The newly formed Professional Body Forum, aimed at dealing with issues in the supply chain management and purchasing training landscape, held its inaugural meeting in March, in Centurion, and 26 professional bodies partici- pated at the event.

Chartered Institute of Purchas- ing and Supply (CIPS) Southern Africa MD and host of the meeting Andre Coetzee said: “There is a clear need for a forum of this nature [to speak] with one voice on matters such as the Green Paper on Post-School Education and Training, besides others. It is also significant for the sake of networking with other professional bodies on matters of mutual concern.”

South African Qualifications Authority CEO Joe Samuels addressed the bodies on the Green Paper on Post-School Education and Training and also updated all present on the progress of the pilot project launched last year on the recognition of professional bodies and registration of their professional designations on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), in terms of the NQF Act.

“We are excited about the posi- tive response and trust that this forum will grow from strength to strength,” says CIPS head of professional development and education Carin Stoltz-Urban, who was instrumental in the creation of this new body.

The next meeting of the forum will be hosted by the Institute of Directors towards the end of April.

A global professional body, CIPS Southern Africa, represents South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Angola, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique. The organisation, in partnership with various institutions in those countries, works to serve the purchasing and supply profession and to promote good practice.

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