Why training the next generation is key to delivering public services

Since Shona Robison, Scotland’s Finance Secretary, announced in last year’s Budget that “we cannot address the financial challenges before us through tax alone, or by delivering public services in traditional ways”, there have been constant reminders these are challenging times.

Phil Kinnell, a tutor at the Scotland Excel Academy, which delivers programmes through applied work-based-learning methodology, workshops and masterclasses, concedes: “The fact budgets are tight means that when public bodies are making those workforce decisions, they don’t have huge amounts of money to grow vast procurement teams and to pay very high wages to compete with some in the private sector, especially as procurement skills are highly transferable.

“It’s also challenging because procurement is a discipline that requires a wide range of skills, if practitioners are to be successful, such as strategic thinking, market research, cost and data analysis, supplier management– not to mention all of the emerging technologies that require procurement professionals to continually adapt to acquire new competencies.”

Scotland Excel is the centre for procurement expertise for the local government sector, a leading non-profit organisation serving Scotland’s 32 local authorities and more than 150 associate members from across the public and third sectors. For some, “procurement” might seem a nebulous term – but it’s far from that. Its fulfilment ensures the successful delivery of items and services that range from intricate surgical equipment to street lighting and wheelie bins.

“It’s been described as everything from paperclips to battleships,” says Kinnell. “But ultimately the delivery of our training is supporting better outcomes for all taxpayers. And better commercial awareness helps drive better value for money and improved services and innovation.”

Academy tutor Dr Laurie Anne Campbell says the academy is currently designing new courses to meet the needs of a wide range of organisations. “We will ensure we can equip them with the skills and knowledge to deliver best value,” she says. The Scotland Excel Academy is unique, she continues, because it combines accredited, multi-disciplinary learning with work-based learning to help strengthen and equip workforces in a way that gives organisations quick returns.

In a difficult and demanding environment, especially regarding budgetary constraints, these are busy times. “We’re almost ready to launch a range of e-learning courses designed in collaboration with the Scottish Government.

“The first of these will be an introduction to public procurement and tender evaluation. We’re looking at creating another level of e-learning as things now need to be more cost- effective,” says Dr Campbell.

There are, says Kinnell, also two qualifications currently being credit rated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for practitioner and expert practitioner. While there are other procurement qualifications, he adds, they are not contextualised to public procurement, and especially not Scottish public procurement, which these will be.

“We’re trying to make these much more specific to the roles of public procurers in Scotland. When people are developing their skills in terms of strategy or complex procurement exercises or negotiation, we’re seeking to address that. We’re conscious of the cost of our programmes and compared to other procurement qualifications, these will be very competitively priced,” he adds.

These initiatives will augment Scotland Excel Academy’s Commercial Improvement Programme.

“When you look at the procurement cycle, the part that regulations mainly apply to is the sourcing phase,” says Kinnell. “All the market research and engagement at the beginning and the contract management at the end aren’t really covered by the regulations so are not generally as well resourced.

“So, in addition to the qualifications to address the needs of our members, we’re working in partnership with local authorities in Scotland to deliver our Commercial Improvement Programme.

“This will help people to upskill and perhaps become a bit more comfortable with risk, especially where outcomes may be improved; also, for instance to consider life cycle costs as opposed to price, and generally gaining the knowledge to approach procurement in somewhat more commercial terms. While this is currently being delivered to local authorities, we hope to open that up to the wider public sector over time,” he says.

Another important area in the wider programme of the academy’s activities is its Graduate Apprenticeship Programme. Especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, the skills shortage in the public procurement area has been highlighted.

“Many people have retired early, and organisations are having to adapt, doing more with less,” says Dr Campbell. “We are aiming to launch Graduate Apprenticeships in procurement with our partners, the Scottish Government and Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), in September 2025.

“Key to this is allowing people to learn on the job. It represents a quick return for individuals, for the organisations they work in, and supports the wider priorities of widening access and upskill in the labour market – so we’re excited to be launching these apprenticeships.”

These courses will involve people being in post, attending GCU three days every eight weeks, adds Dr Campbell. Both she and Kinnell are keen to emphasise the academy’s collaborative approach. “There is the opportunity to learn from and share your practice with your peers and in addition to gaining new knowledge, there’s also the opportunity to enhance or develop soft skills such as communication, problem-solving and critical thinking.”

Importantly, the existing and new courses enhance work/life balance – especially important in post-Covid times – offering significantly better protection of participants’ personal time.

Kinnell emphasises the reach and importance of the task: “Attracting, developing and retaining talent is key and that feeds into us being better able to deliver the whole spectrum of public services.”

The procurement skills gap is widening. Now is the perfect time for you to enhance and upskill. For our full range of training and qualifications, visit the Academy website or email academy@scotland-excel.org.uk

This article was first published in the Herald.