I’ve been running tenders and contracting for supplies for years.  Why would I need a qualification?
Government procurement is an area that is subject to a significant amount of legislative and policy regulation, as well as a great deal of external scrutiny of actions and decisions. A qualification can offer you confidence that you are complying with the rules and regulations in this complex field. A qualification is also a formal way to have your skills and knowledge recognised, and it can set you apart from other staff who do not have a relevant procurement qualification.

Some employers place emphasis on their staff having formal qualifications in their field, so this is another very good reason to have an AQF qualification in government procurement. As a person with experience in government procurement, you may not need to complete training in order to receive a qualification or statement of attainment as it is possible that you already have the skills necessary for this.

Contact us to discuss a pathway to a qualification that will recognise your expertise.

What qualifications are available for people working in government procurement?
There are several qualifications that might suit staff with procurement responsibilities.  These qualifications are not substitutes for each other, as each qualification covers specific content that is not covered in the others. So it might be useful to consider completing two or more of these qualifications over time to cover all of your procurement learning and development needs.

The most suitable qualifications for a person working in government procurement are:
•  Certificate IV in Government (Procurement)
•  Diploma of Government (Contract Management)
•  Advanced Diploma of Government (Strategic Procurement)

Feel free to contact us so we can discuss your learning and development needs.

Advanced Diploma of Government (Strategic Procurement) - PSP060704
The Advanced Diploma is a qualification that requires breadth, depth and complexity involving analysis, diagnosis, design, planning execution and evaluation across a broad range of technical and/or managerial functions including development of new criteria or applications or knowledge or procedures.  It requires the application of a significant range of fundamental principles and complex techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of contexts in relation to either varied or highly specific functions. Contribution to the development of a broad plan, budget or strategy is involved and accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

This specialist qualification covers the competencies required of personnel responsible for the management of strategic procurement in public sector organisations. Electives should reflect the responsibilities of the individual and the job skills required for effective performance.

This qualification is from the Public Sector Training Package and offers specialist training in how to manage strategic procurements. It also offers high level “general” government units to assist a person to operate effectively within the public sector environment.   It is targeted at managers.   A detailed listing of the units required for this qualification is provided below.

As the major qualification that focuses specifically on strategic procurement, the Advanced Diploma of Government (Strategic Procurement) is a highly desirable qualification for anyone who operates at middle to senior management level and is accountable for the achievement of procurement outcomes for high risk, high value, high complexity, politically or organisationally sensitive procurements. It is also highly relevant to project staff or project mangers in acquisition projects, where successful strategic management of a contract is important to the outcomes of the project.

If you need to conduct tenders as well as manage strategic procurement issues, you should also consider completing the Procurement Units from the Certificate IV in Government (Procurement). If you already hold the Advanced Diploma of Government (Strategic Procurement) you will be able to gain recognition for the general government units and so will not need to complete these units to be eligible for the qualification.

We offer a practical, hands on program in which participants will develop the strategic management skills necessary to operate at the middle to senior management level in the public sector, with emphasis on conducting and managing strategic procurement processes. Participants will participate in significant case studies, negotiation scenarios, making presentations and also will complete a substantial workplace research and analysis project on a strategic procurement topic of their choosing. The course timetable includes sessions to assist participants to prepare and refine their ideas for the workplace project. Participants will also examine the legal, legislative and policy framework within which strategic procurements occur.

Advanced Diploma of Government - who should complete this qualification?
Anyone who manages a significant procurement activity:
•  Members of APUs or centralised procurement teams
•  People who provide significant procurement advice to others in their department or agency
•  People experienced in managing complex procurement processes who would like to progress to strategic procurement management
•  Project managers in acquisition projects (ie. where managing strategic procurement issues will be a significant part of the
success of the project)
•  People who wish to gain employment at senior officer or executive levels with the Government (State or Federal)
•  Senior people exercising financial and/or procurement delegations

Diploma of Government (Contract Management) - PSP051504
A Diploma is a qualification that requires breadth, depth and complexity covering planning and initiation of alternative approaches to skills or knowledge applications across a broad range of technical and/or management requirements, evaluation and coordination. It requires the self directed application of knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas where judgement is required in planning and selecting appropriate equipment, services and techniques for self and others.

Applications involve participation in development of strategic initiatives as well as personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations or organising others. It may include participation in teams including teams concerned with planning and evaluation functions. Group or team coordination may be involved. The degree of emphasis on breadth as against depth of knowledge and skills may vary between qualifications granted at this level.

This diploma is a specialist qualification that covers the competencies required for independent and self-directed work as a contract manager in the public sector.  It is a qualification from the Public Sector Training Package that offers specialist training in how to manage a contract. It also offers the “general” government units to assist a person to operate effectively within the public sector environment. A detailed listing of the units required for this qualification is provided below.

As the major qualification that focuses specifically on contract management, the Diploma of Government (Contract Management) is a highly desirable qualification for anyone who needs manage a contract as a substantial part of their day to day work. This qualification is effectively the entry level requirement for anyone wishing to work specifically as a contract manager for the Government. It is also highly relevant to project staff or project mangers in acquisition projects, where successful management of a contract is important to the outcomes of the project.

If you manage smaller or less complex contracts or if contract management is only a part of your day to day work, you might consider the Certificate IV in Government (Procurement) unit PSPPROC 410A Administer Contracts as a suitable unit that meets your learning and development needs.

We offer a practical, hands on program in which participants will practice developing the necessary contract management plans and supporting documentation such as risk management plans, stakeholder management plans, communications plans, probity plans, transition plans etc.  Participants focus on performance management and will participate in realistic simulations of contract performance management issues. Participants also become aware of the legislative, legal and policy framework within which Government procurement operates.

Diploma of Government (Contract Management) - who should complete this qualification?
•   Anyone who manages a contract as a major part of their day to day work:
•   Project managers in acquisition projects (i.e. where managing a contract will be a significant part of the success of the project)
•   People experienced managing smaller, simpler contracts who would like to progress to more complex contract management activities
•   People who wish to gain employment as a contract manager for the Government (State or Federal)
•   People exercising financial and/or procurement delegations

Certificate IV in Government (Procurement) - PSP041304
The Certificate IV is a qualification that requires breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge covering a broad range of varied activities or application in a wider variety of contexts, most of which are complex and non-routine. Leadership and guidance are involved when organising the activity of self and others as well as contributing to technical solutions of a non-routine or contingency nature.  It requires performance of a broad range of skilled applications including requirements to evaluate and analyse current practices, and develop new criteria and procedures for performing current practices.

This specialist qualification covers the competencies required of personnel responsible for the procurement of goods or services. Electives should reflect the responsibilities of the individual and the job skills required for effective performance.

This is the only qualification from the Public Sector Training Package that offers training in how to plan for and conduct a tender or other approach to the market.  It also offers an overview of contract management and instruction on the disposal of assets, as well as the “general” government units. A detailed listing of the units below.

As this is the only qualification to focus on the tendering process, the Certificate IV in Government (Procurement) is a highly desirable qualification for anyone who needs to run a tender for their organisation, including the larger and more strategic tender requirements. This qualification is effectively the entry level requirement for anyone wishing to work as a procurement officer for the Government.

We offer a practical, hands on program in which participants will practice developing the necessary procurement plans, gaining approvals, developing key documents such as the statement of work or statement of requirements, the Request for Tender and the Tender Evaluation Plan. Participants will also have the opportunity to conduct several realistic simulated tender evaluations to select a preferred provider. Participants will also become aware of the legislative, legal and policy framework within which Government procurement operates.

If you have to manage larger or more complex contracts, or if contract management is a significant part of your day to day work, you should also consider the Diploma of Government (Contract Management). This is a specialist qualification designed to meet the learning and development needs of dedicated contract managers or project managers in acquisition projects.

Certificate IV in Government (Procurement) - who should complete this qualification?
•   Anyone who has to run a tender
•   People responsible for procurement planning
•   People with contract management responsibilities that are only a relatively small part of their job
•   People experienced in Simple Procurement who would like to progress to more complex procurement activities
•   People who wish to gain employment as a procurement officer for the Government (State or Federal)
•   People exercising financial and/or procurement delegations