Promotion processes are rarely popular, and approaches can shift like the tide as services struggle to find the holy grail of what will a) cause least complaint from candidates and rep bodies b) be manageable for overworked admin teams c) fit the budget and d) identify leadership potential appropriately. (The pressures of a-c can leave point d. somewhat at the back of the queue.)
It’s easy to focus on what the costs would be to the Service of using an external provider such as VCA to run promotions processes, but what about the costs of not doing so, particularly in light of continued scrutiny of FRS fairness, ethics and effectiveness?
As industry experts with over twenty years’ experience supporting FRS’s from all over the UK, we understand the ‘People’ issues facing your service. It is a central theme that has arisen time and time again in HMI Inspection Reports across a wide range of FRS´s, so you’re not alone.
The Career Progression Gateway (CPG) is an online assessment platform, that measures FRS candidates’ performance for promotion against the Leadership Qualities. The CPG LITE is a ‘lighter touch’ version which retains all the important elements which make the process as effective as it is, whilst reducing psychologist assessment time and therefore costs.
We all know that it’s important to assess candidates for promotion using fair, reliable and valid methods. But if we have one exercise which fits the bill, do we really need to spend the time and money on a second?
With each assessment process there will be candidates who are relieved at the outcome, those who are disappointed but accept the decision, and those who wish to challenge an unsuccessful result.
First launched in 2019, the VCA Ltd Career Progression Gateway online assessments haves now been used by 8 FRS from Firefighter Recruit up to Strategic Manager
Here are our best tips for helping you get the most out of the opportunity to share information with, and gain insights from, your promotions candidates.
Taking the CPG in-house – how does it work using internal assessors?
Applying the CPG to other roles- assessing on-call, control room and other staff
The chances are, your team already works pretty well. But could it be better? Here’s how to find out.