All PPD Personal and Professional Development courses

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.

A network meeting for university staff interested in establishing an apprenticeship under the Apprenticeship Levy to share questions, experiences and advice.

Do you find yourself saying ‘Yes’ when you really mean to say ‘No’? Or do you get the impression people think you’re rather too direct? This course will teach you to avoid both extremes and to build constructive working relationships through assertiveness – a form of behaviour that demonstrates your self-respect and your respect for others.

At work and at home, it’s all too easy to speak and act without thinking – and then regret it afterwards. Acting on instinct can lead us to behave aggressively or passively. Both of these are generally unhelpful for our own reputation and for our relationships with others.

Communicating Assertively will show you how to avoid both extremes and instead to use assertive behaviour to build constructive and respectful working relationships.

This online module will help you understand the assertive mindset and highlight what assertiveness looks and sounds like.

View a short trailer for the online module.

For additional guidance you can visit our Guide to successful online learning.

If you would prefer to complete the blended programme, which provides an opportunity to put your assertive skills into practice in a face to face workshop, as well as completing the online module, please visit the booking page for the blended programme.

"It all boils down to communication", how many times have we heard that phrase? This interactive online module is packed full of useful tips and practical examples to help you get your point across more clearly, ask the right questions and listen better to what others have to say.

The module introduces you to the key concepts of communication skills through a variety of media, offering those new to this topic a solid grounding in the essentials, as well as a great refresher for more experienced communicators.

If you’re short of time and just need the basics, or you want to explore things in a bit more detail, the versatile structure of this module offers you the flexibility to learn in the way that best fits with your schedule.

View a short trailer for the module.

Even the most skilled communicators sometimes struggle to get their message across. This course will equip you with the mindset and knowledge to communicate effectively when it really matters. Learn how to deliver your message with sincerity, clarity and enthusiasm. Staff who wish to improve their one-to-one communication skills in challenging and difficult situations will benefit from this course.

Increase your confidence and skills in one-to-one communication with this highly participative course. Effective communication starts in your head and it isn’t just about the words you say. Your tone of voice, facial expression and body language all communicate a message. This course will help you get your message across more clearly. You will also have the opportunity to practise communication skills on a one-to-one basis.

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a conflict wondering how you got into it and how to get out? This course sets out to identify and examine the causes of conflict and to offer a range of practical techniques for resolving disputes. Skilled negotiation is often crucial and this course introduces a proven approach that is used widely by professional mediators and negotiators. You will have the opportunity to explore and practice key ideas using presentation, self assessment, role play and discussion in a friendly and informal group setting.

The rights and responsibilities outlined in data protection and freedom of information legislation impact upon the University’s academic and administrative work. This course explores the key concepts in data protection law and illustrates how the ‘data protection principles’ affect various day-to-day working scenarios. It introduces the fundamental aspects of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and details the ways in which the University handles responses to individual requests. Finally, it outlines various records management and information security measures that can aid compliance with the legislation and lead to a more efficient working environment.

This online course offers a short introduction to data protection concepts, explains why they are important to the University, and signposts to further guidance materials. As nearly all University staff are likely to collect and handle personal information about living identifiable individuals in one way or another, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the main issues.

The content of this course reflects the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation as well as related data protection law.

This course prepares you to excel at interview. You will learn how to anticipate questions you will be asked and plan how to answer them successfully. You will also learn how to project yourself positively and feel as calm and in control as you will look.

This course is highly participative and will include a short mock interview as well as an opportunity to share experiences with other course members.

The focus of the course is to provide participants with the generic skills necessary to succeed at interview in a variety of contexts.

This course prepares you to search and apply for your next job opportunity. You will learn: where to look for suitable job opportunities, how to write clear and concise CV’s and produce Job Applications that highlight your key skills and experience.

This course is highly participative and offers you the opportunity to share and learn from your own and other's experiences.

In the workplace there will be occasions when people feel that they have been bullied, harassed or subjected to inappropriate behaviour. This is a practical and important interactive session which is designed to provide clarity and guidance on the University’s Dignity at Work policy and procedures. It will explain the legal framework, and will clarify options and practical measures open to you to help you address Dignity at Work problems if they arise.

This session will provide staff with an overview of the Disclosure and Barring Service and how to request criminal record checks for eligible roles within the University.

The Staff Review and Development (SRD) process provides the opportunity for supervisors, managers and academics to engage in constructive discussion with their staff or academic colleagues about current and future work and their personal and career development.

This online module, including visual, audio and filmed material, will focus on an overview of the process, practical advice and useful reminders of good practice to help you to make the most of SRD. You will need a PC, Mac or tablet device.

Please make a booking to receive instructions about how to access the online module. For additional guidance you can visit our online learning section of the website.

View a short trailer for the online module.

This short online guide for all staff provides hints, tricks and tips to help you manage your Inbox.

Following the EU Referendum in June 2016, the University has been working to assist its EU/EEA and Swiss staff with legal and practical guidance around residency and citizenship options. It is the government’s ambition to document all EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who are present in the UK, through the introduction of ‘Settled’ and ‘Pre-Settled’ status. This scheme was opened fully to the public in March 2019.

Following the success of similar sessions which were ran last year, we are pleased to offer a further series of presentations which will provide information on current residency rights, and a detailed overview of the settled and pre-Settled status application process, and details on how to apply for British Citizenship if desired. These presentations give you the opportunity to see the application process first hand and to give you the information you need to make an application.

Note: In the event the UK leaves the EU on 31 October 2019 with ‘no deal’ there is no obligation or requirement for EU/EEA or Swiss citizens to gain settled or pre-settled status by this date. The deadline for applications in the event of a no-deal is currently 31 December 2020.

The presentations will be led by Graeme Ross, the Immigration and Compliance Manager at the University, who is an experienced UK and EU immigration practitioner.

Three seminars will be provided initially, with further sessions available should there be sufficient demand. There will be an opportunity at the end of each presentation for questions and answers.

Giving effective feedback to your team members is one of the key responsibilities of anyone who supervises or manages others. It improves performance, boosts morale and can help people to do their job to the best of their ability.

This module is full of key tips to help you give feedback that is supportive, constructive and helpful and incorporates instructional film resources to help you apply what you have learned. It also focuses on how to avoid common mistakes when giving feedback to others and how to receive feedback well.

This session is for staff in HR related roles and will provide an overview of recent changes to the UK immigration system for non-EEA nationals, and an update on ‘Brexit’.

For the latter, practical guidance will be provided in respect of EU nationals and recruitment/immigration matters in the context of the ongoing Brexit negotiations.

This course is recommended for those responsible for the recruitment and selection of staff, particularly if you are new to the University but also for existing staff seeking a refresher.

With the introduction of the points-based immigration system and with immigration legislation becoming ever stricter, the UK now operates one of the world’s most complex immigration systems.

The aim of this course is to help those involved with recruitment and selection to navigate the rules which regulate the recruitment of individuals who are subject to immigration control, whilst ensuring full compliance. It will outline the key requirements in advertising, selection, pre-employment checks and the responsibilities throughout employment that the University is legally bound to observe.

This programme is designed to support academic, research and professional service leaders and managers 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 programme is designed to support academic and research leaders and managers with the skills and insights they need to lead others effectively. Group leaders and PIs/senior researchers with responsibility for others are particularly encouraged to attend.

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 online course welcomes new staff to the University and provides key information to help them settle into their new role quickly and achieve their full potential within their role as soon as possible. It will give new staff an overview of the University, including what to expect from induction and essential information along with some background on the history and traditions.

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. If you don't already have one, visit http://www.cam.ac.uk/cs/docs/faq/n5.html

Mentoring can be a really useful 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, giving them the opportunity to explore the key benefits for mentors and mentees, learn some key skills needed to both mentor and be mentored effectively and become familiar with some simple models, tools and techniques to support the mentoring partnership and 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.