PPD Personal and Professional Development course timetable

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.

Coaching is an essential tool for managers and other professionals to use to help individuals to unlock their full potential and enhance their performance. You will be introduced to the technique of coaching and focus on the development of a range of skills that may be used to coach others effectively. This course is highly participative and will include the opportunity to practice your coaching skills.

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 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.

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.

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 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

Managing conflict in the workplace can be difficult, time consuming and can potentially have a negative impact on you and your team. This course will help you to understand some of the reasons why these situations arise, and identify strategies for managing these situations effectively.

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).

This highly interactive workshop will enable you to step back from the ‘day-to-day’ and focus on your career objectives, short and long term. You will have the opportunity to explore what development opportunities you could grasp and what networks might assist you. You will also have the opportunity to consider what’s holding you back and how you can overcome these barriers to fulfil your career aspirations. You will leave the workshop with a personal career plan in draft format, that you will be able to explore in greater depth.

Great team work and individual working relationships are what we all want, but things don’t always run smoothly. We may find ourselves disagreeing with someone over work or behaviours. We may want to tell them how we feel but don’t quite know how to go about it. Sometimes we decide not to have the conversation at all, which can lead to a small problem escalating in to something bigger, more persistent and harder to resolve.

Having honest and open conversations is not always easy and can sometimes lead to a misunderstanding, bad feelings and resentment. On this workshop, using forum theatre with a scenario acted out, we will explore what can go wrong and how to put right. With your interactions, we will help you develop techniques for a constructive conversation that helps to build long-lasting effective relationships and to build trust within the team.

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.

This course prepares you to write a CV, job application and covering letter that stands out and makes employers take notice and to undertake a successful job search. You will learn what to include and exclude in your CV, how to choose the right format, how to tailor information to match job requirements, and how to deal with employment gaps, job hopping and/or lack of experience.

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.

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.

Change is a constant feature in today’s workplace and yet many of us find it hard to navigate successfully through change.

Studies show that the line manager has a critical role to play in ensuring staff are ready for change and in successfully implementing it. These sessions will equip you with the skills and attitudes you need to guide, support and motivate your team through the process of change.

Case studies, discussion and activities will provide the opportunity to share ideas and embed skills.

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.

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.