8 September 2011 | Jonathan Jones
Increasing skills in the public sector is vital to meet future challenges, but this training has further advantages.
Within the public sector there is
now tremendous pressure on procurement to
save money while ensuring high quality delivery of both goods and services. The procurement challenge has never been stronger. Therefore,
the need for skilled and experienced
procurement staff has never been greater.
The requirement is not only for purchasers
who can run tendering exercises and save
money, but who can provide a wide range of options and solutions.
CIPS now offers four modules that are purely UK public sector focused. At level five, there are the Machinery of Government, and Contracting in the Public Sector modules, and at level six there are Public Sector Stakeholders and Governance, and Strategic Public Sector Programme Management. But why study the public sector modules? Here are five good reasons:
1. They are not just for public
sector students
Often students from the private sector looking
to move into the public sector take these modules to provide them with an understanding of how public sector procurement actually works. This means that when they apply for roles within the public sector, they can go to interviews with
a good working knowledge of processes, governance and why things are done the way
they are. A CIPS-qualified member of procurement staff can be a very valuable asset
to any organisation and the pressure is often
upon the organisation to both retain and
develop its qualified officers.
2. They are not just for
the unqualified
At times, students who are already fully qualified will take these modules to help them improve their own personal capabilities. These modules collectively cover a wide body of knowledge around improving public sector procurement – areas such as improved tendering, specification development, legal aspects and project management are just a few of the key topics covered. Continuous professional development is important for all staff and therefore these modules can often offer a good and robust training course, challenging the way we do things and developing a more strategic approach.
3. They can help with marketing
and sales
Many private sector organisations struggle to understand how to tender effectively with the public sector. While there is a lot of information around on websites and hubs, this is not as effective as getting on a course that addresses the challenges the public sector is facing. These modules can help the private sector really understand the governance, transparency, principles of award criteria and value for money principles the public sector is dealing
with. It will help them become a better seller by understanding buyer behaviour.
4. They help address the wider procurement challenges
The public sector care services and commissioning officers are facing greater procurement challenges. Purchasers in construction and housing services are working with increasingly new demands. The public
sector modules can help students work through many of the new and commercial challenges now faced and explore a wide range of ideas. More than 10 years ago, Sir Ian Byatt’s report advocated getting skilled procurement officers into larger spend areas.
5. They provide the latest thinking
The study for these modules is not all about past exam papers, examiner comments and key learning outcomes (although these are a very important element). It also incorporates the latest best practice in the sector and its future direction. This helps students understand the ‘bigger picture’ within the sector, but also apply these principles to day-to-day practice.
Key Points
1. Job seeking -
The experience of training can assist in job interviews.
2. Tendering
- Raise understanding of how to win business.
3. Challenges -
Training can also help with new commercial ideas and situations.
* Jonathan Jones is a programme manager (smarter procurement) at Improvement and Efficiency West Midlands and an associate tutor at training provider Pennwood
