Staff Training and Development Policy

Staff training and development is a process of continuing professional growth. At its heart are the professional, personal and career needs of all college staff.

The college is committed to balancing individual staff needs with college, community and national needs. The overall aim is to enable the college to be responsive in meeting new initiatives and challenges as identified by the government, college plan, appraisal and review processes. The intention is for the college to be more reflective, self-improving organisation. The staff training and development operates within budget constraints and is subject to review with an annual report to the Academic Board and the Governing Body of the college.

Staff Entitlement

• Access to, and equal opportunities for staff training and development;
  
• An induction programme on joining the college or on taking up a new role in the college;
  
• Support for teacher training leading to a formal teacher qualification;
  
• A regular and negotiated review of individual needs through the college’s Appraisal Scheme.

Staff Roles and Responsibilities

Each member of staff has a responsibility for their own self-development and for maintaining their continuous professional development.

The Principal in consultation with the Director of Human Resources and Professional Development has overall responsibility for the college staff training and development policy and for ensuring that college priorities and targets are met in line with college strategic and operational plans

The Director of Human Resources and Professional Development is responsible for the management of the college staff training and development function ensuring coherence.

Heads of Faculty, Section Leaders, Programme Leaders and Team Manager/Leaders are responsible for:

• Identifying needs in relation to college strategic and operational objectives
  
• Identifying individual needs through appraisal
  
• Contributing to the annual staff training and development plan
  
• Evaluating the outcomes of long and short staff training and development courses.

Director of Human Resources and Professional Development
Reviewed August 2008

NB All Policies are available for viewing in the Personnel area in LearnZone.