How many people in Civil Service work in operational delivery roles?
It is estimated that over 280,000 civil servants work in the operational delivery profession. Operational delivery roles range from grades AA to SCS with the majority, approximately 70%, within grades AA and AO.
Who is leading this work?
Stephen Banyard, HMRC’s acting Director General Personal Tax is currently standing-in as Head of Profession for operational delivery across the Civil Service. We will let you know when a permanent appointment to the role of Head of Profession is made. There are also either departmental heads of profession or operational delivery champions in each government department to help promote and drive forward the profession in their own organisations. They are supported by a small cross government unit.
Will I get the training and learning I need to develop my professional competence?
We have reviewed the learning products that are currently available to support the profession and have started to produce a curriculum for the profession containing a series of learning modules. The first three modules are now live on the Civil Service Learning Portal. This includes an induction package to introduce you to the profession and help you understand the benefits of being part of a professional group.
We are working with departments on building the curriculum and further modules will be developed in phases and added as they are ready. We aim to have 80 per cent of the curriculum online by April 2012. To access the learning modules you will need to register on Civil Service Learning and set up an account.
I have completed some of my department’s existing courses. Does this mean I will now have to undertake professional training as well?
We recommend that everyone in the profession completes the induction package which will help you understand the benefits of being part of a professional group. You should discuss with your manager whether any of the new training products (as they become available) will help you to meet your development needs.
Will I receive any credit or qualification for the learning I complete?
Most of the learning offered on the operational delivery professional curriculum is not linked to credits or qualifications but it is our intention to accredit the curriculum with an awarding body during the course of next year. This will endorse the learning and demonstrate that is has been developed to a professional standard.
What Operational Delivery qualifications are currently available?
So far we have developed two qualifications that have been offered in departments on a limited basis. There is a level 2 Diploma in Operational Delivery and a level 2 Debt Management qualification. For further information regarding these qualifications, please contact your departmental lead on the operational delivery profession.
What is a Level 2 qualification?
The Level 2 qualifications we are offering are work-related qualifications that are comparable in terms of the level of accomplishment with GCSEs grades A*-C.
Do I have to put myself forward for these qualifications?
No, but you should discuss with your manager whether the qualification is something that is appropriate for you. There is often a cost element that also needs to be signed off by your line manager.
If I am offered the opportunity to gain one of these qualifications, will I have to sit an exam?
No. The qualifications we have developed are vocational which means that you will be predominantly assessed through regular observation of you carrying out your job. There will also be some discussion with both your manager and an independent assessor. The qualifications include a number of mandatory and optional learning units. Not all of the units will be relevant to your role and you will need to decide, with support from your line manager and your assessor, the best units for you to complete.
It may also be possible to give you credit for learning achieved prior to starting the qualifications.