Working in partnership
The position
Our client has a regulatory role in England and Wales, working with businesses and industry sectors, local authorities and other public services, and a range of special interest groups to safeguard the environment. Their brief is relatively simple: the skills they need are complex.
One of their tasks is to audit the companies they regulate; and they range from a scrap dealer to a nuclear plant. Being an auditor, as a regulator, has the potential to generate a somewhat hostile reaction. Our client called us in to design a programme to develop their behavioural skills in tandem with their technical auditing skills. This meant working with another provider and the client to get the technical input right.
How did we tackle it?
To ensure the three different parties worked as effectively as possible together, we set up a website forum during the design phase. We used this forum to pool information and share ideas. As a result we agreed on a four module programme: 3 one-day modules followed by a two-day module over nine months. Each one-day module involves input on both the technical and behavioural aspects of the auditing role. The time in-between the modules gives them the chance to practise and build on their skills. Highlighting the interaction between the technical skills and the appropriate behaviour works particularly well.
The programme involves:
- theoretical input on both the technical and behavioural aspects of auditing
- team activities to focus on behavioural skills
- developing influencing strategies for particular sites and operators
- feedback and facilitation
- observed site visits
- interviews with site operators to generate feedback
- inter-module activities, written up in a work book
- active networking with their programme colleagues to share learning
Each module gives delegates the opportunity to analyse and review their progress since the last one, and to hear how their colleagues have fared. We encourage them to actively network during the time between the modules. A delegate website forum has been set up to help this. Our client is hoping to have the course accredited by IEMA to give the delegates associate status.
What did it achieve?
- increased confidence based on technical know-how as well as the behavioural skills to go with it
- consistency in approach
- more effective targeting of potential polluters
- better use of time
Email Simon Merrell or phone 0117 315 5243.
