We pride ourselves on our reputation in providing meteorological services. To keep this excellent reputation, we make sure that all our staff are able to perform their jobs to the best of their ability. Training and development are ways of improving staff performance. This commitment has led to us achieving the prestigious Investors in People award.

This is offered for:

• Meteorology - forecasting, numerical weather prediction, general meteorology

• Information technology - computer systems specific to, and built for the Met Office by, our staff

• Staff and management development - people management, project management and induction

• Media presentation, sales, marketing and other commercial training

There are many examples of staff throughout the Met Office who have gained further qualifications as part of their training plan, for example:

• MA or MSc
• PhD
• DMS and MBA
• Certificate of Personnel Practice
• Institute of Personnel and Development's Postgraduate Diploma

As part of your appraisal process with your manager, you will discuss and identify training needs specific to the job you do. Some staff may be offered the opportunity to take special unpaid leave in order to undertake a course of relevant study. These people will sometimes be given sponsorship by the Met Office for the duration of their course.

• There are excellent opportunities for skilled graduates to be awarded promotion to posts in higher job levels

• You are encouraged to manage your own career and to apply for internally and externally-advertised posts in any part of the organisation, within your current job level.

• This allows you to broaden your range of experience and widen your skills and knowledge base

• Line managers will meet regularly with you to review work, set objectives and discuss career plans as part of your working processes (this is undertaken primarily for the benefit of staff, but also satisfies the standards set by the Investors in People organisation)

• Staff wishing to prepare themselves for promotion or progression to a higher job level are encouraged to take advantage of the many courses available.

• Opportunities for collaborative work with other organisations throughout the world

• Secondment, loan and other opportunities for work outside the Met Office exist where it will be beneficial to us and to your career development

• You are encouraged to join, contribute to and participate in the activities of professional bodies, e.g. the Royal Meteorological Society (membership fees may be reimbursed)