BPA and Asset Skills Join Forces to Drive Up Standards in Parking

SSCs work with employers to help improve the skills of the UK workforce.

We are looking forward to working closely with the British Parking Association and employers to raise the skills of everyone working in this sector, says Richard Beamish, chief executive of Asset Skills.

The BPA has already begun the process of ensuring a more highly skilled workforce. We fully support their efforts and look forward to achieving dynamic results in the near future.

The BPAs long-term commitment to the skills agenda, as unveiled in the UK Parking Sector Skills Strategy in 2007, perfectly aligns with the Leitch Review which aims to ensure the UK has world-class skills by 2020. Asset Skills will work with the parking sector to identify the skills required to meet future demands and to determine how these needs will be met. The alliance will aid the delivery of the skills strategy and the BPAs continual objective of raising standards within the industry.

As part of the growing number of ongoing initiatives to promote and develop skills, the BPA launched the Institute of Parking Professionals (IPP) at last year's Parkex International Exhibition. The IPP provides a focus for the exchange of views and promotes good practice in parking and traffic management, again helping to raise standards across the industry. At the heart of the institute is continuous professional development (CPD). CPD allows professionals to take responsibility for their own career and learning experience and ensures they keep up-to-date within a rapidly changing industry.

Keith Banbury, chief executive of the BPA, comments: "It is essential that appropriate qualifications are available for the parking sector as it becomes better recognised as a profession its own right. Employers want to attract and retain the best candidates and in todays economic climate that means offering opportunities to grow and develop as well as traditional benefits packages. Through the IPP, individuals are supported and encouraged to take responsibility for their careers in parking. In partnership with Asset Skills we will be even better placed to continue delivering what both employers and employees are telling us they want.

The successes of the skills agenda to date include developing a City & Guilds level 2 certificate for civil enforcement officers. Certificate holders will be able to demonstrate they have the skills and knowledge laid out in the Civil Parking Enforcement regulations that come into force at the end of this month.

The parking control suite of national occupational standards was updated in 2007 so now covers CCTV enforcement as well as parking control, barrier and pay station control, vehicle immobilisation and vehicle removal. The level 2 NVQ in Controlling Parking Areas is also based on these standards. Work is now underway to develop standards for notice processing and office staff. Developed by industry experts, national occupational standards will form the foundation for future qualifications.

The British Parking Association (BPA)

The British Parking Association (BPA), founded in 1968, is the largest independent professional association in Europe, representing 650 member organisations in the parking and traffic management industry. Members range from technology manufacturers and car park operators to local authorities and theme parks.

The BPA is dedicated to promoting and representing knowledge and standards in every type of parking facility, both on-street and off-street, and to bringing together the interests of the government, local authorities and commercial organisations, providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas concerning parking.

The Institute of Parking Professionals (IPP) has a Members Lounge at this year's Parkex International Exhibition taking place at the Manchester Central Convention Complex from 23-24 April 2008. To find out more about how the institute can help your career visit: www.theipp.co.uk.

Asset Skills

Asset Skills is one of the Governments 25 sector skills councils (SSCs) that make up the Skills for Business Network (SfBN). Each SSC has responsibility for improving skills of workers in their particular industries. Asset Skills already covers the fields of property, housing, facilities management and cleaning industries.

Funded by the government, Asset Skills is independent and employer-led. Through their SSC employers can help shape the type of skills development and qualifications provided by universities and colleges to ensure their needs are met.