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NEWS
SKILLS FOR SUCCESS
Engin Mustafa is chair of the Learning & Development Network. He believes that all employees should have access to on-going continuing professional development
agenda. In particular it emphasised the importance of qualifications to both individuals and the professionalisation of the sector. Almost 20 years ago, in 1992, Lord Benson in the House of Lords described a ‘profession’ in terms of nine obligations to the public. He identified the second obligation thus: ‘…the governing body must set adequate standards of education as a condition of entry and thereafter ensure that students obtain an acceptable standard of professional competence. Training and education do not stop at qualification. They must continue throughout the member’s professional life’. The BPA understands the need to have a body of knowledge and qualifications that relate to those who are employed within it. We now have a suite of bespoke qualifications that allow for the development of the workforce; these are helping to drive our professionalism agenda. The qualifications are a vital part of improving the standing of
T
he Learning & Development Network forum really brought home the impact and importance of the skills
the profession with the public at large and allowing our staff to provide an effective service.
Not so obvious is the impact the qualifications have on individuals and the need to continue to drive the qualifications agenda. The Workforce Survey Update, released in 2011, revealed that although the UK Parking Sector Skills Strategy has raised the skills and qualifications levels of those working in the parking sector, it is still less qualified than the UK average. More than a fifth of the overall workforce are not qualified above level 2 and, of these, 5.6 per cent have no formal qualifications. The challenge clearly remains to continue in the development of our workforce, particularly those who have not achieved formal recognition of their skills.
On an individual basis, the achievement of qualifications provides personal recognition. It is also a permanent record of an employee’s level of knowledge and provides evidence of application and commitment. But qualifications are more than just a
We must ensure that, through continuing
professional development, existing employees are kept up-to-date within an ever-changing working environment
piece of paper – they also provide a sense of confidence and satisfaction. I have heard the most well-qualified individuals saying that qualifications do not matter – and of course there are more important things than certificates and pieces of paper. But qualifications matter a great deal because their achievement gives individuals knowledge, skills and attitudes. As more individuals achieve formal qualifications, the rising expectations of employers that their existing and prospective employees will have them adds a further value to achieving them. As the workforce becomes more qualified, so our industry will become more defined as a profession.
Ephraim Olumewo of the London Borough of Newham explains why staff development helps reduce staff turnover
arking enforcement is an area often surrounded by controversy. It is a part of everyday life but it can be seen in negative terms because of the financial impact parking control has on individuals, families, and businesses across the country. This makes it expedient for all interested groups to regularly come together to discuss and resolve any grey areas in parking enforcement and operation.
P 26 MAY 2012
Through consultation and communications, members of the public will learn to see parking as open and transparent enough in its operation to make them realise that it is beneficial for the local councils to control parking and its enforcement. The alternative – to allow vehicles to park indiscriminately – inevitably leads to chaos. This, l believe might have informed the organisers and facilitators
of the Learning & Development Network held in February.
I see the L & D Network as a way to update my knowledge about an ever-increasing scope of operations and delivery of quality service. This forum affords me the opportunity to catch up with the changes in legislations, style of enforcement and operations, new equipment and technology in use; it is also essential to link up with existing City & Guilds parking qualifications providers.
My attendance at the last network widened my knowledge in more than one area. I was made particularly aware of the many
www.britishparking.co.uk
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