The GPS Career Management Programme

The GPS Career Management Programme will enable procurement professionals in central government to take more control of their own career development with the right support and guidance.

"No one can manage your career for you. It is something unique and personal to you. However there are lots of people with extensive experience of working in the procurement profession who can help and guide you," says Roz Bendall, GPS Career Management Programme Manager.

Roz suggests that procurement professionals considering their next career move should start off by asking themselves the following questions:

• What aspects of the job do you really enjoy, what aspects don't you enjoy and why might that be?
• Have you thought about where you see yourself in 5, 10 or 15 years time?
• What do you want to have achieved in your working life?
• Where do you aspire to be in your department and profession?
• Have you considered getting yourself a mentor/coach?
• Do you know what career planning tools are available from your HR/training team?
• Have you had a look online for the GPS procurement career profiles?
• When did you last check procurement vacancies on GPS Online to see what procurement roles are available across Government?

By answering these questions you are taking the first steps in your own career management.

 

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is also a fundamental part of your development.  It is an opportunity to increase your knowledge and experience by encouraging routine reflection on experiences and learning, and to further improve professionalism.  It also ensures you keep up to date with best practice methods, policy and legislative changes therefore supporting organisational objectives and development.

Find out more

The Pilot

To support you in your career planning GPS are designing toolkits to help you think through some of the available options. The toolkits will be available online and will allow you to assess where you are now, what you are good at or what you need to develop to be a highly effective procurement professional. There will also be guidance on how to identify and consider the best career options for you.

The first toolkits on career management discussions and CPD will be piloted in February 2010. If you would like to review these toolkits and provide some feedback please follow the links below:

• Career Discussion Guidance (PDF, 1.05KB)
• CPD