Procurement and contracts officer Victoria Barrow feels much more confident and effective in her role after undertaking a Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) apprenticeship.
Victoria joined Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust (BBCET) in October 2024 at a time when the organisation had undergone a period of significant growth. The Trust covers 39 schools across Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside and had identified a need to strengthen its procurement capability as it grew.
Victoria brought extensive commercial experience from account management roles with major brands, but procurement was relatively new to her.
Building procurement capabilityRecognising an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge internally, BBCET supported her enrolment on a CIPS Level 3 Procurement and Supply apprenticeship, fully funded by the employer apprenticeship levy.
“I didn’t have a background in procurement,” Victoria said. “The Trust asked whether I’d be interested in getting a qualification and I was really keen because it would help me understand procurement and supply from the ground up.”
The 18-month programme combines virtual learning, workplace projects, professional discussions and other assessments. Weekly online sessions, regular contact with a dedicated tutor and opportunities to apply learning directly to real projects have helped her balance the apprenticeship alongside a busy day job.
“It was a bit intimidating going back into education after many years,” said Victoria. “But the course was really well structured and the support from the tutors meant you couldn’t really fall off track.”
Real-world relevance from day oneOne of the biggest benefits has been seeing her learning translate directly into workplace practice.
“As the months went on, everything started clicking into place,” she said. “The reason why we do things and why certain processes are in place. I think I'm performing better in my role because I've got that confidence and I've got that qualification behind me now.”
That growing confidence is already having an impact. Having completed her course and been awarded a Distinction, Victoria is now managing procurement projects with a greater degree of independence while also supporting wider Trust initiatives and contract management.
“My manager now can let me just run with projects,” she said. “There's one I've been working on for telephony and broadband. I've required very little support from my line manager with that, and she's got the confidence in me that I know what I'm doing with the process, and I can follow all the rules.”
Having internal procurement expertise also helps BBCET achieve better value for money and reduce reliance on external support. Prior to Victoria doing the apprenticeship, much of the Trust’s procurement activity relied on costly external consultants.
According to Victoria, having qualified procurement knowledge within the organisation helps ensure projects are approached consistently, transparently and in line with procurement regulations.
Value of investing in people“It's given me a lot more credibility in the workplace as well,” she said. “People in the trust know we've got a procurement professional and can start to see the value in procurement and doing it properly.”
Victoria believes the benefits extend beyond compliance, helping schools make better-informed purchasing decisions and maximise value from their budgets.
“Procurement isn’t always about choosing the cheapest option,” she said. “It’s about understanding the whole picture, considering value and making the right decision for the organisation.”
The experience has also reinforced the value of investing in the development of school business professionals, particularly at a time when schools and trusts are facing increasing financial pressures and operational complexity.
“I think it’s definitely worth investing in your people,” Victoria said. “You’re upskilling staff, giving them more confidence and credibility, and helping them feel more valued in their role.”
For BBCET, the investment is already delivering results by strengthening internal capability, reducing reliance on costly external expertise and developing the commercial and procurement skills needed to support a growing organisation.
The DfE has partnered with CIPS to strengthen procurement capability across schools and trusts. Through this partnership, schools and trusts can access training, resources and professional development opportunities, including CIPS apprenticeship programmes funded through the employer apprenticeship levy.
Any savings, benefits and outcomes described in this case study were provided by Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust and reflect its specific experience and circumstances. Individual results will vary between schools and trusts.
seen at 11:36, 12 November in Maximising Value for Pupils (Max VP).