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Professional Learning

training

Overview

Southern Cross University (SCU) values and actively encourages professional learning and is committed to:

  • Enhancing the University's performance and reputation through the development of a highly skilled workforce
  • Supporting an integrated approach to professional learning that is an essential part of planning, management and day-to-day working practice. Professional learning programs and activities are based on identified needs, developed consultatively and reflect a balance of individual and organisational priorities. The professional learning program should reflect employees' career development needs and ongoing professional development, seek to optimise the quality of working life, improve workplace productivity and aim to meet the University's strategic and operational needs; and
  • Providing equitable opportunities for employees to learn and develop.

Responsibilities

Employees are responsible for:

  • Taking responsibility for their career;
  • Seeking and using opportunities for development and learning;
  • Developing learning and development goals that meet the University's and individual needs, in consultation with their supervisor; and
  • Assisting as required, with workplace learning and development initiatives, which may involve coaching other colleagues through on-the-job training.

Supervisors and Managers are responsible for:

  • Ensuring equity in the management of professional learning;
  • Discussing development needs with individual employees;
  • Influencing performance with coaching and support;
  • Providing feedback on performance and potential for career development;
  • Identifying professional learning needs, in consultation with employees, as part of the performance management, development and review (PMDR) process; and
  • Ensuring that relevant information arising from audits, grievances and disciplinary procedures is, in consultation with employees concerned, incorporated into professional learning needs identification.

Types of Professional Learning

Professional learning activities may be categorised according to the needs they meet:

  • Organisational needs: inducting new employees, promoting links between employees in different areas, recognising excellence, preparing employees for change, training employees for new duties and positions, learning from external experts, legislative requirements, and preparing employees to carry out more complex levels of responsibility in the University;
  • Occupational needs: skills and knowledge connected with performing the duties of a specific position, maintaining professional expertise in the relevant occupation or discipline, extending professional expertise to encompass new developments in the area, and maintaining current professional registration;
  • Individual needs: job satisfaction, skill development and professional career paths;
  • Professional learning needs: Depending on the type of activity required, professional learning requirements may be provided or resourced by:
    • HR Services (including Workplace Health and Safety training);
    • Technology Services;
    • Equity and Diversity;
    • Division of Research; and
    • Division of Teaching and Learning;
    • Individual Work Units.

Other Development Activities

The University also has a range of specialised programs that provide opportunities for professional learning, including:

These programs are co-ordinated through HR Services.

Planning for Professional Learning

Professional learning planning must take into consideration the University's Strategic Plan and specific needs of the University as well as be a consultative process between employees and their supervisors. Professional learning needs are normally identified through:

  • The PMDR process;
  • Organisational unit planning and review processes;
  • Review of team performance; or
  • An induction or probationary review.

Resourcing for Professional Learning

Resourcing occurs within the University's framework of strategic and operational planning priorities.

Heads of Work Units will fund professional learning initiatives to meet operational needs within their areas of responsibility. Members of Executive and Heads of Work Units may fund professional learning activities to meet the strategic needs of the University.

The SCU Professional Learning Calendar is managed by HR Services and responds to institutional wide professional learning needs.

Accessing Professional Learning Opportunities

SCU offers a range of quality professional learning opportunities for employees.

Courses are advertised through the SCU Professional Learning Calendar, staff emails and a range of individual work unit websites and vary from three day programs to lunchtime seminars covering a range of subject areas.

Employees and managers should also consider accessing external training programs where appropriate.

Access the SCU Professional Learning Calendar, using MyHR, to see the courses currently offered.

Further Information

For assistance and further information contact:

Manager, Organisation Development
E: od@scu.edu.au
T: +61 2 6620 3953

Updated: 08 October 2012