3.12 The OGC has two procurement entry schemes. These are:
• the Government Procurement Graduate Scheme, which is a two-year programme aimed at equipping graduates for a career in procurement and contract management, through a combination of work experience and formal learning and development. The OGC anticipates that it will raise the profile of the procurement profession and bring in graduates with leadership potential. Since its launch in 2007, there have been 47 graduates recruited. So far, the scheme's impact has been limited. The MoD and DWP continue to run their own graduate schemes, in parallel, whilst commercial directors of departments with small commercial teams have told us that they struggle to take on graduates because of headcount restrictions and the training commitments involved. The OGC considers the scheme to be a long term measure to improving commercial skills that needs more time to be seen as being fully effective; and
• the Fast Stream Procurement Placement Scheme, which began in January 2009, aims to equip future senior civil servants with better commercial awareness. This is done by offering civil service fast streamers the opportunity of a six to 12-month placement in the commercial function of a department. To date, twenty fast streamers have taken part.