Media Release
Why a Career in Procurement Stands Out Above Other Professions - Procurement is Shaping the Future of Our World
By Teresa Scott, Executive Director, Australasian Procurement & Construction Council (APCC) in collaboration with AcademyGlobal (AG)
Wednesday 30 October 2024
A career in public procurement offers the unique opportunity to be at the forefront of driving meaningful change—shaping sustainable futures, supporting innovation, and promoting social equity while playing a critical role in advancing global and national objectives.
#PublicProcurementMatters – In this article, I’ll explore the dynamic growth of public procurement as a rewarding career path, while highlighting some of the exciting and emerging trends shaping the field today.
Public procurement is no longer just about maximising efficiency and delivering compliant value-for-money outcomes. It's evolving into a strategic force, with procurement professionals playing a pivotal role in addressing critical government objectives like inflation control, reducing the cost of living, and driving environmental sustainability. Procurement is shaping the future of our world.
How can this be?
Public procurement infrastructure spend
The Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation (OECD) has forecast that total global infrastructure investment requirements by 2030 will come to AU$107 trillion (3.5% of the annual world GDP from 2007 to 2030).
Infrastructure Australia's 2023 report highlights that Australia's infrastructure pipeline is valued at $230 billion over the next five years, representing a significant increase from previous years.
The 2024-25 Budget committed $96.5 billion towards nation-building projects in the program.
This growing infrastructure pipeline reflects the critical role that public procurement will play in managing and delivering these projects, particularly as governments increasingly look to procurement professionals to ensure value for money, sustainability, and resilience.
But this is just the tip of the public procurement iceberg.
The World Bank has estimated the value of annual global public procurement at almost $2.35 trillion.… $2,346,248,230,000.00 to be precise.
Australia and New Zealand have an estimated annual public procurement spend of over $410 billion, which accounts for 40% of total government expenditure in Australia and 37% in New Zealand.
As governments across Australasia invest unprecedented amounts into infrastructure and other procurement activities, procurement professionals are at the helm, ensuring these projects not only meet budgetary targets but also deliver on productivity, resilience, sustainability, and social objectives. With global public procurement valued at over $2.35 trillion annually, procurement is no longer just a support function—it's a strategic powerhouse shaping the world's future.
A career in public procurement places you at the forefront of major community-shaping projects. As governments invest in infrastructure, procurement professionals drive outcomes that shape the future through productivity, resilience, sustainability, and social value. No longer a support function, procurement is a strategic force powering stronger, sustainable communities.
Public procurement as a tool of government to achieve economic, social and environmental outcomes
Procurement's role as an enabler has never been more critical. In Australasia and beyond, public sector procurement is driving transformative change—advancing climate sustainability, fostering innovation, supporting SMEs, and promoting social equity through ethical business practices. On a global scale, procurement is a key tool for achieving the ambitious 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with an estimated 80% of its indicators tied to public purchasing decisions. By leveraging its immense buying power, procurement is not just a facilitator of transactions but a force for achieving a more sustainable, equitable, and innovative future.
A career in public procurement offers unparalleled opportunities to be a driving force for positive global change—empowering professionals to contribute to sustainability, innovation, and social equity while shaping the future through strategic and impactful purchasing decisions.
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public procurement
It is an exciting time to be in public procurement, with artificial intelligence (AI) revolutionising the field and opening new doors for innovation. AI is transforming procurement processes by automating routine tasks, analysing vast datasets for smarter decision-making, and enhancing supply chain transparency. Procurement professionals can now lead the integration of AI-driven tools, streamlining operations while ensuring ethical sourcing and sustainability goals are met. As AI continues to evolve, those in public procurement will be at the cutting edge of leveraging technology to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and drive strategic outcomes that align with broader government objectives.
This intersection of AI and procurement offers an unparalleled chance to shape the future of public service delivery.
#PublicProcurementMatters. Join the public procurement profession today.
Media inquiries
For further information or to interview Ms Scott please contact the APCC office on 02 6285 2255 or email info@apcc.gov.au
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