SRSCC Supports the Expansion of NEPO’s Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme

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.

SRSCC Supports the Expansion of NEPO’s Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme

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.

SRSCC Supports the Expansion of NEPO’s Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme

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.

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Our courses are designed to accelerate your career in the procurement and supply chain industries. If you would like to learn more about our courses, call the SRSCC team on 01772 282555 or complete our contact form. Start your journey to success today.

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SRSCC Supports the Expansion of NEPO’s Regional Procurement Apprenticeship Programme
2026-02-10T10:00:27+00:00
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Bethanie Stimpson SRSCC

Bethanie Stimpson

Progress Mentor

Bethanie began her career in the fitness industry, working as a personal trainer and gym instructor before becoming involved in coaching children through a triathlon club. This experience sparked her passion for working with young people and ultimately led her into a career in education. She initially worked in a nursery and later as a one-to-one teaching assistant in a primary school, before completing her teaching qualification and postgraduate studies. Since then, Bethanie has taught in both the private and state education sectors.

Her academic background includes a qualification in Sports Development, Fitness and Coaching at college, alongside a Childhood & Youth undergraduate degree (2:1). These studies have enabled her to combine her interests in sport, education, and child development, shaping her holistic approach to teaching and mentoring.

Bethanie is passionate about supporting learners to achieve their goals — educationally, personally, and in terms of wellbeing. She places strong emphasis on communication and relationship building, and takes great pride in helping individuals build confidence and overcome challenges. One of her proudest achievements has been supporting learners who initially doubted themselves to grow in confidence and achieve success.

Outside of work, Bethanie has always maintained a strong interest in sport. She previously competed in triathlons and now focuses on running and swimming. In 2023, she completed the London Marathon — an achievement she is particularly proud of. She also enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and their two dogs, which is where she is happiest when not working.

Jazz Bachra SRSCC

Jazz Bachra

Apprenticeship Skills Coach

With over fifteen years of experience in leadership and learning development, Jazz is an accomplished coach and mentor who is passionate about helping individuals achieve their full potential.

He specialises in delivering customer-focused strategies that drive brand differentiation and sustainable business growth, built on a foundation of colleague engagement and continuous learning.
Jazz holds a BA (Hons) in Micro Computing Business Applications from the British Columbian Institute of Technology and a BTEC National Diploma in Business and Computing from London College. He has also achieved a range of professional qualifications, including Education and Training Level 3, and multiple apprenticeship standards such as Operations Manager Level 5, Retail Manager Level 4, and Team Leader Level 3.

Throughout his career, Jazz has developed and inspired high-performing teams across a variety of sectors, creating environments that encourage accountability, growth, and collaboration. His experience includes designing and delivering impactful training programmes, coaching learners to distinction-level results, and building meaningful partnerships with organisations nationwide.

Outside of work, Jazz enjoys keeping active at the gym, playing football, travelling having previously lived in Vancouver, Canada and listening to a wide range of music. He also enjoys relaxing with a good film.

Jack Callaghan

Jack Moore

Operations Team Leader

In December 2023, Jack joined SRSCC as an Operations Coordinator and quickly established himself as a key member of the team.

Promoted to Team Leader in October 2024, Jack utilises his expertise in auditing processes and innovative problem-solving to identify and enhance growth opportunities.

Jack possesses a strong ability to analyse and refine systems and procedures, consistently uncovering chances for streamlining and automation that drive operational efficiency. He excels at communicating complex ideas with clarity and precision.

Detail-oriented yet big-picture focused, Jack applies his exceptional organisational skills to ensure the team adopts the most effective strategies for achieving both individual and collective goals.

His methodical approach and strategic mindset make Jack an invaluable asset to SRSCC, significantly contributing to the team’s success and the realisation of organisational objectives.