Single annual training events are to become the focus of the National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO) member training, after a comprehensive review.

But attending an event will not be compulsory, and a range of other methods of obtaining the 30 continuing professional development (CPD) points over three years needed to remain a member will still be available.

A summer review was conducted after widespread criticism that the scheme was bureaucratic and took too much time to gain the necessary points to remain a member.

Many of the 1400 operators, plus 25 stakeholder bodies, who commented in the review, agreed the scheme had raised operator and spray equipment standards, but wanted to see a simplification of the points system. The main criticism was the complexity of getting the correct number of points for each of the three categories – crop protection, application practice and environment – NRoSO found.

Members were also unhappy about the time it took to log points, and to undertake training.

Other feedback suggested some of the events for which points were awarded were not relevant or particularly focused on sprayer operation and, therefore, lacked credibility.

In response, NRoSO members will receive information in the post in the next week about the new approach being implemented from this autumn. The key plank will be the introduction of an annual training event for which participants will receive 10 points. Effectively, it will mean members only need to attend one event a year, if they so wish, to collect their 30-point allocation over a three-year period.

The events build on the Operators’ Roadshows, provided by AIC, but now the course programme will be set by NRoSO with the involvement of all key stakeholders, such as RSPB, Environment Agency and the Pesticides Safety Directorate.

“The annual training event will become very important in contributing to the progress of spray operator practices aligned with issues the industry needs to address,” said Jack Ward, CEO for the National Proficiency Tests Council, the organisation responsible for NRoSO. “Because of this we are encouraging all NRoSO members to consider this addition as a real ‘must do’ way of earning the points they need.”

The first courses (see panel) begin this autumn and run through until spring 2008, with a maximum of 15 participants per trainer at each to maximise participation and benefit.

The planned changes should make NRoSO more meaningful for members, said Michael Seals, NRoSO’s chairman. “The points system is less onerous and the new approach will demonstrate the responsiveness of the VI process to industry stakeholders and audiences.”

Click on ‘Training events’ at www.nroso.org.uk for a list of events

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

• NRoSO also aims to develop an online facility to help cut the amount of time it takes members to record points.