1 CPD, Workforce Development and GEES: How do we respond? Sharon Gedye GEES Subject Centre

2 Employer Engagement Scoping Exercise –10 Earth Science and 10 Environmental Science providers –Geography to follow –Structured interviews –Conducted by Helen King & Julie Gallimore –Focus on EE – useful insight into CPD

3 CPD Provision 7/10 Earth Sci & 5/10 Environmental Sci For most – low key Some provision industry-led Some provision is hopeful – in search of a market

4 CPD Provision: Short Courses Day courses to 10 week programmes Evening and weekend provision Class-based and field-based Employees come to us and we go to employers Run by department or run centrally

5 CPD Provision: Masters Employers sponsor employees Employees undertake individual modules Flexible delivery –Short, fat units –Virtual learning We currently have 280 students in employment studying on our virtual Masters programmes. These students are scattered all over the world – there is lots of flexibility about how and where they study.

6 CPD Provision We have a well-established programme of approximately 30 presentations a year, offered in response to employer demand. Being out there on the CPD circuit you can see what is coming next. You are also part of a feedback loop where employers find out about what you are doing and invite you into consultancy and research opportunities. Its a self-financing programme and a good source of employer networking opportunities.

7 Barriers None It is part of the culture of the department and institution Lack of time and reward –Reduced teaching load –RAE / research pressures

8 Barriers –Lack of professional contacts –Too small scale –No money in it / uncertain financial returns –Lack of understanding between employers and academics –Lack of institutional support –Timetabling / lack of flexibility to respond –Traditional academic views

9 Barriers –Regarding CPD provision, RAE and research is the priority. Providing CPD is only worth doing if it brings in adequate income – a profit-maker to raise resources to support other activities. –An external barrier is the way universities work. There isnt really a system for running short-courses – everythings geared up to year-long courses. –Were a small department and are overloaded anyway.

10 Support / Guidance –Funding – dedicated staff position –Info / database on what GEES employers want –Case Studies / evidence to illustrate impact of EE –Research funding linked to EE –Opportunities to meet with employers –Training for academics in EE

11 Where are the opportunities for GEES workforce up-skilling? Come up with 3 ideas Who might you need to talk? What might you need to know? Dont dwell on the barriers!