Procurement
a local university publication. The SPCOD is currently writing a
detailed case study on a special procurement that will be fea-
tured as course content in the supply chain program at a local
college, and our plans include speaking at a lecture for the same
program this spring.
We are investing in our people through a commitment to con-
tinued learning. Formalized in-class training is encouraged, as
is on-the-job-learning and options such as keeping current on
recent Canadian International Trade Tribunal cases and deci-
sions. The CBSA has also purchased an annual membership for
the contracting team with the Canadian Public Procurement
Council, an organization designed to be a source of knowledge
and information for contracting personnel. The SPCOD is in-
vesting heavily in the Canadian Institute for Procurement and
Materiel Management’s (CIPMM) national workshop, a unique
opportunity for contracting and procurement specialists to net-
work with colleagues across government and take advantage of
learning opportunities that explore current initiatives, policies
and best practices. We are sending a large number of attendees
both from headquarters and the regions. Members of our team
will present on a variety of topics and they have also played im-
portant roles in organizing the workshop.
The SPCOD has begun to implement professional develop-
ment opportunities in the form of mini-assignments within the
division. If a contracting officer wants experience on a certain
type of file to build their skill set, they will be provided with that
opportunity. For example, contracting officers have opportuni-
ties to work with the quality assurance (QA) section to develop
their QA skills. A mentoring program has begun with the goals
of sharing knowledge between senior and junior officers and
building cohesive relationships among team members. We are
also offering brown-bag lunch sessions on topics such as secu-
rity in contracting and SMART procurement. These learning
18 • SUPPLYCHAINCANADA.CA • SCMA
opportunities increase knowledge and technical skills as well
as soft skills, and ensure employees feel valued. We have invited
IN TIMES OF
TRANSFORMATION, IT IS EASY
TO SEE ONLY OBSTACLES
AND CHALLENGES AND
NOT THE OPPORTUNITY.
PGs in other departments to participate in our learning events
and will continue to do so.
Commitment to the Certified Federal Specialist in
Procurement (CFSP) designation is strong within the SPCOD.
Two SPCOD members are pursuing Level II certification, and a
growing number of employees are now certified in Level I. More
than 95 per cent of the SPCOD team is enrolled in the program.
The CBSA contracting team is committed to learning more
about the CBSA itself and the operational reality we support.
We did this by organizing field trips to operational sites, includ-
ing the Ottawa International Airport, a port of entry, the CBSA
laboratory, the CBSA college in Rigaud and immigration hold-
ing centres. Each offered incredible, eye-opening learning. The
ability to understand and more closely relate to the clients we
support is a critical component of our success. Being seen as
partners who support the agency’s agenda is priceless, and op-
erational visits remind corporate teams such as contracting why
we exist and who we are here to support.