Free procurement training for schools — apply now

If you work in school or trust procurement, free training is now available to help you build confidence and improve how your organisation buys. Two programmes from the Department for Education (DfE) and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) are open for applications.

The DfE has partnered with CIPS to strengthen procurement capability across schools and trusts. This combines the practical support of Get Help Buying for Schools (GHBS) with recognised professional standards, giving you immediate support and longer-term development.

Why this matters

Procurement is key to ensuring every pound delivers value. But many schools and trusts face limited capacity and challenges navigating compliance.

The good news is you don’t have to do this alone.

While GHBS already supports individual procurements, there’s a clear need to build longer-term capability so organisations can approach buying more consistently and strategically. This partnership is designed to do that – allowing schools to learn from qualified experts.

What’s available

Two training options are now open:

CIPS–DfE Procurement Foundations Training (pilot)

A new, self-led online course designed specifically for education. It’s aimed at staff in beginner or junior procurement roles and covers core principles, compliance, and best practice in a practical way.

400 places available applications close 24 July training starts early October

Register your interest by filling in this form.

CIPS Procurement Fundamentals

A one-day (six-hour) online course covering essential procurement skills across four sessions: introduction, planning and specification, tendering, and implementation.

It’s designed to be useful even if procurement is only part of your role.

Apply for an autumn place by filling in this form.

Building capability that lasts

This work is part of the DfE’s Maximising Value for Pupils (MVP) programme. By combining GHBS support with CIPS standards we are helping schools move towards more strategic procurement, stronger internal capability, and better outcomes.

Feedback from school and trust leaders shows strong demand for more confidence in complex decisions and more consistent approaches. These programmes are designed to support that.

Better procurement isn’t just about saving money; it’s about making every decision count.

https://buyingforschools.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/17/free-procurement-training-for-schools-apply-now/

seen at 14:39, 17 June in Buying for Schools.