Published
By CPC Helpdesk
Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) is delighted to announce that, as part of its ongoing commitment to procurement in education, we are again offering three bursary places on the CIPS Level 4 Diploma programme in Procurement and Supply.
The CIPS L4 Diploma in Procurement & Supply is a globally recognised qualification that can kickstart your career journey to achieving MCIPS Chartered Status. An Ofqual regulated qualification that equates to an undergraduate degree's first year, the programme is promoted as an essential toolkit for aspiring procurement professionals and is completed across eight modules, spread over a recommended period of 12 months. Places on the programme have previously been valued at more than £4,500. Successful applicants to CPC's bursary scheme will be able to pursue the Diploma free of charge, with extra benefits in support.
Applications will go live at the end of October, for commencement of study in April 2027 and, for the second successive year, CPC will be partnering with SR Supply Chain Consultants (SRSCC) as our dedicated training provider to deliver expert tuition.
Following the success of this initiative over the past few years, our three successful applicants will also receive access to free mentoring from CPC's Procurement Learning & Development Lead, Mark Pearson, a tenured procurement professional who plays a vital role in supporting CPC members across the education community, providing expertise from his 35+ year career.
CPC members can apply for this professional bursary opportunity (or nominate a colleague for consideration) by completing the online application form on our site, prior to a closing date of 22nd January 2027. In addition, we encourage any previous, unsuccessful applicants not to be deterred to apply, as we approach this year's selection process with a completely clean slate.
We would also like to recognise our 'Class of 2026' students, who successfully achieved their L4 Diplomas, earlier on this year.
The team at CPC offers huge congratulations to...
• Carron Harman, Sparsholt College (Hampshire)
• Retno Fawley, Pinnacle Learning Trust (Oldham)
• Tom Robertshaw, East Lancashire Learning Group
CPC's Procurement Learning & Development Lead, Mark Pearson, said, "I’m thrilled we’ve been able to contribute to these members’ professional development and well done again on this fantastic achievement. I’m delighted CPC continues to offer this fantastic opportunity, which is all part of our charitable objective to enhance and improve procurement in education".
CEO at SR Supply Chain Consultants, Susan Rashid, said: “We’re proud to be working with CPC again to help procurement professionals in education gain their CIPS Level 4 Diploma. Congratulations to Retno, Carron and Tom. Passing the Diploma while holding down busy roles in colleges and trusts takes real commitment and it’s been a pleasure supporting them". 👏
With education budgets under constant pressure, making every penny count has never mattered more... Procurement teams in education are often small, and the Diploma gives them the knowledge and confidence to secure real value for money for their institutions and learners. We’re looking forward to welcoming the next cohort in April 2027 - and we’d encourage any CPC member who’s been thinking about it to apply
CPC's participation in this professional bursary scheme has been enabled by our difference-making Giving Back programme, which reinvests in a wide range of purchases, projects and events across the education sector, supporting students and staff.
Interested parties can read more about our most recent cohort here, which supported institutions in Bootle, Hull and Preston.
Remember, if you're looking for procurement knowledge and knowhow, you can also make use of our dedicated Crescent Learning platform, which is home to various training courses and resources, including useful templates and lots more. 🖱️