You’ll have heard the phrases “professionalising the sector” and “up-skilling the workforce” used in abundance through this section of the site, and reflected in much of what the BPA and IPP do, but what does that really mean? There are so many interpretations and so many ways in which we can achieve it, so we thought this was a good time to give some clarity and outline what we mean.
What do you mean by up-skilling? Is this just about qualifications?
Absolutely not, and this is something that the recent merge of the Skills and IPP boards has proven.
Up-skilling can take on various forms, and while we strive to provide the nationally accredited qualifications (click here for more information) the sector craves and needs to ensure consistency and best practice, it shouldn’t be the be all and end all if you are looking to develop yourself or your teams. There are many different ways of increasing your skills set and progressing your career.
Here’s some examples:
In house learning and development opportunities
The advent of nationally accredited qualifications is a huge asset to the sector, but should be used in conjunction with any additional training your employers see fit to offer. Often, spending time in a classroom with colleagues doing similar work can be immensely valuable, not just from the point of view of learning new technical skills, but in terms of sharing experiences and problems with others you might not otherwise have daily access to. Look out for opportunities in the workplace to take in house training or spend time shadowing colleagues to ensure you maximise your own potential.
CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
It is a myth that CPD is a high maintenance task which requires a great deal of thought and commitment on your part. The IPP are championing this cause and will continue to do so as part of their ethos as a professional institute, and as such you can find out more information on the IPP site by clicking here.
Attendance of BPA regional and national groups, and other events
If your employer is a BPA member then you can attend BPA events such as local BPA regional meetings (Click here for more information). You can learn a lot from these meetings, and also at general BPA events which are open to everyone, as a variety of topics are covered at each event, and information is plentiful. This is also another great opportunity to discuss problems or challenges you face in the workplace with those in similar positions to share knowledge and experiences and learn from those who know firsthand. Keep a look out on the events section of the BPA website for future events.