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Supplier Development Programme launches new series of tender training workshops

Scotland’s tender training service launches a new programme of free training events for 2016/17.


From next month Scottish SMEs and third sector organisations (including supported businesses) will be able to take advantage of a new range of free procurement-related workshops from the Supplier Development Programme. Covering key topics such as Introduction to Tendering, Using Public Contracts Scotland, and completing the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), the courses will be held across Scotland at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.

In addition to these face-to-face courses, the Programme will also deliver all workshops online via live webinars, which are accessible from a home or office computer.

New for 2016/17

The new programme will take into account all the changes introduced by the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, which was implemented in April 2016, and new courses such as Understanding Community Benefits and Sustainability aim to help suppliers address issues which are of growing concern to buyers.

Giving suppliers greater access to procurement buyers is a key aim of the Programme, and the new “Talking Tenders” monthly webinar series will offer suppliers the opportunity to hear directly from buyers at Scotland’s Local Authorities about their procurement practices at a local level.

To ensure that suppliers understand the relevant Policy documents that may be required as part of the tender process, a new series of online Policy workshops is also being launched. Delivered by industry experts, these webinars will ensure that suppliers are familiar with the latest standards and documentation required to support their bids.

Gillian Cameron, Programme Manager, said “2016 has brought with it some of the biggest changes in public procurement that we have seen in Scotland, and it’s an exciting time for SME’s in particular to think about entering this £10billion marketplace. Whether you are just starting out and wish to find out about working with the public sector, or if you’re an experienced bidder needing to improve your tender skills, we have a course suitable for you.”

Membership of the Supplier Development Programme is free and open to all Scottish SMEs and third sector bodies/supported organisations. To register, to view the calendar of events and for more information visit www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events.

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