Broadcast: News items

Next week is Learning at Work Week and we encourage everyone to get inspired and get involved in the many short events and workshops taking place throughout the week. It is also a good opportunity for you to think about the learning and development options at Sussex that you can take advantage of throughout the year.

Organisational Development 

The Organisational Development team offer a broad range of development opportunities and a termly calendar of workshops and events, open to all staff at the University. This team facilitates the Staff Mentoring Programme and Job Shadowing Scheme. 

On their Online Learning Hub, you can find a broad range of online training related to personal and professional development, leadership and management, equality and diversity, wellbeing, and more. 

The OD team also deliver the Management Essentials workshops on a rolling basis every term to complement the online Manager’s Toolkit, which has been designed to support all managers at Sussex to be as effective as possible. 

Staff Apprenticeship Scheme 

Sussex staff can pursue an apprenticeship at no cost, gaining hands-on experience and practical skills while working towards a nationally recognised professional qualification. Apprenticeships are available in a wide variety of subjects at all educational levels, from GCSE through to Masters degree equivalents. 

You are eligible for the Apprenticeship Scheme if you are on the University payroll and the length of your contract covers the duration of the programme. Participation should be discussed and agreed with your line manager. Your current role and responsibilities should align with the content of the apprenticeship course and provide appropriate opportunities for on-the-job training and skills development. 

Chat to Apprenticeships Officer, Chris Hamilton, at the Development and Wellbeing Drop-in on Monday 15 May to find out more and decide if an apprenticeship is right for you. 

Educational Enhancement 

The Educational Enhancement team works to embed best practice in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment. They deliver web-based guidance, workshops and seminars, and foster a range of University-wide networks and initiatives which support pedagogical practice, professional recognition and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).  

The team have also developed some self-study courses for teaching and learning staff on Canvas, which complement their termly programme and online guidance. 

Register for the upcoming Introduction to Scholarship Development workshop on Monday 15 May for an overview of how to use the SoTL to support your career progression and enhance your teaching. 

Research Staff Office 

The Research Staff Office (RSO) deliver a programme of development events and workshops specifically designed for postdoctoral research staff and Research Assistants. Events run throughout the academic year and are free to all Sussex researchers. Events and workshops are clustered under the broad themes of: Career management, Communication and engagement, Managing yourself and others, The research environment and research management/funding, and Progression and leadership. 

The Research Staff Office also offer free one-to-one coaching sessions with an external qualified coach for staff on a Research-only contract. 

Researcher Development Programme 

Delivered by the Doctoral School, the Researcher Development Programme provides year-round training and development opportunities for developing research, personal and professional skills. The programme caters for all levels; from those new to doctoral research to those with more experience. Their workshops, webinars and online modules primarily targeted at doctoral students but also open to research staff. 

Teaching Courses and Qualifications 

Academic Development and Quality Enhancement offer two options for development of your higher education teaching skills: 

• Fundamentals is a six-workshop (15 credit) module for staff with less than three years higher education teaching experience, designed to give you the core skills, methodologies and confidence essential for good teaching at university level. 
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) is a 60-credit course taken part-time over two years, leading to accredited qualification and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. 

You can learn more about these and other development opportunities you could consider in future at the Developing Your Teaching at Sussex webinar on Thursday 18 May. 

LinkedIn Learning 

Sussex staff have free access to LinkedIn Learning and a vast catalogue of courses for developing your business, technological and creative skills. With more than 16,000 courses and personalised recommendations to choose from, you can discover, complete and track courses related to your field and interests. For more information on how to get started, visit the ITS LinkedIn Learning page.