Procurement and Contract Management Program (PCMP)

What is the PCMP?

The Procurement and Contract Management Program is a new, award-winning corporate learning program designed in partnership with the B.C. government to enable employees to improve on-the-job performance in all aspects of the procurement function. It is specifically built to meet the demands of today's challenging procurement environment and workload pressures. The Program has four proficiency levels and includes a range of on-line, instructor-led and blended learning resources and courses. The courses within the Program are competency-based and results-driven, and include on-line resources to support learning at every level – from administrator to executive. The courses can be taken individually or as part of a customized program of two or more courses. All staff that are engaged in the procurement process or are responsible for managing procurement and contract activities will benefit.

Where did the PCMP come from?

The Province produced the Procurement Competency Model and Procurement Curriculum Framework in 2002, and issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) in 2003, for the design, development and delivery of the procurement management curriculum. A group of strategic partners, called the NECI Consortium, led by National Education Consulting Inc. (NECI) was the successful bidder. The NECI Consortium consists of NECI, Etraffic Solutions, Three E Training Inc. Stevens Consulting Group and Sector Business School. The work began in June 2004, and the curriculum is now fully developed.

How is this Learning Program Different?

In the past, learning programs have primarily been designed, developed and delivered as stand alone, knowledge-based training courses. This learning curriculum is different because it contains a series of fully integrated, employee driven, skills-focused courses and resources that support learning before and after course delivery. This fundamental shift in delivery format, affects all aspects of the teaching/learning experience, and is expected to produce better learning results.

The before and after learning activities, combined with opportunities to practice and access to state-of-the-art learning resources can only help to encourage employees to develop expert procurement and contract management knowledge and skills, meet high standards for transparency and accountability, and work towards their career goals.

Key Features of PCMP

The key features of the PCMP include:

• Self-directed, peer-to-peer e-learning and instructor-led training
• Courses available individually, as part of a customized program, or as an in-house certification program
• Course materials are enhanced and updated on an ongoing basis
• High quality professional instructors with specific expertise in procurement and contract management
• Courses designed for every learner from administrator to executive. Courses available at four progressive knowledge and skill levels
• Dedicated learning website (visit the B.C. government PCMP Learning Portal www.procurementlearning.gov.bc.ca) including an extensive procurement library and employee learning records database
• Course delivery can be accelerated to provide a convenient alternative training option for your organization
• Flexible course delivery tailored to your business needs at centralized or regional locations
• Employee Learning Record
• Fully integrated, customized curriculum and certification process available for your organization

Why Certification?

Within the B.C. government, PCMP Certification is awarded to those learners who complete all courses in levels 1 - 3. Certification:

• encourages succession planning and mentoring;
• includes courses and on-the-job training assignments in the procurement and contract management;
• recognizes individuals who achieve certification at an annual convocation ceremony for Program graduates;
• establishes a preferred standard for hiring and developing procurement and contract management staff;
• provides a mechanism for competent staff to challenge course certification requirements;
• provides learning opportunities for individuals to build capacity, or upgrade their certification.

More than 2,000 B.C. government learners are currently engaged in training and over 46 learners have successfully graduated from the program. Attendance at Update Seminars and some Level 4 courses allows PCMP Graduates to maintain their certification and continue to build capacity.

Award Winning Program

• 2005 winner of nationally-recognized Leadership in Public Procurement Award, sponsored by the Canadian Public Procurement Council, Summit Magazine and MERX
• 2007 winner of Deputy Minister’s Awards of Excellence, Partnership with Stakeholder Category, awarded by Province of B.C.

Contacts

Organizations and individuals outside the B.C. Public Service who are interested in learning more about the Procurement and Contract Management Program can contact:

National Education Consulting Inc
Project Management Office
Procurement and Contract Management Program
info@procurementlearning.com
(250) 370-0041

B.C. government employees who want to know more about the Program, course schedules and certification requirements should visit the PCMP Learning Portal or contact the PCMP Project Office at info@procurementlearning.com

B.C. government contacts are:

Learning Services Branch, BC Public Service Agency
Mariana.Gerenska@gov.bc.ca
(250) 356-8934

Procurement Governance Office, Ministry of Finance
Dave.Collisson@gov.bc.ca
(250) 387-8114

Strategic Acquisitions and Intellectual Property
Frank.Hudson@gov.bc.ca
(250) 356-0843

Click here for more information on PCMP

National Education Consulting Inc.
#2305 - 4464 Markham Street, Vancouver Island Technology Park, Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8
Tel: (250) 370-0041 * Fax: (250) 370-0042 * E-mail: inquiries@neci-legaledge.com