How the Thames CPD Programme is Managed
Thames Skills Academy Board
The Thames Skills Academy (TSA) is a not-for-profit employer-led organisation established to raise safety standards and improve skills for those working on and alongside the Thames. The TSA was founded by the Port of London Authority (PLA), Transport for London, Tideway and the Company of Watermen & Lightermen (CWL).
The TSA Board has overall responsibility for the development and delivery of the Thames CPD Programme. The Board of Directors includes representatives of the Port of London Authority and the Company of Watermen & Lightermen and the CEO of the Thames Skills Academy as well as River Thames employers.
The Executive of the Thames Skills Academy, as administrator of the Thames CPD Programme, report to the TSA Board four times a year on the development and delivery of the Thames CPD Programme. This includes developing the Thames CPD Programme; establishing and managing the Programme infrastructure (website, Thames CPD online account and app); communication with river users (including the Technical Working Group and Stakeholder meetings); monitoring delivery; and ensuring the Thames CPD Programme is fit-for-purpose in improving safety on the tidal Thames.
An annual report will be published.
The TSA Board may terminate the Programme only with the joint consent of the TSA Chair, PLA and CWL.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee’s purpose is to monitor and review the Thames CPD Programme’s training activities and points to ensure the Thames CPD Programme remains relevant to vessel operators and river users. The Committee is responsible for considering proposals to add training activities to the Programme, decide whether they fall into Mandatory, Accredited Training or Skills & Experience and to assess the points to be allocated based on the benefit each activity brings to training and safety on the Thames. Changes made by the Committee will be published on the Thames CPD website.
The Committee comprises a representative each appointed by the PLA, CWL and TSA and additional representatives appointed in joint agreement by the PLA, CWL and TSA to represent both passenger and freight services and both larger and smaller employers. Each Committee representative serves for no more than two consecutive terms of three years.
The Chair of the Committee is the PLA, who are the Regulators of the Thames CPD Programme. The Chair is not permitted to make proposals. The Secretariat for the Committee is provided by the Company of Watermen & Lightermen. The TSA is the Administrator of the Thames CPD Programme.
The Terms of Reference of the Committee are here. The Committee will undertake a review of the Governance Committee arrangements annually.
2024 Governance Committee meeting dates are: 25th April, 6th June and 1st October.
Appeals
The Committee will set up an appeals system to allow participants in the Thames CPD Programme to appeal in the case of a dispute over the inclusion of training activities in the Programme and the points allocated.
Final appeals and those concerning overall operation of the Programme will be dealt with by the TSA Board.
Equal Opportunities
The Thames CPD Programme shall be governed and administered in a way that does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality, disability or age.
