CIPS Corporate Award Programme FAQs
Frequently asked questions about CIPS Corporate Award
What is the CIPS Corporate Award?
The CIPS Corporate Award, is a professional development programme that offers a work-based assignment-based route to achieving MCIPS.
We offer a corporate-wide learning and development opportunity for teams to follow a contextualised programme exclusive to participants from their organisation.
We can also offer an open syndicated programme for individuals from various organisations and sectors. These open programme offers a unique opportunity to learn alongside peers from different industries. Our learners gain a broader perspective by sharing cross-sector insights and real-world experiences.
Who is the Corporate Award for?
Organisations that want to develop procurement and supply talent, strengthen capability across teams, and create clear pathways for professional development and career progression.
Individuals who want to develop their procurement and supply skills and knowledge that prefer work-based learning and practical application over taking traditional exams.
All participants in corporate teams, or on an open syndicated programme, have the opportunity to progress to MCIPS Chartered professional status.
What are the benefits of the CIPS Corporate Award?
- For corporate teams: It delivers a structured framework to develop talent, improve overall procurement performance, increased employee retention, and builds sustainable organisational capability.
- For Individuals: It offers a direct pathway to recognised professional accreditation, by applying your learning directly to real-world workplace challenges rather than taking exams.
All participants in corporate teams, or on an open syndicated programme, have the opportunity to progress to MCIPS Chartered professional status.
Can employees achieve MCIPS through the Corporate Award?
Yes. The Advanced Practitioner Programme provides a work-based assignment route to MCIPS, allowing professionals to achieve globally recognised accreditation through assignments rather than traditional exams.
Does the Corporate Award Programme include exams?
No. The programme uses work-based assignments instead of exams, enabling learners to apply their knowledge to real business activities that deliver practical outcomes.
How is the learning for the Corporate Award delivered?
The learning programme combines interactive workshops, work-based assignments, and supporting resources such as webinars, eLearning, forums, podcasts, and expert guidance from CIPS tutors, all MCIPS professionals.
What levels are available in the Corporate Award Programme?
The programme has two levels, this includes Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner pathways. Learners that successfully complete the Practitioner Programme will be awarded Diploma membership and those that successfully complete the Advanced Practitioner can apply to upgrade to MCIPS Chartered professional status.
How long does the Corporate Award take?
The Practitioner programme typically takes 12 months to complete, while the Advanced Practitioner programme takes approximately 18 months.
Can the programme be tailored to my organisation?
Yes. Our corporate programmes are adapted to address specific organisational challenges and business objectives, ensuring learning is directly relevant to your procurement and supply function. The open programme is not contextualised but does offer learners the opportunity to learn alongside peers from different industries gaining a broader perspective by sharing cross-sector insights and real-world experiences.
Why choose the CIPS Corporate Award?
The CIPS Corporate Award combines professional development with measurable business impact. By linking learning to real workplace projects, organisations can build procurement capability, improve performance, and support employees on a recognised pathway to professional accreditation.
