ABSTRACT
Training and development should be considered as ways of improving personal effectiveness. Education is the process of acquiring background knowledge and skills. The National Health Service (NHS) Plan confirms the need for employers to provide training opportunities for individual members of staff to further their careers. The deadline of April 2001 was stated for employers to organise a training and development plan for all of their staff which should be linked to appraisal systems. National Vocational Qualifications were introduced in order to replace the varied range of occupational qualifications with an assessed set of standards, which are created by national training and employer-led organisations. The NHS University was launched in December 2003, with the aim of putting learning at the heart of the health service and offering training to more than 25000 NHS employees. An opportunity to discuss career development and any training needs could be identified at annual performance appraisal, and a personal development plan arranged.
