Positive career progression for the parking sector

BPA launches women’s network and mentoring schemes

The British Parking Association (BPA) has launched three new skills development and workforce initiatives: a mentoring scheme; a network for women in parking; and an awards scheme for outstanding individuals.

The initiatives were unveiled by the BPA during its annual conference, which was run as a virtual event over three-and-a-half days last month, with talks, workshops and discussions all taking place using Zoom.

• Mentoring scheme: The BPA’s mentoring scheme will provide aspiring individual members with experienced leaders in the parking sector for a 12-month structured mentoring relationship.
  Women in Parking: The BPA will be providing a platform for women, and supporters of women, working in parking.
  People in Parking: The BPA will be recognising people who have made a real difference to the sector, whose achievements will be recognised in an end-of-year virtual awards.

The mentoring scheme has been in development for 18 months, said Sarah Feeney, the BPA’s professional development manager. “We know that working in parking can be an incredibly interesting and rewarding career, and we want to be able to help other people to achieve their full potential in our sector,” she said.

“Our members have such a wealth of experience that they can share with others who want progress their careers. Mentees will be individual BPA members who are ready to take the next step up in their career but need some help or guidance around a particular issue, or exposure to a different range of experiences.”

The scheme will focus on helping people make the transition from junior and first-time management supervisor roles into leadership positions. There will be six mentees in the first round of the scheme. “Mentors will be progressive senior leaders in the parking sector who are able to offer some time on a regular basis. But we think it will be a learning curve for them too, it’s a win-win!” said Feeney.

The Women in Parking project will start as a community platform and, in the future, organise meetings, social networking events and training sessions based on what the people feel they need.

The BPA’s new Women in Parking initiative is being led by ParkingEye’s Jade Neville and JustPark’s Hannah Fuller.

Jade Neville, who is incoming BPA vice-president, said: “The development of the Women in Parking initiative stemmed from a conversation I had during lockdown with Hannah Fuller, head of parking partnerships at JustPark, about the impact the pandemic was having on women within our sector. From there, we worked together to create a platform for women and our supporters to have a voice, feel supported, and become empowered to join and progress within such an exciting sector.”

Hannah Fuller added: “We want everyone on board, because we all, no matter what we do or how long we have been doing it, have an experience or opinion to offer.”
www.britishparking.co.uk