Support for organisations
At VCA we provide a range of services to support Fire & Rescue Authorities to implement their selection, assessment and development processes.
Over the past 6 years we have been involved in ADC’s at every level from Crew Manager to Chief Fire Officer.
ADC implementation requires a balance between high standards and pragmatism; the process needs to produce exceptional results without placing excessive demands on limited resources. We can help FRS design and implement their own or existing ADC processes at any managerial level to meet Quality Assurance and Best Practice Guidelines.
We work with several FRS in Scotland, designing, supporting and implementing their assessment & development Centres (ADCs) from the Initial Test of Potential through to final candidate feedback reports.
We work in England and Wales to support the implementation of the National ADC toolkit.
*NEW*
VCA are pleased to announce the launch of their on-line ITOP testing capability! This process will allow FRS to automate the ITOP process, from SJT to feedback reports.
We can also provide corporate membership of our ITOP preparation packages, aimed at allowing candidates the opportunity to try ‘mock’ Simulation Exercises and SJTs. This improves standards without compromising the predictive ability of the ITOP. See ‘support for individuals’ for details or contact info@vca.uk.com.
Our services
Assessor training- we run 3 day assessor training courses based on the National Toolkit, or 2 day assessor training course for Scotland.
Interview Skills training- we run one day Interview Skills workshops for PQA Interviewing technique. These courses can cover either National fire-fighter Selection Interviewing or In-Band Interviewing (for internal promotion).
ADC management- we can manage the whole ADC process from Initial Test of Potential through to provision of candidate feedback reports, or any parts of the ADC the FRS would prefer to outsource. Services include:
Short-listing
- Designing short listing methods e.g. simulation exercises, PQA application forms, SJTs
- ITOP marking and feedback
ADC design
- Preparation of all ADC materials
- Running candidate workshops to familiarise them with ADC format and requirements , including practice of ‘mock’ exercises and performance feedback.
- Provision of new versions of exercises when current versions need updating or when alternative versions of existing exercises need to be produced during high volume assessments due to candidate familiarity.
ADC Administration
- Timetabling and materials preparation
- Centre management and administration
- Scoring and results reporting
Assessment
- Marking of in-basket and written exercises
- Assessor and refresher training
- Professional assessment at Strategic level and above and for specialist senior support staff posts
- Professional Quality Assurance of ADC assessment and administration for external verification
- One day PQA Interview Skills Training
Feedback and development
- Full and comprehensive ADC feedback reports including Action Plan and detailed analysis of PQA strength and development areas.
- PQA familiarisation and development workshops
- Personality/ motivational profiling
- Training line managers in development and appraisal activity for their team post ADC
These services can be provided as part of overall management of the ADC or components can be commissioned to fit with existing service provision.
*Coming soon*
Develop your PQAs- Workbooks and 12 month coaching programmes for use by organisations or individuals.