The Secretary to the Employer’s Side submitted a report setting out a revised Professional Career and Vocational Study Policy. The policy was last updated in October 2008 and had been updated to reflect current practice and to incorporate revised budget allocations for 2015/16. The Secretary to the Employer’s Side summarised the key changes.
In response to a query from Councillor G Cutting regarding what opportunities were available to staff, the Secretary to the Employer’s Side, by example, explained what professional courses could be undertaken adding that internally, the Council was also reviewing a management development programme leading to a qualification.
Councillor L Haysey suggested that staff successes should be celebrated with recognition in some form. This was supported. The Secretary to the Employer’s Side stated that this approach could be adopted corporately in terms of succession planning.
In response to a query from Councillor E Buckmaster regarding employees who acted up in more senior positions, the Secretary to the Employer’s Side explained that such staff were remunerated.
The Panel Chairman referred to his civil engineering qualifications studied over a six year period, made possible by the Professional Career Vocational Study Policy and thanked the Council for making this possible.
The Panel recommended to Human Resources Committee, approval of the revised Professional Career and Vocational Study Policy as submitted and that a corporate approach to recognise staff successes be developed.
RECOMMENDED – that (A) the Professional Career Vocational Study Policy, as now submitted, be approved; and
(B) a corporate approach to recognise staff successes be developed.