Office of Government Commerce
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OGC unveils new Government Procurement Graduate Scheme
The Office of Government Commerce today unveils a new Government Procurement Graduate Scheme. The new scheme is one of the first signs of the reform to the Government Procurement Service (GPS) and aims to bring up to 13 high-calibre business graduates into government procurement roles by the autumn.
The successful graduates will be put through an accelerated two-year development programme, which will include procurement placements in a range of government departments.
Peter Fanning, OGC's acting Chief Executive
said:
"This new scheme will have a significant impact on
raising the skill base across public sector procurement. In the
future, we anticipate some of our trainees will be controlling the
procurement efforts of major government departments, making sure
we get the best possible value for taxpayers' money in
delivering excellent public services."
The programme involves both formal and on-the-job training leading to full membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) once the necessary professional experience has been gained.
Mark Pedlingham, OGC's Executive Director Markets, Supplier
& Skills who has been leading the Reform of the Government
Procurement Service said:
"After this pilot, we aim to
deliver around 20 graduates a year to departments across central
government, with the goal of establishing the next generation of
commercial leaders in government.
"This scheme is the most important recruitment initiative we've undertaken in procurement. It offers the chance to bring both new graduates and people who already have careers in business, management or professional practice into government. This will boost our efforts at establishing a radical, creative and collaborative approach to procurement and signal the move of the GPS toward a fully professional function."
Seven departments are supporting the scheme including HM Revenue and Customs and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency.
The Reform of the Government Procurement Service is a key component of the Transforming Government Procurement report, which sets targets to raise skills; raise departmental capability; scrutinise procurement projects and improve collaboration on procurement across government.
Notes to Editors
The Government Procurement Graduate Scheme
is a positive step forward and a tangible demonstration of OGC
having risen to the challenge of supporting Transforming
Government Procurement. More importantly it's an initiative
that will make a positive difference over the next couple of years
but that will then go on to grow exponentially as more of our
graduates take up roles in government procurement.
The
Transforming Government Procurement report is available to view on
the HM Treasury website.
Applying to join the scheme
Anyone with, or expecting to
achieve, a degree in a business or business-related subject,
normally at 2:1 level or equivalent, may apply. Interest can be
registered by e-mailing contact details to
OGCgrads@barkers.co.uk
The new scheme's website -- http://www.ogcgraduates.co.uk
-- has gone live today and includes:
* complete details of the
scheme
* a self-selection questionnaire, aimed at helping
candidates decide if the demanding roles are right for them
*
an on-line application form.
A PDF version of the application
form is also available on request via the website or the OGC
service desk.
Information about eligibility for the scheme and
an information pack are also available from the OGC Service Desk
on 0845 000 4999.
OGC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications
from all sectors of the community. Selection will be on fair and
open competition and regardless of gender, race, disability,
sexual orientation, marital status or ethnic origin. We operate
flexible working patterns within a non-smoking
environment.
Applications are welcomed under the Guaranteed
Interview Scheme, for disabled applicants who meet the minimum
criteria for the post.
About OGC
The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is an
office of HM Treasury, responsible for improving value for money
by driving up standards and capability in procurement, from
commodities buying to the delivery of major capital projects,
maximising the effective use of Government spending and a £30
billion property estate.
A new Government strategy launched in
January 2007, Transforming Government Procurement, highlighted the
central importance of procurement in delivering high-quality
public services and best value for money. OGC is tasked with
delivering this transformation, and with driving up standards and
procurement capability across central Government. The OGC will do
this through:
* Setting the right procurement standards and
ensuring they are met;
* Capitalising on the Government's
collective buying power to achieve value for money;
* And
playing a stronger role in the successful delivery of major projects.
Office of Government Commerce,
Trevelyan House,
26 - 30
Great Peter Street,
London SW1P 2BY
