November 5 - 6, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Virtual Learning

Registration closes Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM

DESCRIPTION

This course is the pre-requisite for the Principles of Effective Public Procurement certificate program, giving an introduction to policy and procedures, authority and agency, the public purchasing cycle and other aspects of the function of purchasing. Candidates will be given an overview of legal considerations purchasing staff need to know when developing and handling bid documents, deciding the best procurement option (tender and RFP processes), as well as discuss centralized versus decentralized procurement systems.

Instructor: Shellyann Henry, CSCMP

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

By the end of this course participants will be able to:
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of public procurement, and the differences from the private sector
• Explain the importance of developing clear purchasing policies and procedures
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a centralized and decentralized purchasing organization structure
• Outline the seven ’R’s of public purchasing and the steps associated with the public purchasing cycle
• Describe the legalities associated with public purchasing

DATE AND TIME

This six (6) hour Zoom Virtual Learning seminar has two (2) online sessions:

Wednesday, November 5th at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

AND

Thursday, November 6th at 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.

The Zoom meeting link and login information will be distributed before the first session.

PRE-WORK

Students will receive a short pre-work assignment to complete approximately 10 days before the first session. If you have not received course materials/pre-work, etc. prior to the course you are registered for, you are responsible for emailing members@opba.ca to obtain them before your course start date.

REFUNDS & PAYMENTS

Please refer to our refund + payment policy for information regarding cancelations and/or refunds.

FORMAT

Learn more about the Zoom platform and its system requirements here. Remember to use a wired internet connection (as opposed to wi-fi, if possible) for the best viewing experience.

OPBA Principles Program seminars are designed for student participation. In order to get the most out of the session and ensure two-way discussion, students are encouraged to fully participate by having camera and microphone on during the virtual session, or to actively participate in chat where access to a A/V equipment is not possible.

Students are also encouraged to maintain a respectful learning environment by minimizing multi-tasking distractions, and background noise. Please ensure mobile phones and computer notifications are off or muted, and place yourself on mute until you want to, or are called upon, to speak.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Attendance Credit: Six (6) contact hours. Students must attend both sessions to receive course credit.

Program Textbook: The Principles of Effective Public Purchasing 2014 Edition textbook augments the course content and is the only study guide for the final exam, but is not required for in-class learning. Students who are currently registered in an OPBA seminar qualify to purchase the textbook at a discounted rate from the OPBA Store.

Program Enrollment: If you plan to apply this seminar toward the Principles of Effective Public Procurement certificate program, you must enroll in the program within nine (9) months of completing this seminar.

REGISTRATION

Space is limited: Register early to avoid disappointment. There will be a $25 late fee applied to join this course after the registration deadline. Please email members@opba.ca to request a late registration. 

Cancelations: In writing only, up to ten (10) business days before the event, after which we regret that we cannot refund your registration fee.

Registration Fees:

Please refer to our refund + payment policy for information regarding cancelations and/or refunds.

Registration closes Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM