain is the network of people, organisations, information and activities involved in obtaining materials and bringing a product or service to its destination. When purchasing decisions, production schedules and deliveries are poorly coordinated, the consequences may include delays, avoidable costs, excess stock and dissatisfied customers. Understanding how these activities connect is therefore useful even in roles that focus on only one stage of the process.

Our Level 1 course concentrates on foundational operational knowledge. You will learn to recognise where information needs to be shared, how demand influences planning, and why cost awareness matters when coordinating goods. These foundations can help you communicate more confidently with colleagues in purchasing, production and distribution, while providing a sensible starting point for further study.

What You Will Learn

• Describe the principal stages and participants in a business supply chain.
• Explain how suppliers, employees, production teams and logistics partners contribute to customer delivery.
• Recognise the purpose of forecasting, aggregate planning and coordinated supply chain decisions.
• Outline the relationship between manufacturing schedules, delivery operations and market needs.
• Identify how budgeting and cost control influence everyday supply chain choices.
• Distinguish introductory supply chain management responsibilities from specialist logistics and procurement roles.

Online Study and Course Information

Study online with BOLC Academy at a pace that fits around your existing commitments. The programme is open for enrolment throughout the year and includes approximately 80 hours of learning. No particular entry requirements are specified for this Level 1 course. You can work through the three modules progressively and revisit the underlying concepts as you build your understanding.

The course is intended as a foundation in supply chain management, not a substitute for advanced operational training or the professional experience required to take responsibility for complex supply networks.

Progressing Your Supply Chain Knowledge

Once you understand the three foundational subjects, you may wish to explore more detailed coverage of supply chain drivers, risk and best practice through our Level 2 Supply Chain Management Certificate . For a broader discussion of supply chain roles and responsibilities, read our guide to the role of a supply chain manager .

To explore how this knowledge connects with career responsibilities, see our guide to becoming a supply chain manager . The article provides background reading alongside the syllabus.

Start Learning with BOLC Academy

Develop a clearer understanding of supply chain operations, from the people involved to the planning and delivery decisions that connect them. Enrol in the Level 1 Supply Chain Course and begin building the knowledge for your next learning step.

Module 1 - Introduction to Supply Chain Management

Begin by examining what a supply chain is and why it matters to organisational performance. You will look at the movement of materials, information and finished products from the original supplier to the customer, and consider how one activity depends on the next. The module introduces key participants, including suppliers, buyers, warehouse personnel, production teams, transport providers and customer-facing departments.

You will also consider why coordination matters when organisations operate across different sites or rely on external partners. For example, a purchasing team may secure the right raw materials, but production could still be interrupted if delivery information is not shared accurately. By the end of the module, you should be able to explain the main links in a supply chain and the contribution made by each participating function.

Module 2 - Planning for Supply Chain Operations

This module introduces planning as a means of matching resources and supply activities to expected demand. You will explore the purpose of forecasting, why a forecast can never be treated as certainty, and how organisations use available information to prepare purchasing and production activities. Aggregate planning is introduced as a way of considering demand, output, capacity and resource requirements over a broader planning period.

The focus is on understanding the decisions involved rather than claiming advanced forecasting expertise. Consider a seasonal retailer anticipating higher demand: ordering too little could lead to shortages, while buying too much could tie up cash in unsold inventory. You will examine the need to balance service requirements, cost and available capacity, and how better planning supports more consistent supply chain operations.

Module 3 - Manufacturing & Delivery Operations in S.C.

The final module examines the interface between production activities and the movement of goods to customers. You will study why manufacturing choices must take account of demand, the availability of materials and the practical requirements of transport and delivery. The module also introduces budgeting and cost control as considerations when organisations decide how to schedule work and coordinate logistics.

You will consider how industry trends and market research can inform production and delivery strategies. For instance, a business responding to changing customer preferences may need to adjust production volumes and delivery arrangements without losing sight of quality or costs. By bringing these themes together, the module helps you understand the relationship between business needs, production decisions and reliable fulfilment.

At the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the Quality Licence Scheme and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the components the learner has completed as part of the course).

This course and/or training programme has been endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme for its high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes. This course and/or training programme is not regulated by Ofqual and is not an accredited qualification. Your training provider will be able to advise you on any further recognition, for example progression routes into further and/or higher education. For further information please visit the Learner FAQs on the Quality Licence Scheme website.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

What does this Level 1 supply chain course cover?

It introduces supply chain participants and processes, planning and forecasting concepts, and the relationship between manufacturing and delivery. The three modules establish a foundation for further subject-specific learning.

Do I need previous experience in logistics or procurement?

No particular entry requirements are stated for this Level 1 course. It is suitable for learners seeking an initial understanding of how a business supply chain operates.

How long does the course take?

The course approximately 80 study hours. Your individual progress will depend on the time you devote to reading and understanding each module.

Can I study alongside a full-time job?

Yes. The course is delivered online and is designed for self-paced study, allowing you to organise learning around work and other commitments.

How many modules are included?

There are three approved modules: Introduction to Supply Chain Management; Planning for Supply Chain Operations; and Manufacturing & Delivery Operations in S.C.

Will I learn about demand forecasting?

Yes. The planning module introduces the purpose of forecasting and aggregate planning, with emphasis on how these ideas support decisions about demand, capacity and resources.

Does the course cover manufacturing and transport?

It introduces the relationship between manufacturing operations, logistics and delivery, including cost awareness and the need to respond to market requirements. It is not a specialist transport-management qualification.

What certificate will I receive?

The course a Quality Licence Scheme Certificate of Achievement and a Learner Unit Summary for successful learners. These document completed non-regulated training.

Is the QLS Level 1 certificate an Ofqual-regulated qualification?

No. The course is QLS-endorsed non-regulated training and is not an Ofqual-regulated accredited qualification.

Does this course include detailed inventory management or supply chain risk?

Its emphasis is on introductory supply chain structure, planning and manufacturing/delivery coordination. For dedicated coverage of supply chain risk and best practice, the Level 2 certificate provides a more relevant next step.

Can this course help me prepare for further learning?

Yes. It provides the vocabulary and basic operational concepts that can make a subsequent logistics, procurement or supply chain course easier to follow. Entry onto any later programme is governed by its own requirements.

Will this certificate guarantee a supply chain job or promotion?

No course certificate guarantees employment or advancement. The training may help you explain introductory supply chain principles and demonstrate a commitment to learning, alongside your other experience and skills.

This entry-level course paves the way for further study of the subject at a higher level. It is also ideally suited to those already working in a supply chain environment, where a recognised qualification could assist with career advancement. 

• Learners exploring supply chain and logistics for the first time.
• Employees in purchasing, stores, administration or distribution who want to understand how their duties connect with other teams.
• Small-business owners seeking an introduction to supplier coordination and delivery planning.
• People comparing introductory supply chain qualifications before progressing to a more detailed course.

Related Links:

Diploma in Logistics & Supply Chain Management (Level 4)

Certificate in Inventory Management (Level 3)

Certificate in Supply Chain Management (Level 2)