Empowering colleagues in their professional careers

At Thurston Group, we’re committed to helping our colleagues grow and thrive in their careers. That’s why we encourage them to seek out further professional development like the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) qualifications.

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) qualifications are the industry standard for anybody working in the procurement and supply industry. At Thurston, we believe in empowering colleagues to continue developing both professionally and personally, throughout their careers.

Joanne Hildred, materials administrator at Thurston, recently gained a CIPS level 4 qualification – a diploma in procurement and supply operations. CIPS is the only procurement body in the country and is the world’s largest professional body serving procurement and supply.

After deciding that the level 3 qualification would be too simple, Joanne opted to do the level 4 CIPS qualification, which is made up of eight exams.

To revise for the exams, Joanne attended sessions with the procurement academy, which gave structured lessons around each module, as well as revision days involving example questions to prepare people for the exams.

Joanne found this useful, as she was able to meet and share knowledge with other people within procurement, discussing how applying this knowledge could help them in their roles.

Here at Thurston, we’re keen to ensure our employees get the support they need in order to move forward in their roles. Every member of our senior leadership team is committed to making sure employees are helped in their professional and personal endeavours.

Managing director, Matt Goff played a big part in helping Joanne. Discussing Matt’s impact, Joanne said “He stepped in and really helped me when I felt as if no one else was. He gave me projects to work on and had weekly check ins with me to see how I was getting on.”

“Without his help, I don’t think I would have got the same result that I did,” she added, saying that Matt saw the potential she had, and wanted to help her go in the right direction, checking in weekly to see how she was getting on.

Joanne also thanked her manager Liz Addy, for giving her more opportunities with work, enabling her to grow.

Speaking about how the qualification has impacted her professionally, Joanne said: “I had drifted between a range of dead-end jobs and had really struggled to find any direction in my career in the last 7 years.

“Prior to doing this course I really didn’t understand any procurement theory, and I wasn’t effective within procurement because I didn’t know the reasons why I was doing what I was doing. I’m now making suggestions to the MD, and he trusts those suggestions. I can be proactive, rather than reactive by looking into new products and suppliers that will add value to the business. I can manage contracts, and I understand business in a way that I didn’t before,” she continued.

As part of the CPS diploma, Joanne completed a project report, detailing two areas of the procurement cycle. Through doing this, Joanne was able to determine the best option for a new waste management supplier, allowing Thurston to save money going forward, as well as increase the recovery and recycling rate of our waste.

The course has had a personal impact too, with Joanne saying, “The course has been incredibly beneficial to both my personal confidence and my professional capabilities. I am actually excited about what I can achieve in the future and furthering my CIPS knowledge.”

Speaking about Joanne, Matt said: “It was clear to see that Joanne could go far within the company, and she just needed that little extra nudge to get her on the path she needed to be on.

“After facing struggles at the start of her course, her determination to push through and earn her qualification was really inspired. Joanne is an incredible asset to Thurston, and we’re so happy that she’s now gaining more confidence in her work and abilities.”

Undertaking important qualifications such as the CIPS enables Thurston employees to strive forward in their careers, increasing skills and confidence, and helping us as a company to promote from within.

Joanne is planning to continue doing the CIPS certifications, and achieve the MCIPS, and FCIPS, which would allow her to assist other procurement professionals in the workplace.