JAMES WATT COLLEGE
Title:
QUALITY MANUAL POLICY
Policy Number: JWC- QMP-3.1
Learning & Development Policy
Update on: September 2011
Review Date: September 2012
Version: 1
Prepared by: Learning and
Responsible Person: Learning and
Development Co-ordinator
Development Co-ordinator
Approving Committee:
Approval Date:
HRD Committee
April 2010
Equality Impact Assessed by:
EIA Date:
Ann Heron
May 2010
For Public Access (Internet)?
For Staff Access only (intranet)?
No
Yes
Impact on other College Policies?
If Yes – please list
No
1. Introduction
The purpose of this Policy is to provide clear information for all staff in relation to
Learning + Development here at James Watt College. This policy has been
created to support staff in their requests to take part in staff development
opportunities. By enabling staff to follow the guidelines in this Policy, staff will
have a greater understanding of Learning + Development within the college.
2. Purpose
This Policy document explains how we intend to support and implement Learning
+ Development for all staff in the College’s employment.
JAMES WATT COLLEGE
QUALITY MANUAL POLICY
3. Scope
3.1 Our aim is to support staff in realising opportunities to engage in a
minimum of 6 days CPD per year. For teaching staff, 3 of these days are to be
dedicated to the core business and their primary role of Learning and Teaching
with the other 3 days dedicated to their subject specialism.
3.2
Our Objectives are to ensure that:

an induction programme introduces new staff into the ethos, policy
framework and structures of James Watt College, including the
Safeguarding Policy and the Equality + Diversity policy together with all
necessary mandatory training required of all staff at the College.

access is made available for all staff to access their individual staff
Learning + Development records through the Trent Learning +
Development system

development opportunities are available for staff to enhance their
academic, professional and teaching skills, and to encourage reflection on
professional practice

teaching staff commencing employment with the college undertake the
PDA: Learning and Teaching in FE within 18 months

opportunities are provided to support teaching staff in obtaining the
Teaching Qualification (FE) as soon as possible to ensure quality of
delivery for all Learners.

opportunities are provided to enhance professional capabilities for those
delivering academic support services

programmes are made available which develop the ability of staff to
develop a curriculum that allows students to demonstrate independence
and self reliance in their learning

staff have an awareness of the skills level required by staff of different
ways in which student learning may be supported through flexible learning
methods, using the ICT infrastructure effectively where appropriate
JAMES WATT COLLEGE
QUALITY MANUAL POLICY

partnerships with the Trade Union Learning Representatives in supporting
Learning + Development opportunities for all staff are developed upon and
used effectively

a system of individual Performance + Development Review is used and
training for staff undertaking review meetings to ensure that appropriate
individual targets are identified is undertaken

financial support is made available to assist staff in study for relevant
qualifications to support their role in James Watt College

Learning + Development contribute to and learn from networks developing
best practice in staff development in the sector, including SFEU etc

Learning + Development develop ways of enhancing the skills of staff in
networking and teambuilding, both within the James Watt College and
with employers, students and communities

Learning + Development promote opportunities to enhance the
management skills of staff undertaking positions of leadership and
responsibility in James Watt College
4. Policy Statement/Description
Policy Statement
James Watt College is strongly committed to supporting Continuing Professional
Development, recognising that the quality of the college education provision is realised
through the professional skills of its staff. Learning + Development is an integral part of the
College’s strategic planning process. The College recognises that organisational excellence
can only be achieved and maintained by appropriately skilled, experienced and motivated
staff.
4.1 James Watt College Learning + Development is overseen by the HRD
Committee, a committee of the Board of Management. This committee is
responsible for ensuring that the Learning & Development Strategy and Policy
and their contents are implemented across all areas the college.
JAMES WATT COLLEGE
QUALITY MANUAL POLICY
4.2 Individual Performance + Development Reviews (PDRs) for staff of James
Watt College will enable staff to clarify their own priorities and development
needs against those of James Watt College’s Strategic + Operational plans. The
policy on payment for Learning + Development Activities is as follows:











Where individuals are undertaking a programme of study, there will be a
documented agreement specifying the contribution that the individual and
the college is making
The upper limit for financial contributions by the college for any Learning
and Development activity will be £1500 per year per individual. Any /All
remaining fees to be paid by the member of staff or any other means of
sponsorship funding.
Only one individual per Centre/Area is eligible to take part in a £1500+
Learning and Development opportunity in one academic year.
Applications to Learning + Development for funding for subsequent years
of study are not automatically guaranteed
Staff are to submit new ED1s/EDAs for each new year of their studies
The College contribution of a maximum of £1500 is for course fees only
The College will pay for exams but not resits
The College will pay for travel and subsistence
The College will not pay for books, course materials or course resources
The staff member will indicate the ways in which dissemination will be
carried out
A Cost Recovery Agreement will be put in place to ensure that any
member of staff who has had college funding for any Learning and
Development Activity which exceeds £1000 will repay a the full cost or a
percentage of those funds within a period of twenty four months from the
completion date should their employment with the College terminate for
any reason, other than due to their involuntary redundancy.
4.3 Information on staff development needs will be sought from a range of
internal and external sources by the Learning + Development area in May of
each year. Where further detail is required, training needs surveys will be carried
out to clarify the needs of particular groups.
4.4 Learning + Development programmes for each year will be developed and
targets set to meet these identified needs. This will be presented to BOM, via
HRD Committee.
Learning + Development opportunities will be provided through a variety of
means including:
JAMES WATT COLLEGE











QUALITY MANUAL POLICY
Support for all Development Managers to provide focused
development days for their area of responsibility
Financial support for staff undertaking qualificatory courses, supported
through Employee Development applications (ED1s/EDAs)
by
individuals or groups
Financial support for staff attending conferences and short courses
Fee waiver for staff undertaking programmes through James Watt
college, where this is supported by the line manager
Annual James Watt College All Staff development days/Staff
conference
Seminars, workshops and cascade training designed to stimulate
development of new ways of teaching, learning and working
Mentoring, work shadowing, individual advice sessions, Industrial and
other secondments and self directed learning
Development of systems to support staff in portfolio development to
meet requirements of A1 & V1
Provision of short residential workshops for key groups of staff
Support of informal meetings and small working groups on issues of
particular interest
Identification and sharing of good practice across the network
4.5 Responsibilities in relation to Staff Learning & Development
1) The College
The College through the Assistant Principal - Organisational Development and
the Learning + Development Co-ordinator has a responsibility to:





Resource Learning & Development and ensure Learning Centres
and Service Areas provide developmental plans as part of the
Operational Planning and PDR process.
Monitor and review the organisational spend on Learning &
Development activity
Establish performance indicators against which Centres / Service
areas and individuals can be measured.
Identify and provide selected and targeted development activities
supporting each organisational strategy and the overall Strategic
Plan
Provide development supporting government legislation.
JAMES WATT COLLEGE
QUALITY MANUAL POLICY
2) All Line Managers
All line managers are required to be discerning in their consideration of all/any
applications by staff members in their area. Line managers must ensure that a
discussion regarding an application to attend a learning and development activity
has taken place with the individual concerned prior to their application being
submitted to the Learning + Development Team for consideration.
All College line managers are required to ensure that staff are provided with the
necessary opportunities in accordance with the following:






New members of staff receive a thorough induction into their
working environment i.e. attend college Induction and progress
through a Locally Tailored Induction Programme.
Identify Learning + Development needs for individual members of
staff and the Centre/Service area as a whole using the College’s
PDR process and the Learning & Development Evaluation Process
ensuring the effective integration into the Centre/Service Area
Planning Process.
Implement all Learning + Development Plans within their areas of
responsibility and within the constraints of available resources
allocated.
Manage the release of staff to participate in approved development
activities.
Encourage performance improvement and job satisfaction by
providing formal and informal feedback and by using such
techniques as coaching and mentoring.
Establish objectives for all development to aid the evaluation of the
impact and effectiveness of Learning + Development activities in
their area of responsibility.
3) All College Staff
All staff have a clear responsibility to develop their skills and knowledge as a
means of enhancing performance in their current and future roles. Staff, therefore
are required to:


Plan and take ultimate responsibility for their careers and
professional development
Identify their needs through constructive use of the PDR process
and consultation with their line managers
JAMES WATT COLLEGE


QUALITY MANUAL POLICY
Seek opportunities to improve the skills and knowledge required in
their current positions
Highlight to line managers if and where objectives are not being
met as a result of insufficiently developed skills and knowledge
5. Procedure
5.1 Monitoring
An annual report will be presented to HRD committee/BOM in October detailing
the CPD activities undertaken by staff. The report will include an analysis of
participation by staff in different kinds of activity. Information on the progress of
individuals receiving financial support will form part of the report. The report will
evaluate the previous year’s staff development against the identified targets,
considering both individual programmes and progress towards strategic &
Operational objectives.
Policy Review
This Learning + Development Policy will be reviewed within three years. However
ongoing changes in legislation may require amendment to and presentation of
revisions to the Board prior to this date.
5.2 Communication
This policy will be available to external and internal parties via our College
website and will be publicised on our staff intranet
6. Equality
The Equality + Diversity Policy sets out the College’s commitment to staff and
students with disabilities and provides a framework to ensure that the College
offers a supportive learning and work environment for all members of the College
community.
6.1
All staff, regardless of level in the organisation or location in the
organisation, category or nature of employment, should be given the
opportunity to participate in development programmes that are
appropriate.
JAMES WATT COLLEGE
QUALITY MANUAL POLICY
6.2
When decisions have to be made with regard to the prioritisation of
Learning + Development activities, these should be taken within the
context of the organisational objectives, operational areas, and also the
College’s obligations in respect of Equality + Diversity, E,H &S and other
government legislation.
6.3
Those staff engaged in the organisation and design of Learning +
Development activities should ensure that these activities are as
accessible as possible to all staff who are eligible to attend. Consideration
of time, location, duration, level together with development methods
should ensure that groups of staff are NOT implicitly excluded. Staff with
disabilities should be able to gain access and where possible be provided
with suitable technical aids.
6.4
Records of Learning + Development activities provided by the centre are
stored and monitored for equality of opportunity.
7. History of any changes to the policy/procedure
Version
Date
Detail of
Reason
Author
Change/s
1
September
Job title
Learning and
2011
change and to
Development
be put in new
Co-ordinator
format.