Two years ago, NEPO launched its Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme to develop the next generation of procurement professionals across the North East. Designed in collaboration with its 12 member local authorities, the initiative has created sustainable career pathways and strengthened regional procurement capability.
SRSCC is proud to be the specialist delivery partner supporting this programme.
As a Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Centre of Excellence and OFSTED ‘Good’ training provider, SRSCC specialises in procurement, supply chain, business and leadership development. Through flexible delivery models and a strong focus on learner support, SRSCC consistently achieves outstanding results, including a 100% apprenticeship pass rate with zero End Point Assessment (EPA) failures and CIPS exam pass rates significantly above national averages.
Working in close partnership with NEPO, the programme has been co-designed to equip apprentices with the technical knowledge, commercial awareness and professional behaviours required for modern public sector procurement.
Addressing the Regional Procurement Skills Gap
Procurement roles are evolving rapidly. Today’s professionals must combine commercial strategy, compliance and supplier management expertise with soft skills such as stakeholder engagement, critical thinking and adaptability. Increasingly, teams are also required to understand emerging technologies including data analytics and AI.
The NEPO programme responds directly to this challenge by developing apprentices from the outset of their careers, creating a structured pathway into the profession and building a sustainable talent pipeline across the region.
The first cohort, launched in 2024, has successfully completed Level 4 Commercial Procurement and Supply and is now progressing through advanced CIPS qualifications and higher-level apprenticeship standards. Apprentices are already stepping into full-time roles within member authorities and mentoring new starters.
Building Confidence, Capability and Culture
One of the most significant outcomes of the programme has been its wider organisational impact.
Line managers who were initially unfamiliar with apprenticeship delivery have embraced the model, actively engaging with SRSCC tutors to align learning with operational priorities. This collaboration has strengthened workplace support, increased learner confidence and contributed to a culture that values long-term professional development.
The blended learning approach — combining hybrid delivery with face-to-face engagement — has supported strong first-time exam pass rates while fostering peer networks across North East and Tees Valley authorities.
In addition to core procurement expertise, apprentices benefit from:
• Responsible AI awareness and practical application
• Soft skills development workshops
• Communication and stakeholder engagement training
• Ongoing pastoral and additional learning support where required
This holistic approach ensures apprentices develop not only knowledge, but professional confidence and commercial maturity.
A Growing Regional Talent Pipeline
The programme has now expanded to include additional North East and Tees Valley cohorts, bringing the total number of apprentices to nineteen. Further growth is planned, alongside exploration of advanced training in data, AI and future procurement capability.
By investing in structured, high-quality apprenticeship pathways, NEPO and SRSCC are supporting local authorities to develop their own procurement talent rather than relying solely on a limited external market.
The result is a sustainable pipeline of future procurement professionals equipped to manage significant public sector budgets ethically, strategically and effectively.
Discover More
To read NEPO’s full article, visit their website here.
If you’re an organisation looking to strengthen procurement capability through apprenticeship pathways or CIPS qualifications, contact our team to discuss how we can support your workforce development strategy.
