GO Awards recognition for Academy tutor Aileen Toland

Our Academy Tutor Aileen Toland has received a Highly Commended at the GO Awards Scotland for her work to create and launch the Public Sector Procurement Practitioner (SCQF Level 8) qualification.

After identifying a gap in professional development for Scotland’s public procurement professionals, Aileen set about creating a pioneering programme designed to develop careers, strengthen organisations and build professional capacity.

By supporting a stronger Scottish focused qualification pathway, she has helped attract, develop and retain procurement talent in Scotland. She has also raised the profile of procurement as a career.

Aileen said: “I am delighted to have received this award and to see the new qualification recognised. I am very grateful to my colleagues in the Academy and across Scotland Excel for all their support.

An Advanced Practitioner level qualification is in development and is due to launch in late 2027. The advanced qualification will be graded higher than the practitioner course, offering a career pathway for procurement professionals.

Public Sector Procurement Practitioner (SCQF Level 8) (PSPP8) is the only procurement qualification in the UK designed specifically for the Scottish procurement community. It delivers a credit-rated qualification on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) by Qualifications Scotland and is aligned with the national procurement development framework, helping practitioners build essential procurement skills and progress their careers.

As part of a non-profit organisation, the Academy aims to make professional development accessible to Scotland’s public sector. Courses are open to all Scottish public sector organisations.