Press Releases

Peter Gershon awards 'Estate & Property Management in Government' BTEC certificates

Peter Gershon, Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce, today presented staff from a range of Government Departments and Agencies with BTEC Higher Certificates in 'Estate & Property Management in Government' at the first award ceremony to be held for this training programme, designed for the 'Intelligent Client'.

The programme, sponsored by PACE, the Government's Property Advisers to the Civil Estate, allows candidates to be trained, assessed and accredited with a nationally accepted qualification that is recognisable within Government and across the industry at large. This now forms part of the training infrastructure available to ensure that the required levels of competency are achieved by those responsible for ensuring that Government workspace requirements are met and managed in the most appropriate and cost effective way.

Speaking in London, Peter Gershon said:

"The Office of Government Commerce is fully supportive of the investment the development of this programme represents to enable staff in central Civil departments to develop the skills and professionalism needed to undertake their Intelligent Client roles. This must be a high priority if the significant investment and procurement decisions that affect the management of our workspace on a daily basis are to be managed efficiently and effectively. The Government needs to ensure that it has the right people with the right competencies and skills in these key positions.

"I hope that the valuable work that has gone into developing this programme will also assist those responsible for managing Government operational estates in line with the "Better Government" agenda.

"Looking to the future, development of the training programme will need to take account of what Departments require from their property/workspace. Flexibility will be the watchword in the new era of advance mobile communications technology and new patterns of working."

Commenting on the key players in the evolution of this programme, John Locke, Chief Executive of PACE said:

"The development of this programme is the result of a partnership approach between PACE, our customers and the training providers - the latter, too, having joined forces from the public and the private sector to deliver the course. This represents a truly joined-up approach to delivery."

The students who received BTEC Higher Certificates were: Ken Allen (Driving Standards Agency), Kay Froggett (DTI), Linn Halton (DETR), Anita Hayes (Crown Prosecution Service), Margaret Kowalewska (Maritime & Coastguard Agency), Chris Leadbeater (British Forces Post Office), Debbie Orchard (The Court Service), Paul Trusselle (OFSTED) and Douglas Watson (Registers of Scotland). Lisa Wilson (Government Office for the North West) was unable to attend but also successfully completed the programme.

John Locke highlighted the importance of the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) recognising the value of the programme. He said that the BIFM had agreed to consider successful students for full exemption for Part 1 of its Professional Qualification, providing applicants could show evidence of a supporting, nationally accredited qualification in underpinning management areas. The potential for exemption provided the opportunity to continue to develop competencies and an opportunity to further the individual's career, he said.

John Locke hosted the event on behalf of PACE and the three training providers - the Civil Service College, the College of Estate Management and WTI Training Group. He welcomed a number of important supporters who had been instrumental in driving forward the training strategy, and in quality assuring the training programme. These included members of the PACE Central Advice Unit Advisory Panel and Joint User Group (JUG). Edexcel (the BTEC accrediting body) was also represented at the ceremony.

NOTE TO EDITORS

• Photographs of the presentations of awards to the students are available from Lucy Stares at OGC or from Brian Duhaut at PACE on 020 7271 2616
• PACE is an executive office of the Office of Government Commerce in the Treasury.
• The OGC was established on 1 April 2000. The OGC includes Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA), Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE), The Buying Agency (TBA) together with some of the procurement staff from HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office.
• The BTEC Higher Certificate accredited training programme, 'Estate and Property Management in Government', was originally established in December 1998, with further refinements announced in April 1999. The programme is aligned to the responsibilities of estate and property managers - the Intelligent Clients - for the Government Estate.
• The Civil Service College, the College of Estate Management at Reading University and WTI Training Group jointly run the programme. These have been developed in conjunction with the PACE Central Advice Unit (CAU) and designed to support the Estate & Property Management Competency Framework published by the CAU in November 1997. For further information on this programme see www.property.gov.uk or contact Jennifer Stonehouse (PACE) on 020 7271 2722 or James Smith, Civil Service College on 01344 634108.
• Media enquiries on this release and other OGC announcements should be directed to Lucy Stares, OGC on 020 7211 1327.