Alison Reynolds, Wootton Parish Council
What’s your thoughts and feelings around Northants CALC training for Clerks in general?
Northants CALC offer a wide variety of training courses covering everything a clerk would or could need to know, from budgeting, year-end, cemetery management, health and safety, social media and community engagement. Their training courses have always been of a high level, with knowledgeable trainers, often with some participation/interaction which makes them enjoyable.
What’s your thoughts and feelings in relation to the Officer Development Framework?
The officer development framework, helps focus a clerks training needs and recognises those courses already completed by a clerk, grouping them altogether and recognising them as a further achievement. Continued Professional Development is extremely important to me, I completed CiLCA last year and although the ODF isn’t a recognised qualification, working through the courses within the Framework assists with developing knowledge and skills to further fulfil my role as Clerk. And who doesn’t like a new certificate?
Why have you completed all stages already and how that makes you feel as a clerk?
I keep a training log of courses and dates that all staff and councillors have completed. I had already attended most of the courses needed for the Officer Development Framework during the last four years working for Roade Parish Council, so completing a few that were needed to achieve the certificates meant that I could complete both Essential and Skilled relatively quickly. I’m really proud that I’ve achieved all three levels and have my certificates printed and framed in the office. I hope that by having a Clerk who is passionate about Continued Personal Development and who wants to learn also gives my councillors confidence in me.
I’m hopeful that Northants CALC will continue either adding to their Officer Development Framework Levels or add further courses to their training portfolio. They say, ‘every day’s a school day’, and I truly believe that, especially in role of a Clerk we are always learning and can never know enough.