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Guidance

Practitioner two-page flyer (HTML)

Updated 12 August 2026

About the programme

Practitioner training will help public sector contract managers to secure better value for money and service efficiency from external contracts. It is a technical programme for:

  • anyone managing contracts with medium to high value and levels of risk - silver contracts as per the tiering tool
  • at least 6 to 12 months experience in a role managing contracts
  • contract managers who can provide workplace evidence to meet the Contract Management Professional Standards from within the last 5 years

 The ‘need to know’ details

Practitioner is a transferable accreditation across the public sector.

There is an exclusive focus on UK public sector contracts.

Accreditation is gained through an ePortfolio assessment that evidences how knowledge and skills have been demonstrated in the workplace.

If you are taking the training and assessment pathway, you will spend a minimum of 7 to 10 hours per week of the first 6 weeks on training and ePortfolio build.

The wider benefits

The headlines from 2025…

  • 92% completing the course have made contract savings
  • £182m typical cost savings per annum have been reported
  • 75% learners now feel more skilled in managing risk
  • 79% learners have brought about contract efficiencies

The modules

Module 1 - Commercial awareness

Covers pre-procurement, contract terms, financial language, risk awareness

Module 2 - Contract mobilisation

Covers planning, the Intelligent Client Function, governance

Module 3 - Contract risk and change

Covers risk mindset and management, performance-related risk, change control

Module 4 - Managing contract delivery

Covers decision-making, reporting, managing performance, disputes

Module 5 - Supplier and stakeholder relationships

Covers supplier relationship management, engagement and treatment strategies

Module 6 - Contract exit and transition

Covers planning, exit, transition, managing suppliers and stakeholders during the phase

Cost

£6,100 (practitioner training and assessment)

£2,200 (practitioner assessment only)

Enrolment

Via contract lead and the Contract Management Pathfinder tool

Foundation accreditation is a prerequisite

Timelines

Eight weeks of training and/or live cohort manager support with a further 8 weeks of live cohort manager support leading up to ePortfolio submission

Four weeks for assessment and moderation

Practicalities

Online blended learning and live workshops, assessment via ePortfolio of evidence