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Workers in Wales are entitled to be managed by bosses who are as well-trained in their field as doctors, lawyers or airline pilots are in theirs, according to a new report. As people’s livelihoods depend on the competence of their managers they deserve the same level of professional commitment as they expect from those who look after their health or personal safety said the report from Wales Management Council. The document “Pressing the Right Buttons,” represents a new move to persuade more managers in Wales to take their professional development seriously and build their skills on a continuous basis. Christopher Ward, Chief Executive of Wales Management Council said the exercise was prompted by growing concern that the message about importance of managers’ professional skills was not getting through to small and medium sized firms in particular. At present there are estimated to be around 164,000 managers of various descriptions in Wales and the majority are believed to work in firms employing less than 50 people, which, according to the DTI, are least likely to invest in developing their skills. Representatives of leading marketing and public relations businesses in Wales were invited by Wales Management Council to take part in an exercise designed to explore how to encourage and stimulate managers to devote time and resources to professional development. The report argues that not enough has been done by training providers and public sector agencies to sell the real benefits of improved skills to businesses and individual managers. It maintained that management training should be driven more by solutions to real business needs rather than by a desire for qualifications and the status that goes with them. The document asked: “The argument that developing managers is important for competitiveness and productivity is strong and compelling but does it engage the hearts and minds of small business managers? “Less often voiced, but perhaps even more compelling, is the argument from employees who demand that their doctors, lawyers, teachers and airline pilots are all appropriately trained and keep their professional skills updated and should demand the same of their managers. Managers are far more numerous and are not only responsible for millions of pounds of resources but also for the quality of life of their staff.” The report calls for a change in the language used to encourage managers to become better skilled and a switch to words and phrases which help people to grasp the real benefits of continuous learning. The report acknowledged that there are many different types of manager with various different motivations. However it added that the size of company seemed to be a common factor and it argued that marketing efforts in Wales should be channelled strongly towards small and medium sized businesses. It called for marketing which persuaded young managers to cultivate the habit of professional skill building early in their careers and for the development of a mentor scheme under which experienced managers would nurture up-and- coming executives. The National Assembly, the WDA and ELWa were urged to work more closely together to promote management training that provides real benefits for industry. The full report Pressing the Right Buttons can be read on www.walesmanagementcouncil.org.uk Further information from Eoghan Mortell 02920 488 778 or 07977 555 116
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