For Michael Olsen, Principal Procurement Officer (ICT) with the Queensland Department of Education, a career in procurement wasn’t part of the original plan. But soon after joining the Queensland Government, he realised it was an area that perfectly combined his skills, values, and desire to make a meaningful impact.
To take his career to the next level, Michael enrolled in the Advanced Diploma of Procurement and Contracting (Level 4), an 18-month UQ Skills program delivered in partnership with AcademyGlobal.
“I wanted to get a deeper understanding of how everything fits together,” Michael said.
“The program helped me connect the dots between strategy, policy, legislation and operations.
“I got a much clearer understanding of how procurement decisions are guided by legislation and policy, and how these are implemented by leaders and teams at all levels of the organisation.”
As Michael stepped into more senior roles with the Queensland Department of Education, he found the leadership components particularly valuable.
“It’s given me the confidence to communicate with executives and understand the reasoning behind policies and decisions,” he said.
“When you know the legislation and the ‘why’ behind what you do, you can speak with more certainty.
“That’s really powerful in building trust and capability across the team and wider organisation.”
Studying the Advanced Diploma of Procurement and Contracting was challenging and rewarding, Michael shares.
“Managing work, family, and study commitments was challenging with the amount of material we had to cover, but I had great support.
“The trainers were engaging, always open to questions, and genuinely cared about helping us succeed.
“And our leaders within the Department gave us the time and flexibility to complete the program. That made a huge difference.”
For Michael, procurement is more than purchasing. It’s a profession that plays a crucial role in protecting the public interest.
“Procurement and contracting ensures the government gets value for money, that suppliers compete on a fair and transparent playing field, and that the process is accountable to the people of Queensland.”
“The work we do protects government and Queenslanders from public waste and poor contractual arrangements. That’s no small feat.”
Looking ahead, Michael hopes to continue building his skills and contributing to government projects that have lasting impact.
“With the 2032 Olympics coming up, there’s never been a more exciting time to be in government.
“I’m looking forward to playing my part — using strategic, ethical, and informed procurement practices to make a real difference.”
Explore UQ Skills and AcademyGlobal procurement programs:
