All PPD Personal and Professional Development courses

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.

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.

Access the recording of the Immigration Rules for Visitors from 31 January 2024 webinar.

This programme is designed to support leaders and managers across the University (in academic, research and professional service posts) with the skills and insights they need to lead others effectively. It will enable participants to reflect on their current leadership style and provide techniques they can use to effectively manage a diverse range of perspectives and create an inclusive culture across the University. Those with responsibility for others have a key role to play in shaping a positive working environment, supporting progression and ensuring equality, including pay equality. Given the University's strategic priorities, it is critical that leaders and managers understand the impact of their decisions throughout the employment timeline and know how to reduce the risk of sex, race or other discrimination, whether explicit or implicit.

The programme is delivered in partnership with Pearn Kandola, experts in evidence-based inclusive leadership development.

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 online course welcomes new staff to the University. It provides key information to help staff settle into their new role quickly and achieve their full potential within their role as soon as possible. It will provide new staff with a summary of the induction process, an overview of the University's structure, and highlight essential information about some of the services available to staff during their employment.

This online course complements the local induction new staff will receive in their institution, department or faculty.

A Raven password is needed to access this online course. Further information about Raven.

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.

Effective risk management enables the University to identify, assess and seize opportunities which assist in the delivery of its objectives and improve its performance, whilst protecting the reputation and sustainability of the University. The University is committed to ensuring that it has a robust and comprehensive system of risk management in line with the requirements of the Office for Students.

This interactive tutorial provides an introduction to the principles of risk management at the University of Cambridge. The course will give you an introduction to risk management, help you to understand why risk management is necessary and point to some practical tools and guidance to support you in managing risks.

During this period, PPD is keen to continue to promote development opportunities for University staff. This information webinar will help you to identify if you wish to progress your development by way of an Apprenticeship.

We are looking to explore what interest there is at this current time in the Laboratory Technician Level 3 and Technician Scientist Level 5 apprenticeships and hope that there will be sufficient interest to establish a 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. Any participants will also have the advantage of a peer group support to work through the programme with. The webinar will be presented by CSR Scientific Training Ltd, who specialise in the delivery of these apprenticeship programmes.

Laboratory Technicians are found in a wide range of organisations, including but not exclusively, chemical, primary and secondary pharmaceutical, biotechnology, formulated products, nuclear companies; and analytical science services, dental laboratories and educational establishments. The broad purpose of the occupation is working at the forefront of technology to carry out both routine and one-off laboratory testing (and manufacturing where relevant) and perform a variety of technical support functions across the organisations.

The broad purpose of the Technician Scientist is to carry out established laboratory based investigations and scientific experimentation using bench and instrumentation techniques. A technician scientist will apply a range of skills and follow well established principles associated with their organisation’s science and technology. They carry out routine lines of enquiry, development or investigation. They collect scientific information and analyse, interpret and evaluate data. They prepare results and provide progress updates of their work.

• Apprenticeships Website
• Lab Tech Apprenticeship Standard link
• Technician Scientist Apprenticeship Standard Link

The ability to recruit and retain the best staff is critical to the success of your team and the wider University. Recruitment and retention has been a hot topic across the University over recent months, where we have witnessed increased difficulty in attract staff in a wide range of roles and functional areas. How can you effectively create, describe and promote your vacancies? How do you decide what criteria should be essential and which ones should be desirable? How do you conduct effective interviews, so that learn more about the candidate’s suitability, whilst creating a positive experience for the candidate? In this podcast, Reshmin Haq (PPD) talks all things recruitment with Andrew Rowland (Resourcing Adviser).

Access the recording of the LMN: Recruiting the Right Candidate podcast

Hear from Andi Hudson, Director of HR and primary sponsor for the HR Transformation Programme, as she tells us about the exciting changes that are on the horizon for us all this year and next.

Andi's input covers the work underway to streamline our processes and introduce myHR, the new HR and payroll system, which will give us direct access to our own HR data and relevant information to support our teams, including induction plans and approval of leave. Collectively we will also be able to gather accurate high-level data to prioritise people development across the organisation.

The session also covers what it means for you and your teams, including managing change more broadly as a key part of your role as a manager. Find out how to share your thoughts and ideas about how we can support you in this area, and about the opportunity for you or one of your team members to join the new Advocates network.

Visit HRTransformation to read more about its aims and watch the introductory film from Andi.

Watch the recording of LMN The HR Transformation Programme Webinar.

Access the slides and links for LMN The HR Transformation Programme Webinar.

Further information regarding the Leaders and Managers Network.

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 and Management Guidelines: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

The Briefing aims to address key information required for Heads of Institution with regard to finance. Professor David Cardwell, PVC Strategy and Planning and David Hughes, Director of Finance will cover the following topics:

• University financials and overarching narrative
• Planning, budgeting and investment decision making (today and tomorrow)
• Introduction to key Financial Regulations and operational procedures
• Current key transformational initiatives, including the Enhanced Financial Transparency project
• Where to go for help and support

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

The Briefing aims to address key information required for Heads of Institution with regard to finance. Professor David Cardwell, PVC Strategy and Planning and David Hughes, Director of Finance will cover the following topics:

• University financials and overarching narrative
• Planning, budgeting and investment decision making (today and tomorrow)
• Introduction to key Financial Regulations and operational procedures
• Current key transformational initiatives, including the Enhanced Financial Transparency project
• Where to go for help and support

Access the recording of Leadership Briefing Series: Finance for Heads of Institution: Webinar

Alison will provide you with an understanding of the importance of philanthropy, how it makes a difference for Cambridge and how you can partner in raising private support for departments and the University.

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

Alison will provide you with an understanding of the importance of philanthropy, how it makes a difference for Cambridge and how you can partner in raising private support for departments and the University.

Access the Leadership Briefing Series: Fundraising and Philanthropy: Webinar.

Ndunge will provide an insight on utilising data-driven approaches to enhance workforce inclusivity through EDI initiatives, fostering an environment of excellence and equality.

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

The Director of Estates Operations will provide an overview of the Estates Division and various initiatives underway to improve the Estate. 

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

Jo’s briefing will provide you with an understanding of the risks associated with undertaking externally funded research projects and how income from research impacts the University finances, particularly in the current climate.

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

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.

• Leadership Masterclass: Delivering Impact Working with a Global Network: Bitesize
• Leadership Masterclass: Leadership Matters: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Leading Change Model: Bitesize

PPD bitesize resources are short and high impact; including videos, quick tips guides and interactive bitesize modules. Develop your skills and knowledge quickly, easily, when you need. They complement face to face events and more in-depth online modules.

Change is a constant feature in today’s workplace and this level of change certainly won’t go away and may indeed become more intense.

Studies show that the line manager has a critical role to play in ensuring staff are ready for change and in successfully implementing it. It can therefore be helpful to reflect on how we personally approach and manage change and how we can lead and support our teams through change.

This online course will give you some practical steps to help you lead your team through change whilst maintaining your own wellbeing.

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.

How do you lead, build and contribute to creating effective Teams? What is the secret map for this? In this podcast, Reshmin Haq (PPD) discusses building effective teams using the Tuckman model with Daniela Manca (University Recovery Programme).

Access the recording of the Let us Talk Teams Podcast.