Public Procurement and Property

Buying for a better world – Discover your dream career

November 17, 2021 by Melissa Reilly No Comments | Category Modern Apprenticeships, Procurement People of Tomorrow, Scottish Procurement

This year, Skills Development Scotland, Developing the Young Workforce and Young Persons Guarantee have launched the inaugural Scottish Careers Week. A week dedicated to shaping the future of people across Scotland by exploring and highlighting the career options and support available.

Are you interested in using your ‘buying power’ to build a better world?
Do you wonder what a career in procurement involves?
Perhaps you’ve been wondering what it’s like to work in Scottish Government?
Or maybe you are weighing up applying for a Modern Apprenticeship?

To celebrate the first ever Scottish Careers Week, and raise awareness of the many diverse career opportunities available within procurement – we are speaking to some of our recent recruits who are using the #PowerOfProcurement to build a better Scotland, driving a green and inclusive recovery.

They joined the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate (SPPD) through our Procurement People of Tomorrow (PPoT) programme. If you want to learn more about the opportunities within the procurement profession or would like to have a chat around the PPoT programme please contact us on scottishprocurement@gov.scot or visit https://www.gov.scot/publications/procurement-people-of-tomorrow-programme/

Tell us a bit about yourself…

Rhianna – Before joining SPPD as a Modern Apprentice I had worked in retail ever since leaving school. This allowed me develop great customer service skills which, along with my retail management experience, helped me secure my role with the Scottish Government. Outside of work, a few of my hobbies include playing the piano, knitting and crocheting which keeps me sane (most of the time).

Jordan – Before joining SPPD through its procurement Graduate Programme I studied International Business Management at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. Perhaps my biggest shock when learning about the procurement profession in SPPD was how little it was spoken about in my business degree yet how fundamentally essential it is to any successful business. More light heartedly: I’m a keen golfer, love to visit new places and thoroughly enjoy most sports – except cricket!

Jack – I am a 2:1 Honours Graduate from the University of the West of Scotland where I studied Society, Politics and Policy. I wanted to be able to put knowledge gained during my degree – regarding modern society and social policy – to good use in whichever job I would find for myself after graduating. Through job fairs and websites I learned about, and was successful in applying for, the Procurement Assistant Modern Apprenticeship, which incorporated passions within and out with my degree.

Where are you now…

Rhianna – I have almost finished my first year in Scottish Government within SPPD where I work in the Commercial and Project Capability team. I am currently undertaking a SVQ in Procurement with West Lothian College along with my daily tasks assisting both the project and capability sides of the team.

Jordan – I’ve recently entered the second year of my graduate programme within SPPD where I work in the Commercial and Project Capability team. I have a specific focus on increasing the programme and project management capability across the Scottish Government and the wider public sector in Scotland.

Jack – I joined the Scottish Government as a Procurement Assistant in February 2019 working with the ICT Networks team. Having been in post for almost a year I am nearing completion of my SVQ3 procurement qualification, despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless I am enjoying the work.

What do you like best about your role?

Rhianna – I enjoy how every day is a school day for me as there is still so much for me to learn in my new role. One of my favourite parts about the role is that I am given the freedom to undertake a task how I see fit and then seek guidance once complete. I also have the option to seek guidance beforehand so I like how I can decide what is going to work best for me for each particular task.

Jordan – There are many specific activities I enjoy in my role and they’ll likely be noted in the next section but more generally I enjoy my role for two main reasons. The first reason is that it’s extremely people-focussed, meaning I get to engage with stakeholders and colleagues every day to reach the common goal of delivering vital public services. The second reason is the autonomous and empowering nature of my superiors, I am given objectives and then trusted to achieve those objectives using whichever method that I believe is best suited. This level of trust and simultaneous support is extremely motivating.

Jack – What I like best about my role is the team that I get to work with. The team is a fountain of knowledge regarding ICT Networks and procurement as a whole. Working in this team has only been beneficial for me as it has allowed me to learn from great professionals and apply what I have learned into my own work. The learning aspect of the role also can’t go unnoticed either as  I am able to gain a brand new vocational qualification evidencing my skills, whilst also working in a job at the same time.

What have you been working on since joining SPPD?

Rhianna – As well as working through my procurement SVQ with West Lothian College and other training opportunities, I have also assisted in a number of projects including updating the SPPD indication packs given to all ‘new starts’, and assisting as secretariat to the Race Equality Group ensuring tasks and goals are monitored and reported.

Jordan – I have delivered presentations on the procurement profession at Scottish Government’s National Procurement Conference and assisted a number of projects with their project governance and project management capabilities. I have also embarked on two really interesting project placements, the first was at the Northern Lighthouse Board to assist in their business case writing for their new ship and the second was part of a refugee integration programme allocating funds to refugee integration initiatives.

Jack – I’ve been working on the new Mobile Voice and Data Services Framework which has just passed its one year anniversary. I’m also kept busy recording management information data from suppliers regarding spend and savings – whilst also assisting with the management and monitoring of online applications including Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) and the Knowledge Hub. 

So – what next?

Rhianna – I intend to continue learning and developing my skills within Scottish Government for the foreseeable future. As I am still relatively new and have so much to learn, I am confident Scottish Government will keep me engaged for many years to come.

Jordan – I intend to develop my skills in my current role for a while longer, with the variety of challenges in my area I believe I will be kept busy and engaged for years to come. I intend on remaining within the Scottish Government and ultimately reaching a senior leadership position.

Jack –  Upon completion of my procurement qualification I will be actively looking for the next step in my procurement journey. Another longer term goal within procurement would also be starting working towards my CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply) qualification as well.

Are you interested in finding out more about a career in procurement? Click here to find out more via the Procurement People of Tomorrow (PPoT) programme. 

Note these important dates for your diary:

• 19 January 2022 – City of Glasgow College applications open (To apply for HND Supply Chain Management)
• 26 January 2022 – UCAS deadline (To apply for BA (Hons) International Supply Chain management)

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Tags: Careers, Modern Apprenticeships, procurement, Procurement People of Tomorrow, scot careers week, Scottish Procurement

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