We are delighted to announce the relaunch of the Team Defence Joint Professional Development Group, (JPDWG). Over many years this group has been a forum for developing a common MOD and Industry approach to defining what is meant by “Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel”, (SQEP), in particular for developing and managing support solutions for Defence capabilities.

In the past the group has developed role profiles for Support Engineering, Supply Chain Management and Integrated Logistics Support Management. It has always sought to gain National and International recognition for the professional skills people working in Support deserve.

The people and skills agenda has always been important but perhaps never more so than today. This has been recognised by the Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff, Support Operations, (ACDS SupOps) who has been working on a Pan Defence Skills Framework and a “workforce plan”. It is recognised that for this work to be successful it cannot be achieved by MOD alone.

With this in mind the Deputy Head of People in Support, Dick Dixon, is now keen to engage Industry in this work. Dick and his team are ideally placed to cohere the professional development policy and practice for Support across the MOD.  This also extends out across government and the need to cohere skills in the logistics sector, whilst looking to make it an attractive proposition and raise the sector’s profile.

We are also delighted to announce that Ian Smith from Allen Webb has agreed to become the Industry co-chair for the group. Dick and Ian would welcome your involvement in the group. A meeting to relaunch the group will be held in the TD-Info offices on 19th September 2023. Please register to attend and reach out to Dick or Ian to discuss any of the aims of the group.

Please contact Leyton Lark for further information.