Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

 

 

Established in 1995, The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA) regulates, monitors and reports on ministerial appointments to the boards of specific public bodies. She is supported in her work by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (“OCPA”).

 

Following recommendations by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the Commissioner and OCPA needed a system to formally assess and accredit 250 existing Independent Assessors (IAs) involved in the ministerial public appointments process. These IAs work alongside government departments, the Appointments Commission and the Welsh Assembly Government who run processes for making ministerial appointments to the boards of particular public bodies. The IAs participate fully in these selection processes and help departments comply with the Commissioner’s Code of Practice.

 

The Cobent system was selected from a number of leading solution providers as a ‘good value for money solution’ and above all the ability to meet OCPA’s requirements. Cobent and partners Pearson Education, were contracted to set up a project-based e-learning solution to manage this process. Cobent LCS was used as the Learning Management System to manage and track the whole process, while Pearson Education worked with OCPA’s subject-matter experts to create the assessments required. Cobent tailored the exact system to OCPA’s requirements.

 

The learning solution has allowed OCPA to retain the best independent assessors and have a better understanding of their training and development needs. OCPA feels that Cobent has been very helpful and responsive to needs during the project and that the scheme has been a success.

 

OCPA feels that Cobent has been very helpful and responsive to needs during the project and that the scheme has been a success.

 

OCPA is now offering the test to officials in government departments and their auditors, enabling them to test and enhance their knowledge and application of the Commissioner’s Code of Practice. With Cobent’s LCS, OCPA are now able to effectively manage the training accreditation process.

 

 

Elaine McNaughton

 

Policy & Research Manager

 

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)