30 June, 2009 - Speech by the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, at the launch of the Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management's new education programmes

Speech by the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, at the launch of the Irish Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management's new education programmes
 
I'd like to thank the president for her kind words and the institute's council for inviting me here this evening to launch its new education programmes.

 
I was delighted to learn that the institute had been accredited by the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and that its education programmes are now major awards on the national framework for qualifications at levels six, seven and eight.
 
 
I'd like to acknowledge Gearóid Ó Conluain, Chief Executive of HETAC, and Bryan Maguire, the body's Director of Academic Affairs, who're with us this evening.

 
The institute has a proud history over some 35 years.

 
For most of that time, it has been providing education and training in procurement and supply management on a self-accrediting basis.
 
 
It was among the first professional bodies to achieve full accreditation with HETAC.

 
The institute has produced more than 2,500 graduates and I look forward to the first HETAC graduates coming on stream in November.
 

It's important that we have well structured and independent professional bodies representing professions and setting standards.

 
It's equally important that there's consistency in the education provided by these bodies.

 
I think HETAC accreditation is the standard to which all bodies should aspire and I'd urge others to take a lead from the institute.

 
The institute's members are professionals in their fields and they come from many diverse industry and service sectors.
 
 
Professionals are a key component in Irish business and their expertise and ethical standards are vital to any organisation.

 
The public sector is one of the largest buying organisations in the State and it too has a need for qualified purchasing professionals.
 
 
I'm happy to note that the institute's new 'ordinary degree' contains an elective course specific to the public sector.

 
Improving procurement practices in the public sector is among our key priorities in public sector reform.
 
 
Working smarter, more efficiently and providing better services and value for money for the taxpayer are key parts of our reform agenda.
 
 
The role of skills and knowledge in improving our procurement practices must have a firm basis in education and training.
 
 
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment established the Procurement Innovation Group last July to drive progress in modernising public procurement and stimulating demand for innovative goods and services.
 
 
The initiative was designed to stimulate innovative business activity in Ireland while improving the delivery and efficiencies of public sector goods and services.
 
 
It identifies actions aimed at breaking down barriers and facilitating better access for small and medium-sized enterprises to public contracts.
  
 
Increasing SME bidding for public contracts will stimulate greater competition, efficiencies and value for money for contracting authorities. 

 
Public procurement is a major source of demand for firms across many sectors including construction, healthcare and transport.  

 
The annual public procurement market for goods, services and works is valued at about €15 billion.

 
The Government can therefore demand the production of innovative products and services. 

 
By putting innovation at the core of our public procurement practices, we've the potential to leverage the substantial investment made in research and development and to create better value for money in public services.

 
Our collective aim should be to raise the level of professionalism in public sector procurement through a competency-based framework.

 
I understand that the institute has engaged with the National Public Procurement Policy Unit and the National Public Procurement Operations Unit on this issue and that it’s willing to work with the public sector in developing such a framework.
 

I welcome this initiative and support its aims.

 
The role of professional bodies cannot be understated especially in the economic climate.

 
They're a key component in the development of standards and competencies needed for businesses to survive and succeed.

In this way, the economy and society as a whole benefits from their actions.

 
I'm confident that the institute will continue to work with procurement professionals to deliver education and training that'll help them to improve their skills and knowledge.

 
The institute can be proud of its achievements today.

 
The process of accreditation from HETAC is onerous.  

 
We must ensure that any accredited programme meets the highest academic standards.  

 
Today, the institute has achieved those standards and it should be applauded.

 
The institute has a number of programmes delivered through part-time evening studies and distance learning.

 
That type of flexible adult learning is important in upskilling and skills development.

 
The interlocking nature of these programmes - level six to level seven to level eight – allows students to build on their success and grow with their qualifications.

 
These are well thought-out programmes that I'm sure they'll contribute strongly to the economy and the procurement profession in particular.

 
There is a strong need for continuing education in Ireland. 

 
The institute is helping to meet that need.

 
We need to continue to produce well-qualified graduates to grow our competitiveness and take full advantage of the global economic upturn when it comes.

 
Again, I'm honoured to be here this evening to launch institute's new education programmes.

 
I warmly congratulate you on your achievement and I wish the president and the council the very best for the future.

 
ENDS