Up-Skilling the Parking Sector

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.

Is parking a job or a career?

Through our work, we are striving to ensure that those working within our sector, and those on the outside, see a clear career or profession. In the past, those working within the sector, especially in operational roles, saw it is a job, or even a stop gap, until something better comes along. This was brought about by a lack of perceived progression opportunities or the desire to work up the ladder.

Gradually this is changing, and more and more of us stay put in the sector once we arrive. Whether we come in further up the ladder, or start right at the bottom, the advent of the recession combined with the BPA and IPP’s increased focus on progression routes and making skills and qualifications more accessible means that we should start to see a change in pattern.

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

You can learn a lot from events such as your local BPA regional meeting (Click here for more information), as a variety of topics are covered at each one, 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.