The University of Maryland from the United States and the Cranfield University from the UK are both involved in setting up three educational schemes related to OM: Associate of IIOM (AIIOM), Member of IIOM (MIIOM) and Fellow of IIOM (FIIOM).  The schemes are part of an IIOM-approved career development structure.

Stuart Kelly, director of IIOM, is clear about the intentions of his organization: “The effects of obsolescence are being experienced by an ever wider range of industries, and may involve materials and software as well as mechanical, electrical and electronic components. The increased sophistication of obsolescence management tools and mitigation practices means there is a growing need for a professional body to provide the best-practice guidance, training, career development and qualifications for an emerging class of professional obsolescence managers.”

The new career scheme should come into effect somewhere around April 2016. From then on, different membership classes will exist. A student membership has no competence requirements attached. The other classes will require individual members to prove their competency by completing an IIOM-approved course and passing a final examination.