Getting the best

Summit, Sep 2003 by Newman, David

Getting it right, right now! A timely theme for the May Materiel Management National Workshop 2003 - but get what right? Well, high on the list right now is professionalism, qualification, demographics and recruitment - and not just for the federal procurement community. Public procurement specialists get it big time. It is a profession in increasing demand, with a burgeoning impact on government bottom lines.

So - junior - just why do you want to grow up to be a procurement specialist? Why not a police officer, fireman or astronaut?

Procurement specialists also get the fact that demographics make it urgent that they replace themselves. Another generation is needed - one that will enter the system in much different circumstances than the increasingly gray-haired incumbents. So we at Summit asked around a bit to see just what is expected of entry and junior level recruits to the procurement profession.

In fairness to the feds (when was the last time you heard that?), Government of Canada standards are in the midst of major change and the following article, "Doing it our way", reflects just that. Everything from classification reviews to certification to reinvigorated professional development is happening big time - and it is moving along well.