In June 2007, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) introduced a new end-to-end single payment scheme process. The RPA recognized that this new approach would bring extra responsibility to all the staff, especially the leadership and management team, and require a significantly broader range of personal and technical skills.

Xafinity Skillbase, in partnership with Training for Advancement, designed and tested a comprehensive personal and technical skills development training programme for the AO and EO population and is currently in the design phase of a training programme for the HEO population.

Our objectives were to develop practical, effective, innovative, role and business focused solutions following a blended learning approach including computer based training, active face-to-face learning, assessment, feedback and coaching. Action learning sets are being used to embed the learning in the workplace.

We have designed more than 15 different one and two day inter-personal skills modules. This includes a management skills programme and an advanced management skills programme. Both of these programmes are made up of four modules and workbooks for managers to complete in the workplace. The subjects covered in the modules include leadership, change, managing workloads and communication. The advanced management skills programme takes a more detailed and in depth approach to the subject areas.  

We have tested each of the modules within the RPA and feedback is consistently high. We have also trained the RPA trainers to deliver the modules.