Future Procurement Professionals – How do you get one?

Are you a public procurement leader and budgeting for 2025 staffing and/ or succession planning or just plain short on resources and need some help.

It gets more and more challenging to find skilled employees in procurement and we seem to have less and less time to train new staff.  Workloads keep increasing and resources feel like they are dwindling or at least being stretched. We’ve all felt it, sometimes it’s just hard to keep up. 

Advancements in the digital world brings efficiency and process improvements but does little to take the work away or reduce the pressure. Our work in public procurement keeps growing and with each implementation of an “improvement” our world moves a little bit faster, and we often find we are tasked with doing a little bit more.

Not unlike many professions, Public Procurement is seeing a huge knowledge base walk out the door through retirements, and remote work opportunities have made the options for employees so much greater geographically. With the strain on resources and budgets not always allowing us to do what we need to do; students can be one way to get some help.

Many of our current Procurement Leaders or seasoned Buyers “landed” in procurement, we may say even that we got here by accident.  But today students are choosing this amazing profession. Whether it be supply chain, procurement, purchasing, or related roles, procurement plays a key role in both the private and public sector and students want to be part of it and Post Secondary schools are stepping up. Just look at the programs being offered today: 

How do we support this trend and how do we bring those students who have chosen Procurement as a career into our agencies, into public procurement and how do we become their employer of choice?

It can start with a summer student program, internships and co-ops.  There are a multitude of opportunities to engage with post-secondary students both in paid and unpaid positions.  Some of the programs require students to gain work experience in order to graduate. 

What if budget is a concern? Here’s some helpful information:

No worries you may still be able to proceed, there are subsidies available that even government agencies can apply for. Check out this link for a listing of wage subsidies:

Find wage subsidies to hire students in STEM or business – Canada.ca

There is also a Canada Summer Jobs subsidy link here, specifically including not- for-profit and public sector employers:

Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidies – Canada.ca

Still no budget? That doesn’t mean you can’t hire a student. Reach out to some of the post secondary institutions and find out whether they have internship or co-op programs. Some  of the College programs require students to complete practical work or an internship. It’s worth looking into as hiring a co-op student for a project can be a win/win. You get some extra help, and they gain valuable work experience.

Ok you got budget approval to hire a student, now how do you get the students to apply and when do you hire?

Post it – they will come!

Once you have approval and are ready to post your job, contact the post secondary institutions included here to post the roles on their job boards and career centres.  Many post secondary programs have students participate in mock interviews and will have resources to assist students in creating or updating their resume. It’s great to connect with your local post secondary institutions to ask how they are supporting students in co-ops, internships, and summer job search.

Don’t forget to post your job opening on OPBA.ca as well! Did you know that OPBA offers students a discounted membership ($25)? This is OPBA’s way of helping students learn about the advantages of a career in Public Procurement and building foundations for future Procurement Professionals.

Many agencies will post their summer student opportunities in the late Fall or end of the year with hiring going on through December, January, February. The student roles tend to start at the end of April, early May, after the exam periods are complete and go through the summer to the end of August or first week of September.

What is the impact of a Summer Student Program?

We reached out to OPBA members to seek some testimonials and a couple of students shared their experiences.

Student Testimonials:

“Working as a summer student here (Town of Ajax Finance); really helped open my eyes on how public sectors operate – you’re in the thick of things, seeing how decisions shape communities both directly and indirectly. Being able to work for my own community makes me feel great knowing I’m making a positive impact. Plus, you get a peek behind the scenes of different departments of the municipality, understanding how they all fit together to ensure seamless operations. You learn so much as well; it’s prep school for a future where you feel like you can truly make a difference.”

Aaron Farhan, Western University Accounting; Graduating 2026 – future career plan: CPA

“My time as a summer student in the Purchasing Department of the Town of Whitby was a big step in my career. It not only taught me practical skills and knowledge but also helped me understand how the government works and its impact on society. This experience has made me determined to pursue a career in purchasing or procurement in public service and policymaking.

Working in the Town of Whitby’s Purchasing Department gave me the chance to be part of projects that directly helped the community. I saw how government plans are made, carried out, and reviewed to meet the needs of society. Seeing how public policies affect people inspired me to want to make positive changes through public service.

Collaborating with professionals in the public agency showed me different ways to handle complex procurement issues. Working together improved my communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, helping me work well with colleagues from different backgrounds. These experiences not only added to my academic knowledge but also gave me practical skills for dealing with the complexities of public administration.

Looking back at this journey, one quote stands out to me, “My summer job in the Town of Whitby’s Purchasing Department showed me how important it is to have good procurement practices that support public agencies and benefit the community.” I’m thankful for the opportunities and lessons I got in the Town of Whitby’s Purchasing Department. This experience has shaped my career goals, making me eager to contribute to society through public service in the purchasing and procurement field. I’m excited to continue this journey and make a positive impact in the communities I serve.”

Julie Pham, Business Administration – Supply Chain Management. Graduating 2025.

Durham College Testimonial Jennifer SouchMSc, MBA, PMP®, CPIM Professor & Program Coordinator  Global Supply Chain Management – Graduate Certificate Program Faculty of Business | Durham College

“Co-op and summer student positions provide essential real-world experience for students in supply chain management programs. These opportunities allow students to apply their academic knowledge practically, gaining hands-on experience that enhances their skills and deepens their understanding. Such experiences are pivotal in preparing students for professional roles within the field, setting a solid foundation for their professional growth and equipping them to make significant contributions to organizations.”

 Here are links to our two main programs:

• Supply Chain and Operations Management – Business Administration (Co-op option available) | Durham College
• Supply Chain Management – Global (graduate certificate) | Durham College *

*Note from Michelle:  This graduate Certificate includes public procurement content!