Most tertiary qualifications have the majority of modules inclined to their function and thereby affording scholars an opportunity to learn what industry and commerce expect out of them.
Purchasing and Supply with Nyasha Chizu
It is totally the opposite with most procurement qualifications that have bias in finance and accounting, and as a result, the system is producing raw procurement practitioners.
A rough scan of the procurement qualifications that are offered locally revealed that most of them offered only between 30 and 40% content inclined to procurement or supply chain management.
A procurement professional, in addition to general management skills, only requires the fundamentals of the majority of what becomes core in their studies — economics, finance and accounting.
The majority of the courses must focus on procurement and supply chain management.
The other disturbing observation was that the limitation of procurement, related modules is spread across the certificate to degree in tertiary institutions that are offering procurement degrees.
Whilst it is appreciated that procurement is a young profession, theoretically, it was the oldest to be practiced, but the recognition of the function was slow due to the lack of developmental programmes in the profession.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Local universities have worsened the situation by their slow speed to adapt to the changing needs of industry and commerce. It is now a known fact that procurement is the driver of competitiveness yet there is no visible sign of the development of post graduate procurement and supply qualifications locally.
Recognition of procurement as a key driver in industry will require that tertiary institutions expedite the process of developing relevant procurement graduates that will make a difference in industry.
Many school levers do not even recognise procurement as a profession. Interviews with a few scholars at a local exhibition last year brought out surprises.
The level of ignorance of such a critical activity of business was very high. One man understood purchasing and supply as buying and selling or briefcase business and to him, it was not even important.
My plea is that awareness of procurement is raised and that the local qualifications address the needs of industry and commerce expected of procurement personnel and universities start seriously considering offering post graduate qualifications in procurement and supply.
Meanwhile, The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) unveiled its new qualification that will be available from March 2013. The review of the qualification was after full stakeholder consultations across the world. The input from the consultation ensured that the new qualification will be fit for the purpose and enhancing its global status.
The new qualification represents an industry-driven universal standard recognised around the world. It has five new levels from certificate to professional diploma in procurement and supply.
The major changes to the qualification were correction of the function’s identity. Purchasing is a tactical activity by definition, hence the need to identify and align the upgraded qualification to a strategic role of procurement. The CIPS procurement and supply professional diploma will be the ultimate qualification leading to one being recognised full member designated MCIPS after attaining three years of relevant experience.
The qualification used to have two regions, UK and international. The distinction between the UK and international qualification was removed resulting in one global qualification.
Current examination students need to be aware of the change over for effective planning of the examinations and are encouraged visiting the CIPS website for details. The critical message to examination students is that, don’t stop or delay your studies as all units already achieved, or in progress, will remain valid.
lNyasha Chizu is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply writing in his personal capacity.
Feedback: [email protected]
