Professionalizing public service delivery: Why professionals, amateurs and volunteers work better together

Abstract

Purpose

To consider the concepts of amateurism and professionalism, distinguishing these from professional or amateur status.

Design/methodology/approach

Outlines the drive for the professionalization of public service delivery in Europe. Explains how the divide between professional and amateur status has developed and considers its implications.

Findings

You are about to have an operation: would you prefer a professionally qualified surgeon or an enthusiastic amateur? Professional status provides reassurance about competence, qualifications and standards. The professionalization of service delivery – particularly in the areas of education, health and social care – has been an issue for some time, especially in the UK. But more attention is also now being given to the contribution made by non-professionals such as teaching assistants, family carers and volunteers.

Practical implications

Draws attention to the way new technologies are blurring the distinction between amateur and professional in many areas and providing new opportunities for them to work productively together.

Social implications

Highlights the ideological tensions underlying the debate about professionalization, qualifications and how public services are delivered.

Originality/value

Presents a wide-ranging discussion of the amateur–professional divide, the contributions made by each and the opportunities for further research in this area.

Citation

(2015), "Professionalizing public service delivery: Why professionals, amateurs and volunteers work better together", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 29 No. 5, pp. 22-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLO-05-2015-0049