Certificate of Competence in Purchasing and Supply

This page is an extract from the full topic guidance on the Certificate of Competence in Purchasing and Supply (CCPS) [75KB PDF]. It details the background to the Commercial Passport, the application process and eligibility for CCPS, and lists any associated documents.

If you have any queries on this topic, please contact the Sponsor by email: DGDC-CC-Dev1a.

Commercial Passport

Background

Personal Development demands a high level of self-awareness, in particular with regard to areas for development. It is very important for individuals to gain a clear and honest understanding of their strengths and development needs if they are to successfully develop themselves.

One of the tools to assist commercial officers in their development is the Commercial Passport; which includes a Development Record, Training Record, and Personal Development Plan (PDP), and which Director General Defence Commercial (DGDC) has endorsed.

The Commercial Passport is available in two formats:

MF1652A [178KB DOC] - Links into Aspire and can be used for the Certificate of Competence, and an aid to continuous professional development.
MF1699 [267KB DOC] - For commercial officers who are not members of Aspire, but wish to complete the Certificate of Competence. Or for commercial officers who wish to use it as a stand-alone developmental / career-planning tool.

What is the Commercial Passport?

The Commercial Passport is a document that can provide commercial officers with a means to record, review and plan development. It may be used in gaining accreditation or dispensation for academic awards (including the Certificate of Competence (CCPS) route to commercial professionalism). It can be used as a tool for self-assessment and to help focus career aspirations however modest or grand they may be. It is:

Recognised by the Office of Government Commerce and Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) and is a necessary tool for completion of the Certificate of Competence within MOD.
It can be used by anyone in the function to track their own development.
Able to offer Support to Investors In People (IIP) accreditation, ISO 9000, etc.

Application Process

The Certificate of Competence (CCPS), administered by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is a key element in raising the level of professionalism in Government. The real measure of professionalism is the ability not only to acquire the skills but to demonstrate them in the workplace. The Certificate therefore provides a major opportunity for civil servants engaged in the purchasing and supply work to demonstrate their professionalism in the true sense of the word. For those awarded the Certificate, it will exempt them from the CIPS Foundation Diploma stage and will enable them to attain further professional qualifications through the Chartered Institute.

The CCPS comprises the following main elements:

Up to 46 hours of on-line e-learning;
9 days of mandatory commercial foundation training provided by Defence Academy College of Management and Technology (DA-CMT) for staff new to the Defence Commercial Function (DCF);
Revision training provided by DA-CMT;
Self study - a minimum of 20 days individual effort across all examinations;
Assessment of candidates' performance in the workplace, recorded in a log book.

How to Apply

Commercial Staff will be aware that applications to undertake the Commercial Foundation courses must be made using HRMS.

Eligibility

The CCPS examination route is available to any member of staff within the DCF.

Associated Documents

Commercial Passport for ASPIRE Members - MF1652A [178KB DOC]

Commercial Passport for non-Members - MF1699 [267KB DOC]

Certificate of Competence and CIPS Credits - Letter from Head of Awarding Body [98KB PDF]

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Commercial Passports [32KB PDF]

Change History

1 June 2010: Amendment to change the abbreviation for Certificate of Competence in Purchasing and Supply from CofC to CCPS.
1 September 2009: Editorial Changes including re-numbering and re-formatting of content.
1 May 2009: Change of Sponsor from DCD-HCC-Dev1a. Minor editorial changes to reflect re-naming of DaLearning
1 March 2009: Updated at Paragraph 12 to include application forms for Certificate of Competence Examinations to be held in April 2009.
1 December 2008: Change of Sponsor from DCD-HCC-Dev1
1 September 2008: Changes to Application Process (Paragraph 2) and other minor editorial changes. New editions of MF1625A and MF1699.
1 March 2008: Minor editorial changes.
1 October 2007: Amended to include new Associated Document - 'Certificate of Competence and CIPS Credits - Letter from Head of Awarding Body'
1 October 2006: New section entitled 'Timeline for Completion of Commercial Awareness Training and Practitioner Programme' has been added.
1 September 2006: Guidance Updated to include April 2006 CofC Examination results. Also reflects the new CIPS Qualification Ladder which commences September 2006.