STEP Employer Partnership Programme

Transcription

1 SUCCESS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STEP Employer Partnership Programme

2 DESIGNED WITH YOUR NEEDS IN MIND The STEP Employer Partnership Programme (EPP) has been designed to help employers maximise the learning of their STEP members. The EPP offers a map of learning and development (L&D) standards which you can use as a benchmark to assess your own L&D provision. It also provides a kite-mark within the wealth advisory industry to ensure you receive the recognition you deserve for the professional development you offer. SUPPORT DEVELOP PERFORM A FLEXIBLE TOOLKIT The programme provides you with a toolkit to help you deploy high quality L&D in your organisation, thereby enhancing the engagement of your STEP staff and improving your organisational capability. The standards are designed to support the integration of learning into working practice and therefore performance at individual, team and organisational levels. THE HALLMARK OF QUALITY Once you have demonstrated that you meet one of the three levels of standards, your organisation s learning and development programme is endorsed with an appropriate EPP logo. This signals to stakeholders, prospective employees and the general business community that you value professional development and substantiate this with resources and a supportive organisational learning culture.

3 HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS The three focal areas are: Domain 1 The individual The individual learns and develops their knowledge and this is applied to the workplace. Domain 2 The collective Individuals develop professional expertise through support, professional networks, collaboration and challenge within their work. Domain 3 The organisation The organisation benefits from a strong and positive learning culture and set of practices. The three levels of recognition are: Platinum Employer Partner Gold Employer Partner Employer Partner The level of recognition depends on standards achieved. To progress up a level an organisation needs to demonstrate the standards cumulatively. To achieve recognition an organisation will need to provide a completed application form together with evidence appropriate to the level being applied for. Evidence may include documentation, employee references and interview. As part of our firm s key strategic objectives we recognise the need for well-trained employees and having the opportunity to develop their professional skills is a key source of motivation at our firm. Through high quality structured training and development practices, procedures and effective communication, we are committed to providing learning and development opportunities for our staff and the STEP Platinum Employer accreditation assists us in ensuring that our training and development meets a global, best practice benchmark. Lisa Vizia TEP Director Saffery Champness Registered Fiduciaries, Guernsey

4 STEP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS Recognition Key - Standards to achieve: There is a recognised need to link individual, team and organisational learning in a continuous process if learning is to add value and move the organisation forward 1...work environments need to be conceptualised more clearly as learning environments 2 Domain 3 The organisation benefits from a strong learning culture The importance of L&D is championed from the top and cascaded throughout the organisation A positive work and learning environment exists Performance success is recognised and rewarded Domain 2 Individuals develop professional expertise Professionals are given guidance and coaching Senior staff support the application of learning to work Opportunities exist to network and learn from a range of events Challenge, breadth and high expectations are built into the individual s role Professionals are encouraged to share knowledge and to learn from others Continuing professional development (CPD) is planned, recorded and reviewed Domain 1 Individual develops professional knowledge Financial and time support are provided for study Students are guided throughout the study process L&D policy outlines provisions and expectations A comprehensive package of support is provided for study Professional development is planned and linked to organisational objectives through performance review Deep learning is enabled through the provision of extended learning resources Reflection on learning and the application of learning to work are formalised and guided by a TEP or senior staff Career conversations are a formal part of the review process Line managers have an understanding of L&D practice 1. Cunningham P. & Iles P. (2002) Managing Learning Climates in a Financial Services Organisation. Journal of Management Development, Vol. 21, No Billet, S. (2006) Constituting the Workplace Curriculum. Journal of Curriculum Studies, Vol. 38, No. 1

5 PROGRAMME BENEFITS Use of EPP logo Recognition on the STEP website Certificate of accreditation Support and guidance on L&D standards Access to bank of L&D templates Knowledge sharing and networking opportunities Eligibility to join STEP Employer Partnership Programme LinkedIn Group Employer Briefing newsletter (quarterly) Access for L&D contact to EBSCO business journals database Access for L&D contact to Alchemy Performance Assistant workplace support tool Access for L&D contact to Career Innovation and CiZone planning tool STEP Journal online access Trust Quarterly Review (TQR) online access Industry enews Digests Jurisdiction information online access to 60+ reports One free Friends of STEP membership Webcasts/webinars including access to Web Events back catalogue for all staff Recruitment advertising on STEP Jobs Board special rates Personal contact at STEP Dedicated account manager Simplified CPD audit process Early notification of sponsorship opportunities Opportunities to share L&D innovations and demonstrate excellent practice For further information visit

6 HOW TO APPLY For all levels you will need to: Complete an application form Submit an L&D policy Fill in the application grid to demonstrate how you meet each standard Nominate two contacts: one STEP member and one L&D or HR representative Submit a brief overview statement to support your application In addition, Gold Employer Partner applications will require: A copy of an anonymised annual performance review form for a STEP student and a STEP member In addition, Platinum Employer Partner applications will require: A copy of a career competency framework A copy of an anonymised CPD record for a STEP member The above record should provide clear evidence of reflection on the outcomes of the learning undertaken Once your application has been reviewed you will receive feedback via . On successful completion we will send you the relevant Employer Partner logo and access to the dedicated employer area of the STEP website, where you will be able to take advantage of a range of resources. A copy of an anonymised professional development plan for a STEP student and a STEP member (if separate from the performance review) An interview with a STEP student and member ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS AND CRITERIA Accreditation at Employer Partner level is available to any employer who employs a STEP student or member and who can confirm that they meet the EPP Quality Standards. The applications will be assessed by STEP s Professional Development Department. Accreditations will last for three years and then will be reviewed. To apply for accreditation as an Employer Partner, please visit to download the relevant documentation. To apply for Gold or Platinum Employer Partner accreditation, please contact us by at: epp@step.org