We strive to benefit our customers by offering a varied range of NHS procurement training
Our focus for August is #LearningMatters. To discuss this topic, we spoke to Michelle Walker, Senior Category Manager for Healthcare Services and Pharmacy, to give an update on some of the training and events work that she is involved in.
NOE CPC is committed to supporting its staff with their ongoing professional development, whether that’s through qualifications such as CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply), or by encouraging and supporting staff to take time away from their desks to access relevant training that supports their professional growth. Continued professional development allows individuals not only to maintain interest in their jobs, but to grow their passion for them, and allows professionals to implement their training into their everyday work.
Not only do we encourage our colleagues to attend training courses, but I also work alongside my colleagues Caroline Brash, and Jenifer Pinder from our Training and Events team, to deliver training to NHS professionals on a variety of procurement-related topics. For several years, we have collaborated with training providers such as the various Skills Development Networks to facilitate and deliver training sessions, both in-person and virtually, in areas where the Skills Development Network operates, including Yorkshire and the Humber, South Central, the South West, North West, West Midlands and East Midlands. Our training provision has developed over time, and we now also support the delivery of the HCSA’s training programmes. In addition, various colleagues from NOE CPC have supported other pertinent initiatives such as the NHS England People: Delivery Group and its sub-group, People: Develop Group, which includes developing and supporting training for NHS procurement professionals nationally.
A key benefit of the training that we deliver is that our day-to-day jobs are within procurement, meaning we have a hands-on understanding of the changes that are happening across the procurement landscape, and we are aware of the implications these changes can have on fellow procurement professionals. We also communicate with our customers on a regular basis, which allows us to better understand their training requirements and collaborate to create training sessions focused on areas in which they wish to increase their knowledge base. Due to the ever-changing nature of NHS procurement, our training output is consistently adapted to ensure that it is relevant and reflects any legislative changes. As a training provider, we feel that it is our responsibility to deliver training that is appropriate to the individual, generates discussion, and allows delegates to get the most out of the training session.
We have a range of professionals at varying stages of their careers that attend our training events, and our flexible approach means that each session is relevant to the audience. No matter where you are in your career, professional growth and personal development training are incredibly important and valuable. As a trainer myself, I ensure I take advantage of relevant training available to me; it’s vital to attend a variety of courses to refresh and maintain a wide knowledge base. It is my role as a Senior Category Manager to deliver robust, compliant solutions to our members, and the best way to remain up to date with the latest advancements is to maintain my continued professional development.
As an organisation, we have a strong commitment to nurturing talent and assisting with career development. We are part of the Pathways 2 NHS Procurement Graduate Training Scheme, and we have two new graduates joining us in September. As part of their onboarding process, Caroline and I are looking forward to being part of a two-day ‘Welcome and Introduction to NHS Procurement’ event for this year’s cohort of graduates.
NOE CPC always has an active calendar of training and events, and we continue to develop new training modules where we believe there is a gap. We strive to benefit our customers' needs by offering a varied range of NHS procurement training sessions on a variety of topics. If you have any training requirements that we can help with, we will welcome a conversation to talk through any potential training sessions that we could provide.
If you would like to know more about the events and training offered by NOE CPC, please email enquiries@noecpc.nhs.uk or click here to browse and access our upcoming training events.