The British Parking Association (BPA), with support from the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA), is to develop a sector skills strategy for the parking industry.
The BPA says it believes that the provision of professional qualifications for people working in the parking industry is key to recruiting and retaining the right people, as well as raising standards of performance. Alistair Robertson of 5s Consulting has been appointed by the BPA to undertake this work. In developing the strategy, Mr Robertson will, the BPA says:
undertake an assessment of the current and future skill needs
assess current provision
analyse any gaps and weaknesses in the workforce activity
develop an action plan
develop a qualifications structure that will cover the industry from top to bottom
What they say
Keith Banbury, chief executive of the BPA, says: "Currently, a handful of qualifications are available for operational staff, such as the Parking NVQ and the recently established City & Guilds Parking Attendants certificate, but no defined qualification structure exists for the entire parking sector. This means it is difficult for people to follow a career path that will take them from an operational to a managerial level. The strategy will address this and, in particular, will look at developing degree level qualifications. People are the primary asset of the industry and, therefore, our ability to improve depends largely on one factor alone – the quality of the individuals involved. And their effectiveness depends on the value of the education and training they receive throughout their careers. It is thus essential that we develop a proper skills strategy and qualifications structure for parking as quickly as possible."
The BPA adds that the aim is to reduce skill shortages and improve retention rates in the industry; and improve quality and public service performance.
Mr Robertson will be guided by a Steering Group from all sectors of the industry and, to start the research stage of the project, the BPA is asking parking professionals to take a few minutes to complete a questionnaire/feedback form that is available at www.5sconsulting.com/parking
The aim is to complete the strategy and the qualifications development plan within a year, following consultation in the industry.
