Project A Co-ordination activity linked to development of qualification for Notice Processing

Transcription

1 Project A Co-ordination activity linked to development of qualification for Notice Processing Contract Number 17 th March 2010 Final Report Prepared by Amanda Thomas Workforce Development Manager British Parking Association Tel: Fax: amanda.t@britishparking.co.uk Web:

2 This report summarises the work undertaken, and the outcomes arising, in progressing the project to develop a qualification for Notice Processing. Background to this work The BPA is the standards setting body for the UK parking profession. A workforce survey undertaken in February 2006 indicated significant skills gaps and a low take-up of qualifications across the industry. This led to the launch in March 2007 of the UK Parking Sector Skills Strategy. The UK Skills Board for Parking was formed in April 2007 to implement the strategy and to achieve its eight key objectives. The strategy explores the skills profiles of roles undertaken within the UK parking sector, along with the qualifications appropriate to those roles. Amongst the aims of the resulting work are to highlight potential career paths and to standardise the skills sets towards offering career entry points for those wishing to join the sector. Overall, the strategy seeks to raise skills levels and to make the sector a more satisfying environment for those who are already a part of it, and a more attractive proposition for those considering a move into the sector. Notice Processing is by far the largest growth area within parking enforcement. Camera enforcement of parking and moving traffic contraventions has increased the workload and complexity of the role, much of which has stringent timescales. Much of the current workforce, have either come from a customer service background or office administration and there is a current lack of any specific qualifications for what is a highly technical function. This underpins the need for development of the qualification, and is evidenced through the research the BPA has undertaken in the development of the qualification strategy. Objectives The objectives for this work are therefore to: 1) To engage with awarding body/ies to support the development of a notice processing qualification 2) The support the development of a notice processing qualification. Wednesday, 01 September 2010 Page 2 of 8

3 Detailed Methodology, key actions and outcomes The methodology to achieve these objectives 1) Engage an awarding body to fund and support the development of the qualification Through on-going work and existing relationships, the BPA have secured the support of City and Guilds to develop the required qualification. 2) Promote project and therefore proposed qualification to the sector The project has been under high scrutiny from the sector throughout its development and as a result has been of high priority. Promotion of the project has been undertaken through the BPA website, regular ezines and through the Parking News a monthly publication for the parking sector. Further articles are planned for the Parking News in April, once accreditation has been finalised. This will promote the qualification, and ensure uptake across the sector. 3) Recruit a group of sector experts to support the development process A team of sector experts were invited to take part in the development work from a database of parking professionals, which we were then able to short list based on skills and expertise to the final development panel. This panel, while small, we very effective and bought a great deal of talent and knowledge to the table to ensure that all elements of the role were covered and reflected within the development of the qualification. 4) Engage in development process The selected experts were put through an intensive days training on QCF, and how units are written and structured which enabled full understanding of the development process and requirements. The panel were set to task to establish what knowledge needed to be covered through the qualification, and supported by the NOS, were able to identify particular areas of strength for each panel member. Each panel member was delegated an area to develop based on knowledge and expertise, focusing on assessment criteria and learning outcomes for the QCF units. Desk based work was fundamental to this process in developing specifics of the units, with 6 forum meetings held throughout the development process to discuss progress and specifics with the wider group. Wednesday, 01 September 2010 Page 3 of 8

4 5) Conduct wider consultation on units and content via electronic means Once draft units were agreed by the development panel, wider consultation was carried out with the sector to ensure best fit. This process involved posting of the units on the BPA website, and inviting response as well as targeted consultation with additional experts across the sector. These experts are listed in annex A. The targeted consultation process was as follows: o Sector experts were selected from a database of parking professionals to ensure that the correct expertise was captured. o Draft units were sent electronically to the elected panel for comment and review. o Response was invited from the panel to shape and amend the units. Feedback was invited on Qualification structure, including mandatory elements and optional pathways proposed to ensure coverage of all aspects of the Notice Processing function Assessment criteria and learning outcomes identified within the proposed units, including clarity and relevance Coverage of notice processing knowledge in both public and private sector environments Coverage of all relevant legislation, regulation and influencing factors both inside and outside of central London, and across the 4 nations where relevant. Ease of delivery within a real life environment, with respect to quantity and quality of learning outcomes and assessment criteria with the units, bearing in mind the intention of a short course qualification that is to be positioned as an induction type programme. Feedback at this point was mixed, with additional experts then becoming more actively involved in the development of the units, and being invited to sit with the expert panel. This invitation was then declined, although further electronic feedback was received 6) Sector support and sign off As part of the feedback process, the sector were asked to offer support for this work, and the qualification. Wednesday, 01 September 2010 Page 4 of 8

5 Appendix A lists the delegates attending the workshops, and other individuals who have given their time and valuable input during the consultation and development of the qualification Issues Arising The development project for this qualification was, as anticipated, largely driven by City and Guilds, which has presented its own challenges throughout the work. Delay in accreditation: The development process took longer than was initially anticipated, and as a result we were unable to complete the project in time for the initial deadline of January With agreement from the commission, this deadline was extended to 31 st March 2010, which we now anticipate meeting. The qualification is currently in its final submission stages, and accreditation is imminent. Delays were caused by a number of factors out of the BPA s influence as outlined below: Staff changes at City and Guilds o A key member of the development team left for maternity leave part way through the process, and has not been replaced. This has caused delays and a shift in priorities in the team at City and Guilds, making communication difficult and slowing down the development process. Extreme weather conditions in January o The extreme weather experienced in January created delays in work due to City and Guilds staff not being able to get to the office. o It also impacted review meetings scheduled throughout the month, and caused significant delays as meetings were later rescheduled to suit all parties. Closed units: It was hoped that all units developed would be available on the QCF as open units, and therefore usable by alternative awarding bodies in the development of other qualifications. However, City and Guilds have submitted the units as closed, and therefore will remain exclusive to them at this time. This decision was taken without consultation with the BPA. Non Development of Scottish equivalent qualification: Wednesday, 01 September 2010 Page 5 of 8

6 Through the development process, it was identified that a Scottish equivalent for this qualification would not be developed at this point. Further details and a rationale for this decision is outlined in ANNEX B. Next steps In order to ensure uptake for this qualification, and the development of clear progression pathways for professionals in this field a number of next steps have been identified. Marketing and promotion of the qualification: This will be achieved through a variety of steps including (but not exclusively) Promotion through the BPA website Announcement to the sector via the BPA ezines, and the targeted learning and development forums. Promotion via the Parking Sector pages on the Asset Skills website Inclusion in the Asset Skills ABC guide to qualifications for all sectors within the AS footprint (A planned publication) Career Development Pathways To ensure that the qualification gives maximum benefit to those employed in this function it is important the career pathway and progression routes are clearly identified. As outlined in the introduction to this report, it is common for professionals taking this route to study business and administration based qualifications, and specifically, the Business and Administration NVQ type qualifications are very popular among employers and employees alike. This is mind, it is intended that the BPA will work with the council for administration to develop notice processing units to support the redeveloped Business and Administration qualifications at level 2 and 3. Wednesday, 01 September 2010 Page 6 of 8

7 ANNEX A Details of all parties invited and involved in the consultation process for the qualification. Those identified in bold formed the primary development panel used by City and Guilds. Name Company Representation Alan Clark Marstons 4 Nations Andrew Pulham East Herts England Anjna Patel Parking Manager 4 Nations Ashley Bjister ICES Imperial 4 Nations Barry Nelms Town and City 4 Nations Chris Whapples Blue Sky 4 Nations David Weeks East Sussex England Gerry Bolland Bournemouth England Graham Brown Liberty Services 4 Nations Helen Crozier Oxfordshire England Ian Taylor Tendring England Les Knight Euro Car Parks 4 Nations Linda Baker Parking UK 4 Nations Linda Austin Institute of Parking Professionals 4 Nations Louis Ellis Imperial Civil Enforcement Solutions 4 Nations Lynn Witham Parking Associates 4 Nations Manny Rasores de Torro MR Parking 4 Nations Martyn Townsend Sefton England Nick Lester London Councils England Nigel Bird West Sussex England Nigel Williams Parking Matters Europe Paul Necus Cambridge England Richard Hein Winchester England Terry Powell Richmond England Elaine Smith Bournemouth England Paul Crawford East Sussex England Jason Passfield Worthing England Sarah Lowes Islington England Angela O'shea Hillingdon England Stuart Avis Apcoa 4 Nations Nigel Gibb Stockton England Mike Macey MFM Associates 4 Nations Kirsty Reeves Parking Associates 4 Nations Penny Winder Alpha Parking England Wednesday, 01 September 2010 Page 7 of 8

8 Brian Butler NCP 4 Nations Barry Hopley NSL 4 Nations Dawn Huish DHH Training England Engin Mustafa Apcoa 4 Nations John McArdle Transport for London England Kim Rezk Met Parking 4 Nations Renata Williams Department for Transport England Richard Hein Winchester England Simon Richardson DRDNI Northern Ireland Wednesday, 01 September 2010 Page 8 of 8