Dimension: 1.2.5 Professional development
This dimension concerns the professional development opportunities available to MPs to help them perform their core functions. It covers both programmes and resources offered by parliament, and those delivered in conjunction with partner organizations. It does not include programmes developed by political parties or informal support from other MPs, although these aspects can play an important role in MPs’ professional development.
MPs usually come to their roles with varied life and work experience and well-developed political skills. However, the task of being an MP requires different types of knowledge and skills, some of which are quite specialized, such as knowledge of parliamentary procedures and practices, the operation of parliamentary structures such as committees, or managing a busy constituency office.
Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. therefore has an important responsibility to help MPs acquire knowledge and skills relating to their core responsibilities. This role is normally undertaken by, or overseen by, the parliamentary administration.
Induction programmes for new MPs are especially critical. Ideally, parliament should also have an ongoing professional development programme that provides regular training opportunities tailored to MPs’ needs.
Aspiring goal
Assess your parliament against this dimension
Assessment criteria
No 1: Induction programme
Parliament has an induction programme that is tailored to, and attended by, all new MPs, and covers key aspects of their work, rights and responsibilities. This programme is delivered or overseen by the parliamentary administration.
No 2: Comprehensive information package
All MPs receive a comprehensive information package, covering parliamentary procedures and their rights and responsibilities as MPs.
No 3: Ongoing professional development
All MPs have access to an ongoing professional development programme, which is developed in consultation with MPs and tailored to their needs.
How to complete this assessment
This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately.
For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based.
The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:
- Induction programmes delivered to all new MPs
- Ongoing professional development programmes accessible to all MPs
- Feedback from MPs about induction or ongoing professional development programmes
- A comprehensive information package, including guides, manuals and/or handbooks, covering MPs’ core responsibilities
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
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The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators.
Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.
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