The world of contract management is changing fast, and solid training is needed to navigate its often complex waters with ease. With the imminent introduction of a co-payment on courses funded through the French personal training account (CPF), the need to train becomes even more pressing, underlining the importance of investing in education before these changes take effect.
1. The need for training in contract management
a) Why train?
Training in contract management brings a wide range of benefits, from mastering the legal and regulatory aspects to understanding the financial and commercial subtleties of contracts. It not only optimises contractual performance but also minimises risk, increases profitability and improves internal and external collaboration. Our earlier article on the good reasons to train in contract management gives a detailed overview of those benefits.
b) Making the most of your CPF with no co-payment
With the coming changes to the funding of professional training through the CPF, it is crucial to anticipate and plan your contract management training now. Investing in training before these changes lets you take full advantage of the current support and position yourself well in an increasingly competitive professional landscape.
2. Defining your training project properly
Choosing the right contract management course depends on several factors, such as your professional objectives, your current level of experience and the specific skills you want to develop. Whether you are looking to discover the discipline, change career, or become an expert in the field, it is essential to select a course suited to your needs.
The main selection criteria:
- Career objectives: Is your aim to become a recognised expert or to understand the basics for immediate application?
- Length and level of the course: Courses vary greatly in length and depth. A long, intensive course may be necessary for full mastery, while a shorter one may be enough to acquire the basics.
- Accreditation and recognition: Favour courses recognised by professionals in the sector and accredited by competent bodies.
- Sector: contract management practice can vary from one sector to another (rail, energy, construction, defence, aerospace, naval, and so on). It is therefore essential to choose a course whose teaching team and syllabus fit your professional plans.
3. The top 5 contract management courses
As we saw in the first two sections of this article, training is a strategic move for anyone who wants to progress (and help their organisation progress) in contract management. It is essential to define your "WHY", in other words your training project, before rushing in head first. Once the outline of your project is clear, we have selected five high-quality courses and certifications to help you make it happen.
a) Ecole Europeenne de Contract Management (E2CM)
This is the reference school in the field. Established in 2013 and the first contract management training centre, E2CM has a rich syllabus available in several formats, and a large community of contract managers it has trained.
For more on fees, syllabus and admissions, click here.
b) University diploma from Universite Pantheon-Assas
This university diploma, delivered by the best law faculty in France, offers a specialisation in contract management with a focus on legal and operational aspects, ideal for those who want to combine law and contract management. Its teaching team, made up of legal and contract directors from major industrial groups, guarantees a pragmatic and operational approach to the subject.
For more on fees, syllabus and admissions, click here.
c) Lefebvre Dalloz training
With more than 1,500 courses in its catalogue, Lefebvre Dalloz needs no introduction on the training market. Its course, lasting 10 days in total, is split into five two-day modules covering the main principles of contract management, and will be ideal for beginners and/or for buyers, lawyers and engineers changing career.
For more on fees, syllabus and admissions, click here.
d) University diploma from the University of Bordeaux
Being redesigned as these lines are written, the University of Bordeaux's contract management diploma has a few distinctive features: it also covers project management and management control, giving a 360-degree view and understanding of the contract manager's job. Case studies, coaching and role-plays complete a genuine immersion in the contract manager's daily life.
For more on fees, syllabus and admissions, click here.
e) Ecole des Ponts certificate
Aimed mainly at contract managers starting out and at complex projects (infrastructure, construction, major projects, and so on), the syllabus and the teaching team deliver a highly operational and holistic approach to contract management, with a strong emphasis on the contractual and financial engineering of projects that is characteristic of these major schemes. A certificate we recommend to every contract manager starting out in the construction and infrastructure world.
For more on fees, syllabus and admissions, click here.
f) Prime Conseil!
Yes, Prime Conseil also means training. Courses designed to be extremely practical, aimed at non-contract managers, with the aim of giving project managers, sales people, buyers and executives the keys to embed contract management in their daily practice. The bonus: a course already tested with more than 200 engineers, buyers and sales people, designed not as a lecture but as a genuinely practical immersion, punctuated by case studies and role-plays tailored to your daily work and your business.
To find out more about our training offer, visit our dedicated page.
Conclusion
As in other fields, the contract management training landscape has developed considerably in France in recent years and is now full of quality courses able to meet the varied needs of professionals wishing to specialise in this area. Whether you are starting out or looking to deepen your knowledge, and whether you work in construction, automotive or aerospace, there is probably a course for you; the trick is to identify it properly beforehand.
In any event, given the rapid evolution of contractual practice and the growing importance of this discipline in business, continuing training in contract management appears not only a sensible choice but a necessity for those who aspire to excel in their careers. Beyond the courses presented above, you can find other consultants through the Annuaire des consultants.