Part 4 - GDS, CDDO and i.AI all under one roof - perfect timing for a new ‘Digital Commercial’ profession

With the UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS), Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) and Incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI) now contained in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) it is perfect timing for a new ‘Digital Commercial’ profession.

In my three previous blog posts I talked about: the perceived complications of procurement, the benefits of user-centred design, and collaborative working in multidisciplinary teams (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/gds-cddo-iai-all-under-one-roof-what-move-i-hugely-support-kershaw-brnre/?trackingId=J06fcCD2jV5bEX3nkVzVVQ%3D%3D).

I also highlighted the importance of getting a grip of the environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits of digital (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/part-2-gds-cddo-iai-all-under-one-roof-now-lets-get-david-kershaw-rnu8e/?trackingId=utpn5gijyfTBHhU49ljpFw%3D%3D), how to enable true contract ownership and the need to learn from others overseas (https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/part-3-gds-cddo-iai-all-under-one-roof-global-digital-david-kershaw-wpkbe/?trackingId=iLXTf9Ut6%2B7GMXT%2BqR65Pw%3D%3D).?

In this last blog post I think it's important to talk about capability and capacity - after all, although AI can help improve procurement operations, it's the procurement professionals who will add the real value (and we shouldn’t forget that).?Nor should we forget the future generations and ensuring they are suitably qualified with relevant modern day experience and methods.

Developing digital career pathways across all enabling professions

There are currently significant shortcomings in the procurement career pathways into both public sector digital transformation, and private sector supply in support of digitisation.?

The current set of curriculum does not equip future practitioners to tackle 21st century challenges of digital public service delivery. A new 'Digital Commercial' profession represents a major paradigm shift forwards, compared to what we see today.

There are some of us who know what is needed: a collective approach of all institutes with chartered status that represent these enabling functions - CIPS - The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply , The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy , Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development - IOM College , THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF LEGAL EXECUTIVES , Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors ,?etc - with a focus on developing digital era curricula to ensure the right skills and a talent pipeline that’s fit for 21st century challenges of public service.

This will require a collaborative effort between public, private and education (further and higher) sectors and the chartered institutes, to co-design and mainstream these curricula.

Don't fall into procurement - choose it

Digital Commercial needs to be both a career destination of choice and the public sector a recruiter of choice for such talent. Hearing that people “fell into public procurement” should become a quirk of an outdated era.

Rotations of people between public sector and public supply (private and third) sector organisations should be supported, to ensure more rounded professional development and broadening of perspectives, e.g. apprenticeships, 'earn while you learn' schemes, etc.

A new time to promote this

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has an opportunity to promote this which I believe supports the following Labour 2024 General Election Manifesto missions:

‘Break down barriers to opportunity’, and specifically these supporting elements of that mission:

• ‘A modern curriculum so young people are ready for work and life’; and
• ‘High-quality apprenticeships and specialist technical colleges’.

‘Kickstart economic growth’, and specifically these supporting elements of that mission:

• ‘Strategic partnership through industrial strategy’;
• ‘Driving innovation’; and
• ‘Support for small business and the self-employed’.

If you are interested in working with me, Warren Smith , Kseniya Shuturminska and our team to further this work please do get in contact.