ART - Certification 2010

The document discusses the state of Oregon's approach to procurement training and certification for professionals. The state encourages national procurement certification along with state-specific training to provide a powerful combination of knowledge and recognition. Oregon has developed an advanced certification called the Oregon Procurement Advanced Certification (OPAC) that leverages on-the-job learning through a project-based methodology. Candidates must have three years of contract-related experience and an Oregon-specific basic certification. They submit a project proposal and work with an advisor from the professional development team. The candidate's supervisor provides a letter of recommendation, and the candidate submits regular progress reports. At the end of the project, the candidate submits a wrap-up report and makes a final presentation to peers and managers. The process has shown promising results, with participants facing key decision points that test their ability to respond effectively. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to enhance their learning by teaching others and showcasing how they effectively responded to challenges.