About
The Tendering and Procurement Practice Course (TaPP) is the result of a years work by Project Development and Support Ltd. The need for the qualification was identified in June 2008 when we were asked by a large charity to draft a job description for a senior manager who would take responsibility for all of their tendering activity. We looked for a relevant qualification and found that there was none. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) offers a very well developed career path of qualifications to degree level. However this is the route followed by professional purchasing or procurement officers. It was clear that a qualification which mirrors those offered by CIPS was needed.
The Company, which had been incorporated in 1998 to help charities to bid for European funds, has experience of running its own ESF project, and the Open College Network (OCN). Our first attempts to work with OCN had been difficult as this happened at a time when the Network was moving under the auspices of the ultimate UK Regulator for qualifications, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.
The TaPP course was developed with help from the Curriculum staff at OCN London Region. In January 2009 we recruited some willing "guinea pigs" from amongst the Tendering for Care Membership and commenced the delivery of the pilot course with sixteen people divided into three groups. Delivered by telephone conferencing and with students at locations spread from Scotland to Somerset and Manchester to Kent we have been able to test all aspects of course delivery.
We were delighted to discover that the Course is eligible for grant funding from the Leadership and Management Programme, but approval and the award of the grant is based on applications by individual employees to Regional Brokers. This programme which is part of Train to Gain, was originally for Senior Managers in Companies, but has been widened to include voluntary sector organisations. Train to Gain is set to be one of the main programmes to be operated by the Skills Funding Council when it replaces the LSC in 2010. As the programme is operated by regional brokers the rules remain the same but there are some slight variations from region to region.
The TaPP course is registered with the UKLRP and therefore listed in the LSC Leaning Register. It is also listed on more than 70 government and learning websites such as DirectGov, the BBC, Careers Advice, Channel 4, etc.
Project Development and Support Ltd is a NOCN Registered Centre Number: 55869 Tendering and Procurement Practice is National Code: VJ2/3/LR/001 The TaPP course is at level 3 (A level equivalent) and offers 6 credits
