Westminster Abbey Training Contract for PTP

PTP Training & Marketing which has a Leicester head office has been awarded a contract with Westminster Abbey to design and implement a staff appraisal system for its 150 strong staff.

The tailor-made programme for the Abbey will provide senior managers with the training needed to implement an appraisal system which can be used across the board from staff who work in the gift shop to senior clergy such as Canons.

The contract included initial extensive research before the programme was put in place. This centred on interviewing senior managers and devising a system which met the cultural and unique requirements of the Abbey's staff.

The first round of training taking place this summer is designed for the Abbey's senior managers and is made up of both lay and religious personnel. Future training will also be given to middle managers later on in the year. The training, which takes place on site is delivered by PTP senior consultant Geoff Newbold and covers aspects such as the appraisal process, the skills needed to carry out the appraisal, interview preparation, staff development and the necessary appraisal documentation.

This is the second major contract for PTP by Westminster Abbey and follows another tailor-made training programme entitled 'Enhancing the Visitor Experience'. This was specially designed for all staff who come into contact with the one million visitors per year which Westminster Abbey attracts.

Commenting on the challenges of creating a system which covers several tiers of staff and includes large numbers of clergy, Geoff says: "It is a privilege to work with the Abbey senior management team to devise and assist in the implementation of an important Human Resources project. Working within the environment of one of the world's most recognised churches and historical venues is not only stimulating in itself but also offers the challenge of creating a system which meets the needs of an extensive and diverse range of roles involved in managing and maintaining this unique site."

PTP managing director Marc Holland says he is delighted to be working with the Abbey again: "We are thrilled to have a second opportunity to work with such a prestigious organisation as Westminster Abbey. We had extremely positive feedback from our first contract with them and look forward to equal success with the new staff appraisal system. We have had a fascinating insight into the workings of one of the UK's most famous landmarks and feel proud that we are playing a valuable part in its future.

For more information on the training programmes available at more than 50 UK venues contact PTP on freephone 0800 975 6787 or visit the web site at www.ptp.co.uk.