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Five reasons to join the GPS

The Government Procurement Service (GPS) has been reformed to raise the level of procurement skills across government and increase procurement capacity - two of the six key elements of the Transforming Government Procurement plan.

Membership of GPS can help you to deliver government policy through procurement and to initiate and pro-actively manage your professional development. Here are five reasons why you should join:

  1. You will have the opportunity to engage with cross-governmental working groups - contributing towards public sector procurement policy development such as Special Interest Groups.

  2. You will have access to new toolkits, e.g. the recently launched GPS Skills Framework for Procurement Professionals, which will enable you and your line manager or mentor to assess your professional capability and identify the most appropriate learning and development opportunities for you.

  3. You will be able to access high quality, cross-government learning and development initiatives, such as the GPS Skills Development Directory and networking opportunities.

  4. You will be a member of a community that intends to raise the profile of procurement in line with other respected government professions and build and promote the upskilling and refreshing of both technical and core skill sets of those within it.

  5. From joining us at the GPS conference to engaging in working groups, you will be able to contribute to guiding and shaping the future development of the GPS for its members - which includes you!

But, perhaps most importantly, you will be able to make a real difference to the community in which we all serve by increasing the effectiveness of delivery.

The GPS is open to procurement professionals and those who work with third party suppliers and service providers. There are three levels of GPS membership:

Affiliate Membership

Those with an interest in procurement issues, and for new CIPS students'

Associate Membership

For those with a Certificate of Competence in Purchasing and Supply or equivalent (CIPS level 4)

Full Membership

Available to those with MCIPS (Full Member of CIPS), and a Continuous Professional Development Plan, agreed by their Head of Procurement or Commercial Director

In line with our commitment to professionalize the government procurement function, members are expected to become members of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) prior to joining. Your department will normally pay the membership fee.

Both CIPS members and non members can join via the GPS section of the CIPS website. (From the faculties page choose the Public Sector and then GPS links.) If there are any problems you can call CIPS on 01780 756 777.

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