Introduction to the GPS

The public sector is increasingly expected to deliver efficient, value for money procurement. With this has come greater recognition of the benefits that a well trained, professional procurement team can deliver.

This is the challenge, outlined in the HM Treasury Transforming Government Procurement report, which the Government Procurement Service (GPS) is expected to support following its reformation, which commenced during the summer of 2007.

Vision for the reformed GPS

The vision for the reformed GPS is to create a sustainable balance of appropriately skilled and suitably managed procurement professionals, to match the growing scale and complexity of the Government's delivery agenda.

The support package

The GPS will provide a framework to enable procurement professionals develop the capability needed to deliver better public services and greater savings from public procurement. The reformed GPS will establish a comprehensive package of support to the government procurement profession and government organisations seeking to enhance their procurement capability.

During 2007 and 2008 the GPS will establish and start to introduce:

• Professional standards for government procurement professionals
• Development and training initiatives
• A central framework of profession templates, providing a guide to the competencies expected and the career options that can be followed
• Career development support and advice
• Greater coherence in job descriptions and career paths.

New flexible routes into government procurement will also be established:

• The Government Procurement Graduate Scheme - is already well into a successful pilot year.
• A new placement option for the Civil Service Fast Stream 
• Revised standards of entry to the GPS for those already working in government and in procurement

GPS membership options

The new tiered membership options recognise the different professional status gained during a procurement specialist's career. The highest levels being reserved for those with membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and an up-to-date continuous professional development plan but there is also a clear route to get there for those starting out in a career in procurement.