Simon Clarke is a Category Buyer at Specsavers and first joined APA for the Level 4 Procurement & Supply Apprenticeship which he successfully passed with Distinction. He then progressed onto the CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma and talks to Nicky from APA about his journey so far.
NH. Firstly, Congratulations on receiving a distinction for your Level 4 Apprenticeship!
How did you find the experience on Level 4 Apprenticeship course? How did APA support you?
Very positive. I’d had a gap between studying Level 3 and starting Level 4, and with a change of career (from purchasing to procurement) I initially wondered if I’d be out of my depth. But it turned out I wasn’t. The apprenticeship is a great way of learning on the job and backing up the understanding of the skills you are taught in the lessons. We had a change of tutor early on due to my initial tutor relocating to USA and I cannot fault Anne Penman, who took over the class I was in, as a tutor, and contribute my success down to her.
NH. Can you tell us what results this training has had on you personally and also how it has had an effect on your organisation/department?
It’s helped me to continue to grow in confidence and build my Procurement knowledge. I began studying the L4 Apprenticeship 6 months after moving into a Procurement role from a Purchasing background, so the training went hand in hand with me learning a new set of skills on the job and gave me the necessary confidence when working with my colleagues, most of whom have been through and achieved the MCIPS accreditation.
NH. What new knowledge did you gain by doing the apprenticeship, what areas do you now know more about?
Nothing specifically but my overall knowledge of procurement processes has improved, particularly with the CIPS Procurement Cycle and areas such as Negotiation and Contract/Supplier Management
NH. How did you feel the End Point Assessment went? Do you have any advice around this for others?
You get out what you put in. If you have a good work ethic and work to a plan with your tutor ie having draft versions ready for them to review, you will produce a better final assignment. If you don’t, then you run the risk of producing a sub-standard piece of work. The tutors are the experts, so use them! But also manage your workload. I had a really supportive boss who allowed me the flexibility to work on my EPA when necessary, however appreciate this isn’t always the case, so time management is key. The interview went well, again, my presentation was reviewed by my tutor and some advice was given, and as I knew the project like the back of my hand, I was comfortable answering the questions I faced.
NH. You have since moved on to the CIPS Level 5 Advanced Diploma, how are you finding the higher- level course?
It is a step up, particularly a few of the modules from a theoretical side, but there is also some cross-over with previous modules at L4, which has helped to embed some of the information we have been taught.
NH. What are your plans beyond CIPS Level 5, for your future career in procurement?
I will look to complete Level 6 (debating whether to have a break in between 5 and 6 having done 4 and 5 back- to- back) and eventually achieve the MCIPS accreditation. In terms of future career, the aim is to work up the Procurement ladder at Specsavers; the first step is moving from a Category Buyer to a Category Manager, whilst continuing to develop my knowledge and Procurement expertise!