Our Academies will also fill the skills gap to allow successful transitions into vibrant sectors through Modern Apprenticeships which effectively benefit from the involvement of industry in education and training. The academic model of delivery at City of Glasgow College recognises the skills required by employers are developed by students and that their learning experience mirrors the working environment as closely as possible. The College achieves this by adopting a project-based teaching approach developed by lecturers with input from employers to ensure that the outputs are industry-relevant. Embedding this knowledge to support curriculum development is paramount to meeting the key objectives required within City of Glasgow College’s Industry Academy Model.

FILLING THE SKILLS GAP

City of Glasgow College is delighted to be officially launching its first ever Industry Academy in the area Procurement. In recognition of the importance of addressing the skills shortages in Industry, City of Glasgow College has piloted a Procurement Academy to support direct interaction with employers. The Academy provides an academic hub supporting collaboration between the College, University education partners and industry to develop courses, curriculum, qualifications and standards to address and increase the demand for skills at all levels in industry and particularly within areas identified for economic growth.

Vocational pathways have been created culminating in progression and career opportunities for learners, and in doing so seek to increase attainment, performance and success in these areas both locally and nationally. City of Glasgow College will introduce many more Industry Academies across other subject areas that complement the skills shortages within specific industries.

As part of the drive to develop our Industry Academies, we have been working with industry and the Scottish Government in developing a ‘Procurement Academy’ built upon the Award winning work the college has undertaken in 2013/14 with both the Government and Skills Development Scotland in piloting the Procurement People of Tomorrow (PPoT).

During the pilot the College’s Procurement Academy has enjoyed considerable success in delivering the Procurement People of Tomorrow initiative. The key objective of this initiative, which is backed by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and supported by public and private sectors, is to build and sustain Scotland’s own procurement talent pool to enable a sustainable increase in capability and capacity in procurement and supply chain excellence across all sectors.

Having identified a skills gap, the Procurement Academy focused on engaging with young people and designing a range of flexible academic and vocational pathways to assist learners in building their skills to enter the procurement profession.

DEVELOPING

THE PROCUREMENT ACADEMY

FILLING THE SKILLS GAP

A key role for the new procurement Academy will be to deliver the new Modern Apprenticeship in Procurement, this complements the Procurement People of Tomorrow Initiative. This partnership alongside others with key procurement stakeholders and CIPS, have come a long way in this time.

Its focus is on engaging with young people and designing a range of flexible academic and vocational pathways for them to build their skills and enter the profession. By building the skills we require and better equipping young people for the workforce we can directly contribute to Scotland’s social and economic success.

In addition to attracting and building competence, the initiative focuses on retaining and enhancing commercial skills in industry. It promotes capacity-building and succession planning across Scotland’s public and private sectors; providing cross-sector development opportunities and sharing and signposting knowledge and best practice.

This level 3 programme has been developed as another entry point for those looking to enter the profession through the Procurement People of Tomorrow Initiative, to build and support the Scottish talent pool in supply chain management.

FUTURE APPROACHAs a college we will continue to develop this approach and deliver world-class personalised education for the 21st century for each and every student – the Industry Academy model has proved a success and we plan to roll this out across the college by introducing many more Academies over the next session.

Steven Murray, Curriculum Head Industry Academies for the Faculty of BusinessSteven.murray@cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk0141 271 2128

www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk

If you are interested in getting involved with the Procurement Academy please contact