BPA Initiates Development of Skills Strategy for Parking Industry

Alistair Robertson of 5s Consulting has been appointed by the BPA to undertake this work. In developing the strategy, Mr Robertson will:

· 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

Keith Banbury, chief executive of the BPA, comments: "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."

Developing professional qualifications for the industry will help to:
· reduce skill shortages and improve retention rates in the industry
· improve quality and public service performance
· improve the knowledge and skill base of the sector at all levels

Mr Robertson will be guided by a Steering Group from all sectors of the industry and, in order to kick-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.

The aim is to complete the strategy and the qualifications development plan within a year, following wide consultation within the industry.

For more information about the development of the strategy, please contact the BPA on 01444 447300.