Key facts:
- This is a Professional Industry Qualification. All of the course content that has traditionally been covered by the NZQA Level 6 Procurement Qualification is covered, plus some additional material on current emerging best procurement practice.
- This Diploma covers all of the credentials needed for Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Qualified Proposal Evaluators. The Diploma is also increasingly recognised by Ministries, Departments and other Public Sector organisations.
- This qualification is updated frequently as new procurement practices (such as Lean/Agile Procurement and Progressive Procurement) roll out across New Zealand’s Government Agencies.
- Students can progress at their own pace, via tailored individual study programmes. Timeframes will be discussed and agreed with students, so they can complete professional development alongside their work and personal commitments. As long as students are in contact with their tutors at least every three months, there are no unrealistic deadlines imposed for assignments. The qualification can be put on hold for periods as well, with no financial penalties or additional fees due.
- Employers and / or students do not have to pay re-enrolment fees each year; nor will there be financial penalties if students do not finish within any set period.
- The training and assessment programme will be fully administered through Clever Buying. Our team will provide all student support, administration, training resources, facilitated training, and assessment needed for students to progress and graduate.
- As an added benefit, students and graduates will have free membership to the New Zealand Procurement Institute (for a limited period). Your membership will give you free access to a comprehensive library of procurement resources and guides. It will also provide opportunities to participate in best practice procurement forums and sources for expert procurement advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve already studied with Clever Buying in the past. Can I continue to work with my current assessor? Yes, as long as you are happy to do so. If your assessors is unable to review your work promptly at any time, we can easily organize another member of our assessment team to give you guidance so that you can move forward to progress through your qualification at a pace that suits you.
What are the costs to transfer? There are no re-enrolment costs or annual fees, and your organisation will not incur financial penalties if you exceed the duration that is set for the old NZQA qualification. The full cost for the training and qualification for new students will be $4,800 plus GST.
If you have already studies with Clever Buying, fees to complete your qualification range from $895 (NZQA Graduate top-up) to $4500 (discount for past Clever Buying course attendance more than two years ago). Most students who have completed some assignments in the past will pay between $100 – $3000 to pick up their training and complete their qualification.
If you are unsure about what fees will apply to you, please contact us. You will need a Purchase Order Number to include on your registration form.
Can I get training and assessment mainly online? Yes! We are building an online platform which will give students access to learning materials (like interactive information slides, video tutorials, quizzes and templates) to streamline progression through the qualification and make it more accessible. This will be particularly helpful for students who need to balance their study alongside busy work roles or personal commitments.
The foundation in-person two-day Clever Buying course is an important requisite of the qualification. It’s normally done in the first few months of study and repeated as a refresher if you have had a break of two years or more from your procurement study.
I don’t have suitable procurement examples available in my workplace in the next few months. Is there a way I can continue to progress? Yes! We will form a tailored plan to support you. This may involve providing you with scenario materials to work through, to demonstrate your skills in procurement, including tender evaluation. We expect to be able to convene student study groups online to enable you to work together with others.
How can I keep building my professional development in procurement outside of this programme and/or after I graduate? As a graduate of the Diploma in NZ Public Sector Procurement and a Member of the New Zealand Procurement Institute, you will have opportunities to attend forums, seminars and tutorials as well as benefit from emerging best practices in procurement that are directly applicable to public sector procurement practice in New Zealand.
We will aim to have regular refresher courses about enlightening procurement practices that are evolving throughout New Zealand and internationally.