Training & Events
Social procurement training & events
BCSPI offers core social procurement training sessions and subject-specific webinars designed to help governments and institutional purchasers implement social procurement practices across their purchasing. Members get free unlimited access to core training and all other webinars and events. Non-members can access webinars and other events at cost.
SP101 - Introduction to Social Procurement
BCSPI Social Procurement Training - SP101
This session provides a complete introduction to social procurement concepts. Understand the what, why and how of social procurement and how it can play a role in COVID-19 recovery. Explore social procurement principles, best practices and examples, and learn to identify opportunities and next steps.
SP201 - Social Procurement Implementation
BCSPI Social Procurement Training - SP201
This session digs deeper into implementation and connects social procurement outcome measurement with achieving local social and community development objectives. During this session attendees will work through a variety of procurement scenarios in groups from setting objectives, to including them in bid language to measuring outcomes.
SP301 - Social Procurement In Construction Projects
BCSPI Social Procurement Training - SP301
This two-part session focuses on the implementation of social procurement in construction and infrastructure projects under $250K. Topics covered include project planning and monitoring, identifying objectives and outcomes and options for unbundling of larger contracts.
Social procurement training webinars
BCSPI hosts social procurement training in a variety of subject-specific webinars featuring procurement and industry experts. These sessions help provide purchasing professionals with knowledge and learning to support implementation.
Social procurement events
Purchasing Power 2022-2023
Are you interested in learning more about how procurement can benefit local communities? Join us for the second annual Purchasing Power series.
Hosted by the British Columbia Social Procurement Initiative (BCSPI), this series features leaders who exploring how local governments and institutions can use the power of purchasing to address the issues that matter in our communities.
Purchasing Power 2022-2023: Session Recaps
With speakers:
Janine Kruse, Manager, Indigenous and Rural Relations Department
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Matthew Foss, Research & Public Policy
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
Tim Laronde, National Director Indigenous Strategy
Chandos Construction
With speakers:
Sue Maxwell, Board Chair
Zero Waste BC
Jane Rushton, Purchasing Manager
City of Nanaimo
Purchasing Power 2021-2022: Recap
Revisit the highlights from Purchasing Power’s first series in 2021/2022 where we explored how social procurement can engage Indigenous businesses, support local economies, increase food security, support diversity and inclusion, and address climate change.
Event recordings and recaps are linked below, or get the high level takeaways in the 2021/2022 Series Wrap Up.
With speakers:
Judy Kitts, First Nations Engagement Manager
Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
Ron Arcos, Business Development Officer
Nuu-chah-nulth Economic Development Corporation
With speakers:
Amy Robinson, Founder & Executive Director
LOCO BC
Alisha Masongsong, Community Economic Development Planner
City of Vancouver
With speakers:
Heather O’Hara
Executive Director
BC Farmers Markets
Jennifer Reynolds,
Co-Executive Director
Nourish
With speakers:
Nerissa Allen, Co-Founder and President
Black Business Association of BC (BBABC)
Dugan Selkirk
Business Advisor for the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
Community Futures BC
With speakers:
Mayor Karen Elliott
District of Squamish
Yamila Franco, Co-Founder
Nyoka