New to the Profession | Career Stage
Where to Start

New to Public Procurement

Designed for individuals new to public procurement or transitioning from other sectors, this stage emphasizes developing core skills, understanding the fundamentals, and laying a solid professional foundation.

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WHAT SKILLS DO EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR?

Read the Workforce Development Survey

GLOBAL BEST PRACTICES

Insights and clarity on public procurement topics and practices.

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 Managing a Remote Workforce

 Stakeholder Relationships

 Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

Global Best Practices

DICTIONARY OF PROCUREMENT TERMS

The comprehensive reference for public purchasing terms and concepts.

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ONLINE DOCUMENT LIBRARY

Get easy access to thousands of solicitations, RFPs, RFIs and much more, and save time and money for your entity.

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NSITE - ONLINE MEMBER COMMUNITIES

Connect with other procurement professionals to ask questions and get answers.

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NIGP can help you get up to speed, fast.

1. JOIN NIGP
Join a network of 18,000+ professionals working in the field of public procurement.  NIGP offers a wealth of benefits including free webinars, access to our document library which houses 1000s of sample documents so you don't have to recreate the wheel, etc.  LEARN MORE >

2. JOIN AN ONLINE MEMBER COMMUNITY
Our communities connect you with other procurement professionals, to ask questions, get answers, share resources and best practices.  Open to NIGP Members. JOIN A COMMUNITY >

3. BUILD YOUR CAREER PLAN
NIGP’s Pathways Concierge progam helps you with your career goals, helping identify the best professional path forward in terms of leadership programming and coursework using the NIGP Pathways program.  CONTACT THE CONCIERGE PROGRAM >

4. REGISTER FOR COURSES AT A MEMBER-DISCOUNTED RATE
NIGP will help you to get up to speed on what you need to know as you start your career in the public procurement profession.  First on your list of courses to take is our INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT course.  LEARN MORE >

5. EARN YOUR PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ASSOCIATE DESIGNATION (PPAD). 

Allow 3-6 months to complete the 3 certificates (11 competencies). It is important that you provide yourself with ample time to practice skills learned. The PPAD equips you with essential skills to tackle legal and ethical challenges, effectively manage risk, analyze stakeholder needs, and strategically select sourcing methods.  The PPAD comes in a variety of delivery formats.  CHOOSE THE ONE THAT'S BEST FOR YOU >

6. JOIN THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
NIGP's Mentorship Program pairs you with an experienced procurement professional who provides guidance on professional development opportunities and offers career-related advice.  LEARN MORE >

7. ATTEND VCON AND NIGP FORUM AT A MEMBER-DISCOUNTED RATE
Attend NIGP conferences and workshops in order to connect with other procurement professionals.  LEARN MORE ABOUT NIGP FORUM >  LEARN MORE ABOUT VCON >

8. GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER
When you become a member in a local NIGP chapter, you gain access to a local network of procurement professionals who can help you advance in your career, develop critical leadership skills, and create change that positively impacts your community.  SEARCH OUR CHAPTER DIRECTORY > 

9. WORK WITH  YOU ORGANIZATION
to understand and align with its mission, vision and values, and strategic drivers.

10. TAKE ALL REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED TRAININGS 
and shadowing opportunities available to help your growth and awareness of local and state laws, policies, and rules.

11.  PRACTICE AND OBSERVE
Practice public speaking every chance you get, learning techniques through observing others leading pre-bid conferences, debriefs, or presentations.

12. STUDY
Study and follow your procurement division’s Desk Manual, using its best practices, processes, and procedures to build your public procurement foundation on.