The programme runs for either 15 months (standard route) or 8 months (fast track) on-programme, followed by an End-Point Assessment (EPA) period of 6 months.

Fast Track is subject to prior learning, experience and employer agreement in line with apprenticeship funding rules.

Procurement and Supply Assistants support the sourcing and purchasing of goods and services required by their organisation.

They typically work as part of a procurement and supply team and may interact with internal stakeholders, suppliers and other external organisations.

Their responsibilities may include:

• Supporting sourcing and procurement activities
• Researching potential suppliers, products and services
• Obtaining quotations and supporting tendering activities
• Supporting supplier selection
• Raising and managing purchase orders
• Maintaining procurement records and documentation
• Supporting contract administration
• Monitoring supplier performance
• Communicating with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Supporting negotiation activities
• Using procurement and organisational systems
• Analysing procurement and supply data
• Supporting demand and stock requirements
• Resolving routine procurement and supply issues
• Supporting responsible and sustainable procurement
• Working within organisational governance, policies and procedures

Procurement and Supply Assistants must combine commercial awareness with strong communication, organisation, analytical skills and professional integrity.

Typical job roles include Procurement Contracts Officer, Procurement Coordinator and Purchasing Assistant.

Funding: Levy and non-levy employer funding available.

Find out how apprenticeship funding works for your organisation on our apprenticeships for employers page, or speak to our team.

Delivery Model: Remote delivery supported by workplace application and development.

Delivery combines structured professional training with practical workplace application, enabling apprentices to develop procurement competence within their own organisation.

Delivery includes:

• Workplace-based learning
• Structured off-the-job training
• Tutor-led professional workshops
• Remote learning support
• Mandatory qualification delivery
• Procurement and sourcing activities
• Supplier and stakeholder-management development
• Commercial and data-analysis activities
• Professional discussions and reflective practice
• Portfolio development
• Work-based project development
• End-Point Assessment preparation

High Ridge Training's programme incorporates 348 planned off-the-job training hours, structured around the apprentice's occupational development and individual training needs.

Employers must provide protected time during working hours for required apprenticeship training and suitable workplace opportunities for apprentices to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the standard.

Before entering End-Point Assessment, apprentices must:

• Achieve Level 2 English and Maths (if required in line with current apprenticeship funding rules)
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the apprenticeship standard
• Successfully achieve the Advanced Certificate in Procurement & Supply Operations
• Complete their on-programme portfolio
• Scope and prepare the required work-based project
• Complete a minimum of 348 off-the-job training hours
• Be confirmed as occupationally competent by their employer

The EPA is conducted by an independent End-Point Assessment Organisation and typically includes:

• Work-Based Project followed by a Presentation with Questions and Answers: the apprentice completes a project relevant to their workplace and procurement role, produces the required project output and presents their work to an independent assessor
• Interview Underpinned by a Portfolio of Evidence: a structured interview exploring how the apprentice has applied their procurement and supply knowledge, skills and professional behaviours within their occupational role

The apprentice must successfully pass the EPA to achieve the full apprenticeship standard.

Full details are published in the official Procurement and Supply Assistant apprenticeship standard (ST0810) on Skills England.

• Employment within a suitable procurement or supply role
• Opportunities to support sourcing and purchasing activities
• Access to relevant procurement systems, processes and documentation
• Opportunities to interact with suppliers and internal stakeholders
• Opportunities to develop commercial and procurement knowledge
• Sufficient workplace responsibility to develop and demonstrate the requirements of the apprenticeship standard
• Commitment to ethical and professional procurement practices
• Motivation to develop within the procurement and supply profession

Individual English and Maths requirements will be identified during the initial assessment and enrolment process.

High Ridge Training will work with the apprentice and employer to ensure that the individual's role provides sufficient opportunities to develop and demonstrate the occupational competence required by the standard.

Employers can enquire about enrolling an apprentice onto this programme.

Successful completion provides a strong foundation for continued professional development within procurement, purchasing, commercial and supply chain roles.

Career and training progression opportunities may include:

• Level 4 Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner
• Level 3 Business Administration
• Procurement Assistant
• Procurement Officer
• Purchasing Assistant
• Assistant Buyer
• Junior Buyer
• Procurement Coordinator
• Supply Chain Coordinator
• Contracts Assistant
• Sourcing Assistant

With further occupational experience, professional qualifications and development, apprentices may progress into Buyer, Procurement Specialist, Category Management, Contract Management, Supplier Relationship Management and more senior procurement and supply roles.

The apprenticeship and mandatory professional qualification also provide a foundation for continued development through CIPS qualifications and professional membership, supporting longer-term progression towards MCIPS.

• Develop practical procurement and supply skills within a real working environment
• Achieve a mandatory professional procurement qualification alongside the apprenticeship
• Develop sourcing, supplier-management and commercial capability
• Strengthen stakeholder communication and relationship-management skills
• Build confidence using procurement systems and data
• Develop knowledge of ethical, responsible and sustainable procurement
• Strengthen negotiation and commercial awareness
• Gain an industry-recognised Level 3 apprenticeship
• Build a foundation for continued professional development through CIPS
• Develop transferable procurement skills relevant across public, private and third-sector organisations

Explore our sales, marketing and procurement apprenticeships or read more about apprenticeships for employers.

In addition to achieving the full apprenticeship standard, apprentices benefit from carefully selected added-value opportunities designed to strengthen professional credibility, workplace readiness and long-term career progression.

Professional Membership: CIPS Student Membership

Apprentices are supported to access Student Membership with the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) during their programme.

CIPS Student Membership provides an introduction to the professional procurement and supply community and supports apprentices throughout their professional studies.

Membership can help apprentices to:

• Develop their professional identity within procurement and supply
• Demonstrate commitment to the procurement profession
• Access procurement and supply insights and professional resources
• Access the CIPS Intelligence Hub and learning resources
• Engage with professional events and networking opportunities
• Access professional-development and career resources
• Build awareness of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Record and reflect on professional development
• Explore further CIPS qualifications and professional membership pathways
• Work towards longer-term professional recognition, including MCIPS

Introducing CIPS membership during the apprenticeship connects the learner's workplace development, professional qualification and longer-term career progression within the procurement and supply profession.

Accredited CPD: Health and Safety

Apprentices also complete an accredited Health and Safety Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course as part of their wider workplace development.

Although Procurement and Supply Assistants may primarily work within office, commercial or hybrid environments, their activities can involve interaction with suppliers, operational teams, warehouses, manufacturing environments and other workplace locations.

The training supports apprentices to:

• Understand fundamental workplace health and safety responsibilities
• Recognise common workplace hazards and risks
• Understand the importance of risk assessment and appropriate control measures
• Develop awareness of safe working practices
• Understand individual and employer health and safety responsibilities
• Recognise and report workplace safety concerns
• Understand the importance of following organisational safety procedures
• Contribute positively to a safe working environment

This additional training strengthens apprentices' wider workplace awareness and complements the professional responsibility expected within procurement and supply roles.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners. Apprentices receive ongoing pastoral, academic and professional support throughout their programme.