Views sought! Members of BASIS PROMPT are to be canvassed for their views as to how the organisation can improve and do more to help them.
This will be the first time such a survey has been undertaken and it marks the desire of the professional register to expand its role and to increase its influence within the pest control sector.
Chief executive Stephen Jacob is keen to see the future of PROMPT led by the members themselves and says the survey will be key.
| He said: “We’re always thinking of ways to improve and deliver added benefits, but strong feedback from members will ensure we move forward in the right direction. We exist for their benefit, so we should do all we can to deliver a powerful and practical service that’s very much focused on the needs of its customers.
“The survey will give members the chance to tell us what we’re doing well, where we can improve and what more they’d like to see. By giving members and stakeholders a strong voice, and then listening to it, we can ensure we’re delivering precisely what they want from us.” Membership soared by almost 1,000 last year – taking the number of pest technicians signed up past the 4,000 milestone for the first time. The launch of a rodent-specific category in 2016 attracted more than 700 new members. A number which could grow further should the National Pest Management Association (NPTA) decide to go down the CPD route. Stephen added: “PROMPT is a key initiative which has been expanding year-on-year and the fact that our membership has grown so rapidly is an illustration of its escalating value. I want to see the register expand its influence within the pest control sector. We want to talk to as many members as we can and from as wide a cross-section of the pest control community as possible.” |
Chief Executive, Stephen Jacob, wants to hear from PROMPT members |
| The survey will be launched at PestEx in March 22 and 23. It will also remain available to members, both digitally and in print, for several months.
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| Joining the team, as the new marketing and technical manager, is Lucy Cottingham. Her role will not be restricted solely to the PROMPT scheme, but will extend to the whole of BASIS Registration across the range of agricultural and related land-based industries covered.
However, a key part of her role will be to promote the work of PROMPT and its activities to its range of stakeholders. Lucy, 29, joins BASIS from Frontier Agriculture, where she worked as an agronomist. Already a member of the BASIS register, she’s a qualified advisor for FACTS – the body responsible for setting standards, training and accrediting the Continuing Professional Development of those providing nutrient management advice – and has gained the BASIS Diploma in Agronomy. |
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| A graduate of the University of Exeter, she gained a Masters degree from Harper Adams College and is keen to gain the Graduate Diploma in Agronomy with Environmental Management.
Lucy said: “BASIS has been an important part of my career to date so I’m very much looking forward to being a part of the organisation. An important part of my job will be to help raise awareness of the register and its importance as a vehicle for professional competence within the pest control industry.” Lucy, from Hilton in Derbyshire, added: “PROMPT has made huge strides in recent years and particularly last year. We think more than half of the professional pest controllers in the UK are now members of our organisation and that’s fantastic news. “But we’re determined to continue that growth by delivering more benefits to existing members and building awareness of the register and the advantages that it provides.” Lucy joins Joe Joe is the key contact point for all queries regarding CPD points and the PROMPT regisister. |
