Achilles EU Academy supplier management services launched

The direct route to achieving the highest standards in procurement practice.

Achilles and its EU Services team announced today that it is launching the Achilles EU Academy.

The Achilles EU Academy has been established to fill a need for more in-depth training in EU procurement rules for organisations in the utilities and public sector in the UK and Ireland. As the saying goes, ‘A little knowledge is a dangerous thing’ and within the last three months, there have been 11 instances of organisations being taken to court for non-compliance with EU law.

The Achilles EU Academy is unique in helping procurement teams to fully understand and comply with EU procurement legislation when placing contracts.The Academy work with teams of typically 10-15 people over a six month period and take them from first principles to the issuing of fully compliant contracts. The training is conducted in-house or through open courses and the first customer is signed up for a February start.

Achilles’ approach gives organisations a shared understanding of risk versus legislation which provides individuals with the opportunity to practice together working as a team. Coursework will reinforce the learning and there will be ongoing support from Achilles’ own specialists in EU procurement legislation.

Topics covered will include the understanding of EU rules, frameworks, sustainability under EU rules, compliant OJEU notices, selection and award criteria, remedies and pulling it all together.

During the course, the attendees build up a document library with slides and other practical materials and they will have full access to THEMiS – the specialist procurement decision support package used by over 500 utilities, public sector and private organisations in the UK and Ireland who are required to comply with EU procurement rules and regulations.