2015: Skills development
PURCO SA Skills Development Programme: Investing in Skills
PURCO SA is investing in enhancing the skills of procurement professionals by running a series of short but essential training courses.
The need for training was highlighted in our 2014 Skills Survey, when employees in our member organisations were assessed in various proficiencies.
Nine areas were flagged as needing immediate attention, with ‘Finance for Procurement’ being the area of greatest weakness. Negotiation skills, contract selection skills and legal knowledge were other areas showing a worrying lack of competence.
During the past year PURCO SA funded 2-day training workshops in Finance for Procurement in all four regions. The workshop gives attendees an understanding of finance in relation to decision-making processes and the detailed analysis necessary for effective procurement.
Topics covered include: assessing different financial management tools; evaluating financial and non-financial factors in decision-making; evaluating various sources of finance available for major capital acquisitions and projects; developing and managing budgets; and managing financial risk in procurement.
The delegates gained crucial skills that will see them add greater value to their institutions by being better able to make smart decisions.
Training in the next most important area of negotiation skills is being rolled out now, and seven more courses in other competencies will follow.
The training was conducted in partnership with CIPS, the world’s leading procurement and supply membership body, and funded by PURCO SA.
Local and international conferences
There are numerous consortiums around the world that are similar to PURCO SA, so it makes sense to pool our knowledge and share best practices.
That’s why PURCO SA sends staff and senior member representatives to international events and conferences where they can gain a broader outlook and pick up new ideas.
Each year PURCO SA pays for one person from every member institution to attend our National Conference. We enhance that learning by sending members to other events, and in the past year we have had a presence at important, skills-enhancing seminars.
Members attended the National Association of Education Procurement (NAEP) Conference held in Atlanta, where the theme was Explore, Engage and Innovate. The NAEP conference is designed to facilitate the development, exchange and practice of effective and ethical procurement principles and techniques within the higher education community through continuing education, networking opportunities and information sessions.
Our CEO and members also attended the 14th National University Finance and Procurement Conference in Tasmania, Australia.
This annual forum allows professionals to share and explore progressive and innovative solutions in finance and procurement. It includes workshops and case studies that demonstrate practical as well as strategic solutions to the challenges facing higher education providers in the current economic and technological environment.
This year’s topics included how to provide better value services, optimise technology and how to innovatively outsource services that deliver real cost advantages.
Delegates debated whether the traditional back office functions in universities would gradually be replaced by a variety of outsourced service offerings. Outsourcing traditional core competencies is a strategic business decision that needs progressive and innovative approaches to managing key partner relationships.
Closer to home, PURCO SA attended the Bespoke Supplier Development seminar. This formed part of the research that will help us develop training and development programmes to enhance the skills of our black-owned suppliers, as part of our empowerment efforts. The Bespoke Supplier Development seminar featured presentations by companies including Barloworld, Transnet, the South African Bureau of Standards, Telkom, Rio Tinto and ArcelorMittal.
Supplier Training Courses
As well as facilitating member training and attending events to broaden our knowledge, PURCO SA is organising training courses of our suppliers
During 2014-15 we embarked on creating programmes to develop our suppliers, in line with BEE supplier development requirements.
The curriculum covers improving business skills like money management and filling in tender forms. We have run pilot courses and must now devise sustainable funding models.
That may see PURCO SA run supplier training sessions funded by our members, or help our members establish their own training initiatives.
The aim of these courses is to raise the level of skills within our supplier organisations, improve the value of our partnerships.
Intern programme
The newest member of staff at PURCO SA is Gololosegang Legoete, who proves that our intern scheme is delivering big benefits.
Legoete (26) was taken on as in intern straight after completing her B.Com Degree in Supply Chain Management at the University of Pretoria.
She impressed the staff so much during her six-month stint that she was made permanent.
Legoete finds procurement interesting because it is such a broad field. “I started studying economics and it wasn’t me, and then discovered supply chain through research. I like the idea that you don’t have to focus on one thing – you can stream into different departments like transportation and warehousing.”
She’s happy at PURCO SA because her colleagues are really open with her, she says. “They don’t mind that I kept on asking things and I have learned a lot. The environment is really hectic, but everybody is willing to step in when you need help.”
She finds compiling tender documents particularly interesting. “It’s challenging but I’m enjoying it” she says.
So far all six students who have been employed through our internship programme have gained full time jobs, giving the organisation valuable members of staff who are already up to speed and making sure our new recruits know they will be happy in this work environment.