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Bill Hilborn - Common Business Services - Shared Services BC
BILL HILBORN
Formerly a teacher, and currently Senior IT Contract Planning Specialist with Common Business Services - Shared Services BC, Bill Hilborn has been with the B.C. government for more than 19 years, and 12 in his current role. With a major focus on Workplace Technology Services in the Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services, he writes solicitation documents and writes and negotiates contracts for large, complex procurements. He graduated from the PCMP in October 2008. We interviewed him in December 2008 in Victoria.
The value of good course design
The PCMP course design was outstanding. The legal aspect was very good. The variety of instructional methods, when used together like that, improve the likelihood of retention. And there was something there for everyone, because everybody doesn't learn the same way. The repetition in a program like PCMP is definitely going to mean better retention: it builds and expands.
The pre-reading was also a very good idea, as were the pre and post tests. They validate the course. I've never seen that in any program I've ever done. And it's a far more efficient way to learn the material than by making costly mistakes - because in this business, most mistakes are costly.
Validation of government policy/direction
PCMP did help me in my day-to-day work. I learned things that I didn't know, so that was useful. It also helped that the PCMP material represents the government's position or policy. Having taken the PCMP, you would be well aware of what you shouldn't be doing. More importantly, you would understand the implications of doing it the wrong way.
Connecting with colleagues
The opportunity to meet other practitioners was very worthwhile. In several of the courses, I met the woman who is the manager for purchasing at the Ministry of Education. Just after the program ended, I was asked a question that I knew she would be responsible for. Because I'd met her on the program, I phoned her, and I immediately had the answer I needed.
Importance of the PCMP to the vendor community
We have a lot of constituencies. The one most influenced by the PCMP training would be the vendor community. When I tell vendors that the PCMP exists, and that there's a focus in the government to train the procurement staff and make procurement knowledge more widely applied, they are usually very interested. And when you say "I've graduated from this," I think they sit up and take notice.
Bill Hilborn
Common Business Services - Shared Services BC
Province of BC
(250) 356-2416