Positive response for the Parking Sector Skills Strategy

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The Government has unveiled plans to change the training offered to people working in the parking industry.

Everyone from parking attendants ““ who will be known as civil enforcement officers – to administrative staff and beyond will be able to take advantage of the dedicated training which includes Parking NVQs and City And Guilds VRQs.

The initiative has been launched in response to a consultation in Parliament on the parking sector’s Skills Strategy.

Speaking at the British Parking Association’s Skills Forum Under Secretary of State for Transport, Gillian Merron MP said she hoped the new structured training would encourage people to join and stay in the industry.

She said: “The Skills Strategy will be geared towards giving staff the opportunity to progress from operational to managerial level, with degree level qualifications being introduced.”Because, while civil enforcement officers are the face of the industry, we need to see back office and boardroom personnel trained to a high standard as well. Good CEOs are fundamental to the future of civil parking enforcement.

“The Strategy will ensure we recruit and, importantly, retain highly skilled and motivated staff – helping them be the best they can be, and ensuring the sector is the best it can be.The Strategy will help staff aim for a higher status – give them greater pride in their work – and also give them a higher status in the eyes of the public.”

Ms Merron also said the Government was concerned at people leaving the industry once they reach a certain level ““ looking elsewhere for their next move. She urged local authorities and companies to offer their people the new training which would be co-ordinated and to a national standard, instead of the current situation where it can differ among organisations within the industry.

Hardip Sidhu