PSL develops assessment tests for parking wardens at NCP

NCP, the UKís traffic management and parking specialist,is introducing psychometric tests to help it recruit and develop parking wardens.

PSL, the assessment specialist, is currently analysing the qualities and personality traits that make an effective parking warden. It will then propose assessments that NCP will use to test for these attributes during its recruitment process.

Being a parking warden is a complex and demanding job that is high profile and quite controversial, said Bob Macnaughton, Chief Executive of NCP. Staff turnover in the industry is traditionally high, so weíre taking steps to improve our ability to recruit the right people at the outset. Using PSLís expertise, we will put in place a selection process that will highlight those applicants who have the potential to be successful and reveal those who are likely to fail. This should enhance our staff retention and it could also be used to highlight candidates for promotion.

NCP is the UKís leading parking enforcement provider. It employs around 2,000 parking wardens and runs 29 parking enforcement contracts with local authorities including the UKís largest contract, at Westminster City Council. Parking enforcement contracts like these are used where parking has been decriminalised - meaning the local police have stopped enforcing regulations with police-employed traffic wardens.

NCP recruits locally for each contract, using advertisements in local papers and job centres. It provides training in parking legislation, customer service and conflict resolution.

Pressure for parking space in towns and cities has become so acute that local authorities are increasingly looking to companies like us to take action for them against drivers of illegally and dangerously parked vehicles, said Bob Macnaughton. Enhancing our recruitment process gives us an additional business benefit when we bid for new contracts because we can demonstrate that our approach is thorough and professional.

He adds that parking wardens have a bad image because many
people feel they are treated unfairly if they get a ticket.

Weíre not out to trap innocent motorists, he said. Our job is to enforce parking regulations. It needs to be done because it benefits pedestrians, cyclists, bus passengers and other drivers. But no oneís ever going to thank you for giving them a parking ticket.

NCP believes that improving the selection process for its parking wardens will bring significant benefits to all stakeholders.

Our objective is to deliver a stable and experienced workforce, said Bob Macnaughton. This will help to further increase the quality and accuracy of our parking enforcement.

Richard Alberg, Chief Executive of PSL, said: This is a fascinating project. The role of a parking warden is challenging in the extreme and our team is really enjoying working with NCP in creating a solution for them that will have a significant impact upon their business.