PPD Personal and Professional Development course timetable

Leadership Essentials is a key programme suitable for those with responsibilities for the work, behaviour and development of others. The programme aims to help managers refresh and build their skills and experience in this area, as well as clarifying key responsibilities of manager and leader. It focuses on critical areas, such as giving and receiving feedback effectively and handling challenging conversations, using leadership styles and models to support individuals and teams. The programme incorporates tutor input; opportunities for discussion, case studies, reflection and sharing of good practice with others with similar responsibilities. It also includes curated e-learning resources to support managers with their ongoing learning and development.

Participants are required to attend both half day sessions.

The Immigration Rules for visitors to the UK were updated on 31 January 2024, and introduce new concessions for visiting researchers/scientists/academics which will be beneficial to the University. This session will provide an overview of these changes, along with general guidance on the visitor visa/entry process. The session will also introduce and explain the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, new will be a new requirement for non-UK visitors to the UK in 2024.

Please note that this session will be recorded. There will be an opportunity to discuss points and ask questions once the recording has ended.

This workshop provides an opportunity for those recruiting to professional services roles to update and refresh their understanding of the recruitment and selection processes at the University of Cambridge. It includes an overview of the current recruitment and selection process and how to create the conditions where you can recruit the best candidate, avoiding common pitfalls, whilst ensuring practice is fair to all candidates at each stage.

NOTE If you are new to recruitment and selection, it is recommended that you attend the Recruitment and Selection Skills workshop.

This course prepares you to showcase with confidence your skills, experience and potential in a job interview that takes place either virtually or in-person. You will learn how to prepare for interview, anticipate likely questions and plan how to answer them. You will learn techniques for handling nerves and be able to project yourself positively on screen and in-person.

You will also be able to pre-empt and deal with common technical challenges that can occur in an online interview.

The course is highly participative, providing an opportunity to share experiences with others, as well as time to practise your skills.

This development programme for generalist and specialist administrators draws on the expertise of senior figures in the University and provides up to date information on the various strands and issues of University strategy and governance. It includes development of some key skills and a project activity, and offers a valuable opportunity to network with administrators from the UAS and other departments and institutions.

Selection for this programme is via nomination by School Secretaries, Heads of Division or Heads of Non-School Institutions during the summer. Nominees will need to demonstrate the benefit of participating, both for themselves and their institution. Please speak to your line manager and/or appropriate nominator if you would like to be considered. Please see further information about key themes and speakers on the programme flyer.

A webinar providing information on the level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship (duration 13 months) presented by Emily Hill of Provek, who are Project Management Training specialists and will deliver this apprenticeship.

Provek are now able to offer a schedule of their open cohorts which will enable you to select your preferred programme start date to hopefully suit your individual contractual position.

Aimed at developing the skills required to run successful projects. This programme consists of 6 modules, each of which have a 1x day workshop training included. You will also sit the Association for Project Management (APM) Project Management Qualification (PMQ) exam and will be externally assessed to achieve the Level 4 Associate Project Manager apprenticeship standard.

The purpose of the webinar will be to provide you with an overview of the programme, and give you the opportunity to ask any questions.

Apprenticeship guidance.

Information about the Project Management Apprenticeship delivered by Provek

A link to the webinar will be sent with the joining instruction when your booking is confirmed.

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is the most widely used personality instrument worldwide, based on over 50 years’ research and development.

It presents a framework for understanding how you operate, how others operate, and how you can use that understanding to get more from yourself and the relationships you have with others.

This workshop is led by a qualified MBTI practitioner and will involve taking the MBTI questionnaire, investigating the four areas of preference covered by MBTI, self-assessment of type with group exercises, looking at your best fit type and investigating how it could help you at work.

Learning about your personality type can help you to understand your role within your team and the role of others. It can also help you to cope with organisational change, deal with stress effectively and develop your emotional intelligence.

This session will set the scene for those moving in to a role with professional responsibility for other members of staff at the University, supporting their work, behavior and development. As we all know from our personal and professional experience, leaders and managers play a critical role in ensuring a productive, motivating and inclusive working environment.

This interactive session will explore the responsibilities of a manager or leader at the University, introduce tools to support the performance of your team, and provide pointers to where to find important information and further development as needed.

It is aimed at staff across all areas, disciplines, staff groups and levels of responsibility, including staff who are:

• new to managing one or more others
• new to leading a service or research area
• new to Cambridge, either as a new manager or with previous experience

This workshop provides an opportunity for academic staff to understand the recruitment and selection process and how to create the conditions where you can recruit the best candidate and avoid common pitfalls. It includes an overview of the recruitment and selection process and identifies the key principles to ensure practice is fair to all candidates at each stage.

The course is primarily aimed at academic staff involved in making selection decisions for academic roles and those with responsibility for coordinating academic recruitment procedures.

We all have challenging conversations from time to time that we dread. Wishing it would go away rarely works. Having a clear strategy can make all the difference. This workshop is designed to give you the skills and confidence to have a meaningful, productive conversation at work.

This 90 minute scenario-based training, incorporating forum theatre, aims to entertain and inform. You will be watching a live work based conversation and have the opportunity to give feedback and interact with the ‘characters’ to understand and develop a positive outcome. By the end of this webinar you will have a better understanding of how a difficult conversation can go wrong and how to put it right.

We will explore how the best intentions can sometimes go wrong. We will help you build a solid technique to get it right.

The main session is for 90 minutes, followed by optional time for further discussion and Q&A with the trainer.

Mentoring can be a really effective tool in helping people to develop their professional lives and careers, in both roles of mentor and mentee.

This interactive workshop is designed to give an overview and introduction to mentoring, informing participants about what mentoring is and giving them the opportunity to explore the key benefits for mentors and mentees. There will be the opportunity to learn some key skills needed to both mentor and be mentored effectively, and to become familiar with some simple models, tools and techniques to support the mentoring partnership to maximise its value and impact.

The salary threshold for Skilled Worker visa applicants are due to increase from 4th April 2024. The Rules outlining these changes will be published on 14th March, and this briefing will provide a detailed overview of these changes and potential impacts on new starters after 4th April.

Please note that this session will be recorded. There will be an opportunity to discuss points and ask questions once the recording has ended.

The University of Cambridge is committed to effective induction for all new members of staff. In addition to the welcome and induction you will receive in your institution, you are warmly invited to take part in the University’s two-stage induction.

The first stage comprises the University’s Induction Online programme. This web resource is a quick and easy way for you to learn all about what it is like to work here as well as understand your role and responsibilities. It provides key information to help you:

• settle into your new role quickly
• orientate yourself in your first few weeks at the University
• integrate into the University
• understand how the University works

The second stage is a Welcome to New Staff presentation event, hosted by Personal and Professional Development (PPD). The Welcome event aims to provide a broad introduction to all University staff, providing information about the University to enable you to get the most out of your time here. The event comprises:

• a welcome and introduction to the University from a senior member of the University
• a talk from a colleague about their career journey at the University
• a presentation on the benefits of being part of the University of Cambridge

This course prepares you to effectively carry out the recruitment and selection process taking you through the stages of producing a person specification, short listing effectively against selection criteria, designing questions, structuring and conducting interviews, and making the final decision. University policies and procedures will also be covered.

If you are looking to update and refresh your understanding of the recruitment and selection processes at the University of Cambridge, it is recommended that you attend the 1/2 day workshop: Recruitment Essentials: Appointing the Right Candidate (Professional Services Appointments).

Would you like to help develop at career development programme for Professional Services staff in grades 3 to 6?

This interactive session encourages participants to consider what provisions would be useful to support the development of grades 3 to 6 Professional Services staff, how this might be implemented in terms of course format and delivery and how it might be marketed to the relevant team members to encourage engagement.

Would you like to help develop at career development programme for Professional Services staff in grades 3 to 6?

This interactive session encourages participants to consider what provisions would be useful to support the development of grades 3 to 6 Professional Services staff, how this might be implemented in terms of course format and delivery and how it might be marketed to the relevant team members to encourage engagement.

Leadership Essentials is a key programme suitable for those with responsibilities for the work, behaviour and development of others. The programme aims to help managers refresh and build their skills and experience in this area, as well as clarifying key responsibilities of manager and leader. It focuses on critical areas, such as giving and receiving feedback effectively and handling challenging conversations, using leadership styles and models to support individuals and teams. The programme incorporates tutor input; opportunities for discussion, case studies, reflection and sharing of good practice with others with similar responsibilities. It also includes curated e-learning resources to support managers with their ongoing learning and development.

Participants are required to attend both half day sessions.

Managing and developing talent in your team is a key skill for any manager in order to create an environment for their team to perform to the best of their ability, both individually and as a group.

From adopting a strategic approach to developing talent in order to deliver objectives, to understanding key strategies for developing your team at each stage of the employee lifecycle, this interactive and participative workshop offers you the opportunity to consider how to develop strength in your team, enhance motivation and wellbeing as well as share your experiences with others.

The last two years before retirement are a good time to prepare for personal change in readiness for leaving employment. We offer two different pre-retirement courses and recommend that you book on to both.

This course includes detailed information on occupational pensions and managing your time in retirement. You will have the opportunity to share information and discuss any concerns about retirement in a relaxed setting.

Representatives from University Pensions Administration will provide details of the occupational pension schemes relevant to those attending the course (CPS and USS). They will also answer individual queries. Benefit statements for participants who are members of the CPS scheme will be provided in advance of the session.

Our Learning and Development Consultant will lead an informal discussion on how to approach managing your time in retirement.

If you are also interested in Retirement: Pre-retirement - Legal and Finance please book that related course which will cover the following:

• Legal Advisors from Barr Ellison, Cambridge will explore some of the key legal issues that you may wish to consider when approaching retirement i.e. Wills, Trusts and Lasting Power of Attorney.
• A Financial Advisor from Dartington Wealth will give a detailed overview of the different ways in which you may wish to consider managing your retirement income. They will give details of how tax is collected in retirement and answer questions.
• HR colleagues will outline the possible options for retirement for Established staff and the processes involved with each option, as well as the actions that need to be taken.

Applications for the course will close at 2pm on February 29th 2024.

Springboard is for women staff and graduate students, and those who identify as women, who want to take control, become more assertive, increase their confidence & build themselves a more positive attitude in both their work and home lives.

The programme gives you the time to reflect, share and most importantly, set achievable personal and professional goals for now and the future.

Key areas covered include communication skills, assertiveness, self confidence, improving your work/life balance and developing positive skills and attitude. If you want to progress and develop, then this programme is for you.

The programme comprises four days over a three-month period and a workbook to be completed between sessions.

Would you like to help develop at career development programme for Professional Services staff in grades 3 to 6?

This interactive session encourages participants to consider what provisions would be useful to support the development of grades 3 to 6 Professional Services staff, how this might be implemented in terms of course format and delivery and how it might be marketed to the relevant team members to encourage engagement.

This information webinar presents two new apprenticeships to the University:

Learning & Skills Mentor Level 4

Coaching Professional Level 5

The session is an opportunity for you to find out more about these new development opportunities that Cambridge is offering you and to ask any questions.

The Learning and Skills Mentor apprenticeship Level 4 is for individuals who support others with their learning and development towards agreed goals and will benefit any individual looking to develop their abilities as a mentor, team leader, coach, supervisor or manager. You must have a strong aspiration to support learners, along with a commitment to making the time to do so. You may have some pre-existing experience of informal mentoring, that can be built upon throughout the programme. This is a 15-month programme, and you will be expected to mentor at least 3 mentees on this programme.

The Coaching Professional Apprenticeship Level 5 aims to develop the capabilities of current or aspiring coaches, to allow them to develop a range of coaching skills. This is for individuals to work as an internal coach with a wide range of individuals and teams, to enhance their professional performance. Coaching is a way of leading in a non-directive manner, helping people to learn through listening and reflective open questions rather than instructing, giving advice or making suggestions. You will benefit from one-to-one coaching from experienced coach mentors and training the stretches and challenges the development of core coaching skills.

There are two options – a 17-month programme for those new to coaching and 15-month programme for those who have coaching experience. You will be expected to build up a minimum of 36 hours of coaching practice. The completion of the programme will demonstrate that you have acquired and applied the skills needed to be an effective coach.

We are looking to establish what interest there for either apprenticeship and hope that there will be sufficient interest to establish University-wide cohorts. By establishing University-wide cohorts, we are looking to encourage more departments to use apprenticeships as a way to provide focused professional development for staff.

The OCM Group, our approved training provider for these programmes, will deliver the webinar and will be available to answer any questions or concerns that you may have before submitting an expression of interest.

Programme details of each apprenticeship can be found via the links below:

Learning & Skills Mentor Level 4

Coaching Professional Level 5

There is a minimum of 8 people required for each programme, for a cohort to run. Depending on the level of interest shown, it is intended that these apprenticeship cohorts will start mid-2024. However, you will also have the opportunity to join an open (public) cohort if we are unable to reach sufficient numbers for a closed cohort. Entry to these cohorts will be by application and is open to all University employees who meet the eligibility criteria.

A link to the session will be sent with the joining instructions when your booking is confirmed.

Further information from the provider, the OCM Group.

Apprenticeship guidance.

Would you like to help develop at career development programme for Professional Services staff in grades 3 to 6?

This interactive session encourages participants to consider what provisions would be useful to support the development of grades 3 to 6 Professional Services staff, how this might be implemented in terms of course format and delivery and how it might be marketed to the relevant team members to encourage engagement.