Learning and development

Supporting your development is a key principle for the University. Whatever your role, we want to encourage all colleagues to access and engage with learning and development opportunities, to help you reach your full potential.

Induction

You’ll benefit from a structured induction programme, with resources, events and information to help you settle into your role at the University. You will also have access to a series of mandatory training to ensure you can work safely in your new role.

Staff Review and Development Scheme (SRDS)

You’ll have an annual meeting with your manager or designated reviewer to reflect on your previous 12 months, explore development opportunities and agree objectives for the coming year ahead.

Development for all colleagues

We have a range of programmes and learning modules to support your development, enhance your skills and expand your working relationships and networks. Our dedicated central learning and development hub offers a variety of learning resources tailored to your needs. Choose from a wide range of topics and learn at your own pace to advance your career at the University.

Frameworks to support your career development

Our shared skills framework outlines the transferable skills that all professional and technical staff use, and our career routes map the career paths that exist. These resources together help staff understand available roles, required skills, and development opportunities to advance their careers.

Our Academic Career Pathways outlines what it means to be an academic in an ambitious, research-intensive institution like the University of Sheffield, providing greater clarity and transparency, as well as recognising and rewarding all the elements of an academic role whether that is in teaching, research or innovation.

Supporting colleagues within their specific roles

Alongside our development support for all colleagues, we have a number of teams across the University who offer tailored development and training opportunities suited to specific roles to ensure that our approach is connected with University vision and ambitions. We have opportunities, inspiration and guidance for:

• Technicians, to help increase the visibility and recognition of technical talent and expertise; including professional registration and funding calls
• The continuous professional development of researchers at the University, supporting individual career ambitions in and beyond academia
• All staff who teach and support learning (including PGR students) to engage in professional development, support to develop your students’ research skills and critical thinking
• Colleagues whose role is student-facing, involves student support or student administration

If you’re a leader and manager

Whether you’re a professional services, technical, or academic leader, we have a number of dedicated leadership and management development programmes designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to develop and grow as a leader. Alongside this, we have a number of toolkits, signposts, development opportunities and resources to support you in your role.

Coaching and Mentoring

We have a number of informal and formal mentoring and coaching opportunities to support you with your growth and development.

Workplace learning opportunities

The University has a number of workplace learning opportunities that are available for you to engage with such as secondments and shadowing that can support an integrated approach to learning and knowledge exchange across the organisation.