Joel's Journey into Procurement: A Year of Growth and Achievement with Connexin Academy

Joel embarked on the Level 3 Procurement and Supply Chain Assistant apprenticeship with Connexin Academy to delve into the world of public sector procurement and to kickstart his professional career. His aim was twofold:

- Develop his professional opportunities and capabilities

- Become a more valuable employee for the City of York Council.

The apprenticeship, a blend of class-based learning and hands-on experience, facilitated a thorough understanding of procurement principles and quickly enhanced Joel's work-based knowledge and skills. Many people believe that this method of learning is the most productive and efficient way of gaining skills, confidence, and knowledge, benefiting both the employee and learner. In this case Joel and City of York Council.

As a procurement officer within the commercial procurement team at City of York Council, Joel's primary responsibilities include ensuring that both internal and external customers receive the best possible service and communication to achieve optimal outcomes for the residents and taxpayers of York. Initially, Joel focused on adult social care procurements, supporting the category manager in their day-to-day tasks.

However, attending CIPS Level 3 sessions boosted his confidence in understanding regulations and the procurement cycle, giving him a broader perspective on procurement. Daily, Joel supports managers with various procurements, managing clarification questions from suppliers, and creating decision letters post-evaluation, all of which have enriched his knowledge of managing a procurement tender from inception to finalising a signed contract.

The skills and knowledge Joel acquired during his classroom-based learning with Connexin Academy gave him the confidence to tackle more comprehensive procurement tenders within the team.

He explored other categories, including his first over-threshold school schedule of works within the construction category. Online classes also helped develop his social skills, as group activities and presentations required active participation and sharing of thoughts. This experience translated into his workspace, where he regularly interacts with new people, bolstering his confidence in professional communication.

With the progression of his CIPS studies—successfully passing three out of three modules—and taking on more responsibilities within the team, such as covering for colleagues on annual leave and understanding the intricacies of higher-valued procurements, Joel had the opportunity to apply for a category officer role.

This role was a chance to showcase the quick learning and valuable contributions he had made in procurement. During the ten months since starting his apprenticeship, Joel demonstrated his knowledge, achievements, and social skills in a professional interview, and his colleagues at City of York Council recognised his value, appointing him as a category officer.

Reflecting on his journey, Joel said, "In such a short space of time, my social skills, knowledge, and reliability have improved drastically as a direct result of the confidence I have gained through my apprenticeship."

This journey not only marks the beginning of Joel’s professional career but also highlights his rapid growth and dedication to becoming an indispensable member of the City of York Council's procurement team.

With his apprenticeship still underway, we are excited to support him every step of the way as he continues to work towards completing his Level 3 Procurement and Supply Assistant apprenticeship.

The future holds exciting possibilities, and with Connexin Academy by his side, we are confident that Joel will continue to excel and make a positive impact in the field of procurement.

If you would like more information on how Connexin Academy can help upskill your team with an apprenticeship get in touch today.