On 11 October 2005, the Procurement Board approved a Procurement Competence Career Path Framework for the Northern Ireland Public Sector.  A Project Team comprising of representatives from the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) and the other Centres of Procurement Expertise (CoPEs) across the public sector was established to develop the Framework.  The Framework can be accessed via the attached link:

The Procurement Competence Career Path Framework was developed as a result of the Review of Public Procurement that included recommendations relating to the professionalism of Procurement Practitioners in the public sector in Northern Ireland.

The review can be accessed via the attached link:

To take forward the recommendations, the Procurement Practitioner’s Group (PPG), which represents CPD and the CoPEs, agreed the following Terms of Reference:-

“To develop a qualification and competency framework applicable to all procurement staff employed in the Northern Ireland public sector and to formulate proposals for a career path structure and its management for such staff.”

PPG commissioned Deloitte to take this forward and the Procurement Board approved the Deloitte report which contained 10 recommendations on how to develop a career path framework for procurement professionals.  The report can be accessed via the attached link:

The significance of increasing professionalism and enhancing procurement skills was also referenced in “Fit for Purpose” - the reform agenda in the NICS.