FDA signs agreement with Skills for Justice

Signing the agreement: Dawn Hayward of unionlearn/TUC; FDA Vice President Sue Gethin; Nick Skeet, Key Account Director at Skills for Justice; and Neil Rider, manager of the FDA skills project

The FDA has signed an agreement with Skills for Justice, to work with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and others in developing and piloting an accredited bespoke Continuing Professional Development (CPD) package.

The initiative, supported by the Union Learning Fund (ULF) aims to:

• improve understanding of the fundamental principles of forensic science among CPS lawyers;
• enhance business performance by helping prosecutors to achieve the best evidence from forensic expert witnesses;
• promote co-investment in skills and more effective skills utilisation; and
• deliver greater employee involvement and commitment in the workplace.

Neil Rider, the FDA skills project manager, said: "We are delighted to sign this agreement. FDA engagement through our team of union learning reps in CPS is essential in offering support and encouragement to prosecutors participating in the pilot. We know that the CPS employer sees this engagement as a way of working with the FDA in an interesting area that has a long-term and sustainable future."