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Staff Directory Home Professional development Related pages and resources Professional development training and resources

Professional development training and resources

Professional skills development aligned to the Role-Based Framework

The University’s professional development offer is aligned with the core skills identified at levels 3 and 2 of our Role-Based Framework.  This helps colleagues identify development opportunities relevant to their role and provides greater clarity about the knowledge and skills they can develop to support their current role and future progression.

The level 3 programme focuses on core skills required for Grades 4 to 6, with some stretch opportunities to develop Grade 7 skills. The Level 2 Programme focuses on core skills required for Grades 7 to 9, with some stretch opportunities to Grade 10 skills.

How to use this directory

Employees are encouraged to review and discuss the opportunities below with their line manager and consider which learning activities may best support their development priorities and career aspirations.

  1. Identify the skills area aligned with individual development goals.
  2. Review, discuss and agree the most suitable option(s) with line managers through PDR and/or regular one-to-one meetings.
  3. Select appropriate internal workshops and supporting external resources.
  4. Book internal workshops via HR Organiser.
  5. Consider additional development opportunities such as projects, mentoring, networking or job shadowing.
  6. Apply learning in practice and reflect on progress during future PDR discussions.

Building relationships

Building relationships develops the communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills needed to build productive working relationships, collaborate effectively and deliver positive outcomes across the University.

Level 3 (grades 4-6, with grade 7 stretch opportunities)

Workshop/Resource  Overview Access
Effective communication and relationship building  Strengthen communication skills, adapt approaches for different audiences and build positive working relationships across the University.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Teamworking, collaboration and influencing  Build collaborative behaviours, contribute effectively to team discussions and positively influence outcomes.  Access HR Organiser and search by programme title to view available dates and book 
Networking and stakeholder engagement  Develop professional networks and strengthen stakeholder relationships that support effective service delivery.  Access HR Organiser and search by programme title to view available dates and book 
Effective communication in the workplace (OpenLearn)  Communication, presentations, networking and workplace conversations.  Open Resource 
Active listening (SkillsYouNeed)  Listening techniques, questioning skills and building rapport.  Open Resource 
Difficult conversations (Acas) Practical guidance for managing challenging workplace discussions.  Open Resource 

Level 2 (grades 7-9, with grade 10 stretch opportunities)

Workshop/Resource  Overview  Access
Strategic communication and relationship leadership  Build strategic communication skills to influence, engage and develop effective partnerships.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Leading teams and influencing outcomes  Strengthen leadership capability to motivate colleagues and achieve shared objectives.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Strategic networking and collaboration  Develop influential stakeholder relationships and partnerships across organisational boundaries.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Professional and yechnical writing (Purdue OWL)  Reports, proposals and professional writing techniques.  Open Resource 
NHS leadership academy resources  Leadership, communication and influencing resources.  Open Resource 
Challenging conversations (Acas) Conflict management and difficult workplace conversations.  Open Resource 

Delivering results

Delivering results develops problem-solving, decision-making and service improvement skills, helping colleagues use evidence effectively to identify insights, prioritise work and deliver high-quality outcomes.

Level 3 (grades 4-6, with grade 7 stretch opportunities)

Workshop/Resource Overview  Access
Problem solving and decision making  Apply structured approaches to identify issues, evaluate options and make effective decisions.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Planning, prioritisation and delivering results  Manage competing priorities, organise workloads and deliver outcomes effectively.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
OpenLearn work skills collection  Critical thinking, problem-solving and practical workplace skills.  Open Resource 
Project Management (OpenLearn)  Project planning, decision-making and successful delivery principles.  Open Resource  
Microsoft Learn  Data literacy, Excel and Power BI learning pathways. Open Resource  

Level 2 (grades 7-9, with grade 10 stretch opportunities)

Workshop/Resource  Overview Access
Complex problem solving and decision making  Address complex challenges, assess risk and make evidence-informed decisions.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Strategic planning and delivery  Lead strategic activity, coordinate resources and deliver organisational objectives.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Performance metrics (gov.uk)  Using measures and evidence to evaluate performance and outcomes.  Open Resource 
IHI open school  Quality improvement and service performance methodologies.  Open Resource (registration required) 
Systems thinking and practice (OpenLearn)  Understanding organisational systems and interdependencies.   Open Resource

Driving transformation

Driving transformation develops the skills needed to improve services, use data effectively to generate insights, embrace change and contribute to innovation and continuous improvement.

Level 3 (grades 4-6, with grade 7 stretch opportunities)

 
Workshop/Resource  Overview  Access
Customer focus and service improvement  Understand customer needs and use feedback to drive continuous service improvement.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Data handling, analysis and insight  Develop practical data analysis skills to identify trends and support informed decision-making.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
User research and service design (gov.uk)  Understanding users and improving services through evidence-based design.  Open Resource 
Microsoft Learn Power BI  Data preparation, analysis and visualisation techniques.  Open Resource 
IBM SkillsBuild  Data analytics, artificial intelligence and digital skills development.  Open Resource (registration required) 

Level 2 (grades 7-9, with grade 10 stretch opportunities)

Workshop/Resource Overview Access
Service leadership and improvement  Lead service evaluation, improvement initiatives and sustainable transformation.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Data, insight and decision making  Use advanced analysis to generate insight and support strategic decisions.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Systems thinking and practice (OpenLearn)  Understanding complex organisational systems and relationships.  Open Resource 
Mastering systems thinking in practice (OpenLearn)  Advanced approaches to analysing interconnected organisational challenges.  Open Resource 
Microsoft learn  Data analysis, Power BI and digital skills pathways.  Open Resource 

Sharing experience

Sharing experience develops personal effectiveness, knowledge-sharing and people-development skills, enabling colleagues to support the growth and success of others.

Level 3 (grades 4-6, with grade 7 stretch opportunities)

Workshop/Resource Overview Access
Personal effectiveness, learning and supporting others  Strengthen self-development, share knowledge effectively and contribute to a positive learning culture.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
NHS leadership academy coaching resources  Coaching techniques and developmental conversations.  Open Resource (provider terms apply) 
Learning how to learn (OpenLearn)  Reflective practice and lifelong learning approaches.  Open Resource (registration optional) 
Learning how to learn (Coursera)  Evidence-based learning strategies and study techniques.  Open Resource (provider terms apply) 

Level 2 (grades 7-9, with grade 10 stretch opportunities)

Workshop/Resource Overview Access
Leading development and capability  Build capability, support development and create a culture of continuous learning.  Access HR Organiser and search by workshop title to view available dates and book 
Workplace learning with coaching and mentoring (OpenLearn)  Supporting workplace learning through coaching and mentoring.  Open Resource 
Exploring career mentoring and coaching (OpenLearn)  Practical mentoring and coaching approaches for career development.  Open Resource 
Using the GROW coaching model (OpenLearn)  Structuring effective coaching conversations using the GROW framework. Open Resource 

Additional resources

Explore professional development activities for all employees by searching the learning event catalogue or staff directory as suggested in the next steps below. 

Activities Focus  Next Steps 
Digital Skills Professional development Find out more on the Staff Directory 
How to sound like Essex Professional development
 Complete the Moodle Course
How to write like Essex  Professional development
 Find out more on the Staff Directory
LinkedIn Learning Professional development  Find out more on the Staff Directory 
Media training  Professional development
 Find out more on the Staff Directory
Safeguarding  Professional development
 Complete the Moodle course 
Academic integrity and plagiarism  Professional development
 Access the Moodle course
Health and Safety  Health and Safety 
 Search the learning event catalogue or find out more on the Staff Directory
Wellbeing  Wellbeing 
 Find out more on the Staff Directory
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
 Search the learning event catalogue 
YUFE Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity online course Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
 Complete the Moodle course 
Project management support and training Projects, planning and data
 Find out more on the Staff Directory
Information assurance and data protection Projects, planning and data
 Find out more on the Staff Directory

 

 


Additional role specific information

Find out more about how Professional Services roles can access specialist training below.

Role  Next steps 
Estates  For all Estates training related queries, contact Anne Marie Lovell.  
Soft FM  Information about all Soft FM staff training courses can be found in Moodle. If you have any queries, email softfm@essex.ac.uk. 
Finance  You can find out about training in the staff directory.
Student's Union  You can find out about training on our staff portal: All Staff Resources (essexstudent.com) or by contacting suhr@essex.ac.uk.  
Technicians  You can access more information about the support available on the staff directory.  

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