PSPP: The Start of Something Big

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The Challenge

In 2009, the Government of Nova Scotia and Halifax Regional Municipality identified the need for a customizable, public sector specific procurement training program that was rooted in Canadian law. Because government organizations were, and continue to be, under increased budgetary pressures since the economic downturn; they are finding that they are pressed to do more with less. As such, the RFP issued by the government for the development of a program called for maximum efficiency in both the program design process, and also for public sector training budgets moving forward.

The Procurement School Response

As the successful RFP proponent, The Procurement School partnered with local subject matter experts and government agencies to develop the comprehensive and unique Public Sector Procurement Program (PSPP). What makes the PSPP so special is not only that it is Canada’s first public sector specific program of its kind, but also that it was designed to be customized to specific organizational or sector needs, and to incorporate region-specific policies and practices over the long term. This is accomplished through the use of customized case studies, handouts, and appendices, which are developed in conjunction with client input for each specialized engagement.

The PSPP includes a self-directed online introductory course, three classroom-based workshops, and an intensive four-week eLearning component.

Proven Value

Following the successful launch of the PSPP in Atlantic Canada in 2011, the program continues to be offered on an ongoing basis to public sector audiences from across the Atlantic Provinces. Furthermore, The Procurement School has now begun rolling out the program to the rest of Canada, customizing it for each unique organization to deliver relevant, real-world training. By creating a single foundation which can be leveraged for multiple organizations using a mixed delivery model, public sector organizations nation-wide can maximize training budgets and ultimately increase value to their clients. Evaluation scores from participants consistently rate the courses at 4.0 or higher out of 5.0, exceeding the standard benchmark for performance evaluation.

The PSPP has gained significant momentum since launching in 2011. By meeting national and international standards for best practices and principles, the program has now been accredited by the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council through its National Accreditation Program (NAP). The NAP recognizes educational offerings in supply chain-related topics that meet the Council’s standards for accreditation, which are created via significant input from supply chain stakeholders.

In November, 2011, the PSPP won the Leadership in Public Procurement Award sponsored by Summit Magazine and the Canadian Public Procurement Council.

Forward Thinking

What if you could get the most out of your budget without sacrificing the quality of goods and services delivered to your organization?

What if you could clearly demonstrate return on investment for your training dollars?

 

We help organizations ensure their procurement professionals remain up to date on new developments and best practices.

The Procurement School offers customizable training based on the unique needs of the organization and the current procurement legal and business landscape. Value is delivered through courses, curriculum consulting, and ongoing communications such as our newsletter which now incorporates The Legal Edge.

To learn how The Procurement School could help your organization…

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