PPD Personal and Professional Development course timetable

Recommended for those responsible for the recruitment and selection of staff, who are interested in developing further skills in this area. 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).

Springboard is a personal development programme for all female staff/graduate students. It will give you the opportunity to take stock and consider your personal and professional goals.

During the programme you will explore your future in a practical way and learn how to develop your potential. You will undertake realistic self-assessment and set challenging goals.

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.

Communicating clearly and being engaging can be challenging in any work environment. Doing so remotely can be even more difficult. Whether you’re teaching, leading meetings or preparing for an interview, this session will provide you with constructive feedback and tips to refine your speaking style, get your points across, and increase your personal impact. Coaching will “zoom in” on the areas you need to focus on, address any concerns you may have about your communication skills, and help you shape and deliver your message with clarity and confidence.

Participants may also find it useful to complete the Presentation Skills online module

Please only book one session. This booking page may be used to book a follow-up session for additional support, through mutual agreement with the trainer.

Leadership Essentials is a key programme suitable for those with responsibilities for others’ work, behaviour and development, which aims to help managers refresh and build their skills and experience in this area. As well as clarifying key responsibilities, it focuses on critical areas that some can find more difficult, such as giving and receiving feedback effectively and handling challenging conversations. The programme incorporates tutor input; opportunities for discussion, 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.

Before attending, please take some time to review the short Leadership Essentials: Management Responsibilities Films of other University colleagues talking about their role as a manager.

These monthly meetings are for managers and leaders across the University to meet informally and talk about the successes and challenges of this part of their role. The meetings are for all those who are professionally responsible for others in the workplace, formally and informally.

The meeting may include a short update about the Network or opportunities for leaders and managers. Following that is the chance for smaller groups of colleagues to speak about current priorities and plans, and to feedback suggestions for the development of the Network, supported by PPD.

Further information regarding the Leaders and Managers Network.

The University is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming and inclusive community that nurtures a culture in which we treat one another with courtesy and professionalism, whilst robustly challenging each other’s views and opinions. There is no place for bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual misconduct, or victimisation in our community, collectively referred to as inappropriate behaviour.

The Regent House is currently considering a new Dignity at Work policy (2023 edition), Grievance Policy and Code of Behaviour. This session focuses on the practical measures, knowledge and skills needed by HR professionals, Institutional administrators and others with professional responsibility for others, to create and support a culture which is courteous and professional; where we can appropriately tackle inappropriate behaviour and where there is confidence in the systems to carry that out.

It provides techniques to support colleagues, managers and Heads of Institution to build confidence to address inappropriate behaviour and other difficult situations at the earliest stage possible maximising the potential for early and sustained resolution of any potential conflict.

The session will have interactive elements, including considering a case study and potential options for resolving with the best possible outcomes for all.

This series of meetings are for technical managers and leaders across the University to meet informally and talk about the successes and challenges of this part of their role.

The meetings are for all those who are professionally responsible for others in the workplace, formally and informally. The meeting may include a short update about the Network or opportunities for leaders and managers. Following that is the chance for smaller groups of colleagues to speak about current priorities and plans, and to feedback suggestions for the development of the Network, supported by PPD.

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.

The Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the success of those who have achieved their apprenticeships, recognising those apprentices who have made a real difference to their workplace and used an apprenticeship to boost their career. It will also recognise the individuals who champion and promote apprenticeships in their school/department and across the University.

Apprenticeship Awards in 2023 will be made for the following categories:

• Apprentice of the Year – Intermediate and Advanced Levels 2&3

• Apprentice of the Year – Higher Levels 4&5

• Apprentice of the Year – Degree Levels 6&7

• Apprenticeship Champion

A special award will also be presented for the Rising Star, this will be for an apprentice that has made impressive progress in their career to date and have the potential to go even further.

Please note that this event will be recorded. Details of the recording will follow after the session.

Have you ever been concerned about a situation and wanted to help, but didn't? Hearing a racist/sexist/homophobic joke in the tea room? Seeing an inappropriate touch of a friend? Watching a colleague wince at being belittled or interrupted in a team meeting? You're not alone, this is more common for many of us than you might think.

Come along to this short session to find out why this happens and what it means to be an active bystander. This includes simple changes and actions you can take to support others around you without confrontation and, over time, support a more inclusive environment for all of us to live and work in.

Leadership Essentials is a key programme suitable for those with responsibilities for others’ work, behaviour and development, which aims to help managers refresh and build their skills and experience in this area. As well as clarifying key responsibilities, it focuses on critical areas that some can find more difficult, such as giving and receiving feedback effectively and handling challenging conversations. The programme incorporates tutor input; opportunities for discussion, 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.

Before attending, please take some time to review the short Leadership Essentials: Management Responsibilities Films of other University colleagues talking about their role as a manager.

Communicating clearly and being engaging can be challenging in any work environment. Doing so remotely can be even more difficult. Whether you’re teaching, leading meetings or preparing for an interview, this session will provide you with constructive feedback and tips to refine your speaking style, get your points across, and increase your personal impact. Coaching will “zoom in” on the areas you need to focus on, address any concerns you may have about your communication skills, and help you shape and deliver your message with clarity and confidence.

Participants may also find it useful to complete the Presentation Skills online module

Please only book one session. This booking page may be used to book a follow-up session for additional support, through mutual agreement with the trainer.

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 presentation providing an update on the University’s response to supporting staff during this pandemic, working from home, returning or continuing to work at the University
• A presentation on the benefits of being part of the University of Cambridge

These monthly meetings are for managers and leaders across the University to meet informally and talk about the successes and challenges of this part of their role. The meetings are for all those who are professionally responsible for others in the workplace, formally and informally.

The meeting may include a short update about the Network or opportunities for leaders and managers. Following that is the chance for smaller groups of colleagues to speak about current priorities and plans, and to feedback suggestions for the development of the Network, supported by PPD.

Further information regarding the Leaders and Managers Network.

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.

Leadership Essentials is a key programme suitable for those with responsibilities for others’ work, behaviour and development, which aims to help managers refresh and build their skills and experience in this area. As well as clarifying key responsibilities, it focuses on critical areas that some can find more difficult, such as giving and receiving feedback effectively and handling challenging conversations. The programme incorporates tutor input; opportunities for discussion, 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.

Before attending, please take some time to review the short Leadership Essentials: Management Responsibilities Films of other University colleagues talking about their role as a manager.