Development
The growing financial pressures facing Scottish colleges has led to a series of changes. This has directly impacted how we operate as a college and in some cases having to make some tough decisions, particularly the decision to undergo significant restructures within Academic Departments and Professional Services. This has resulted in offering a Voluntary Severance Scheme to all staff as part of a range of deficit reduction measures.
These restructures have presented unique challenges for staff recruitment and progression, particularly due to statutory and policy obligations surrounding redeployment. Whilst they are designed to protect our employees, we recognise this may have inadvertently impacted our staff profile and progression opportunities.
Notwithstanding these challenge, New College Lanarkshire (NCL) remains resolute in our commitment to our staff and ensuring they have the right opportunities to succeed. Alongside our ongoing initiatives the following initiatives represent some of the recent measures we have undertaken to promote staff development.
Through our partnership work with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and the launch of The Learning Well, our digital campus, staff have benefited from opportunities to undertake degree or MBA courses. The 2022 Census found that only 23.1% of adults in North Lanarkshire had a degree level qualification - the second lowest of any council area in Scotland and well below the national average. The opportunity to study a degree course will help to address this educational gap, promote development and cultivate a culture where all employees have the chance to grow and succeed both on a personal and professional level.
The Staff Development Academy (SDA) is a team dedicated to supporting staff through their professional journey at NCL. The department oversees training, resources, promotes staff professional growth, skill development and career advancement. It serves as our centralised hub for continuous learning, development and organisational improvement. For example, monthly development workshops are facilitated with Academic Leaders and Professional Services Leaders, ensuring issues relating to equality and diversity are embedded in staff development programmes.
The SDA has recently launched a dedicated space at our Motherwell campus to enhance staff professional learning and development. The space is well equipped and can be customised for different training needs. It will help to encourage our staff to develop new skills, stay engaged and drive long-term success at NCL.
Also led by our Staff Development Academy and integral to delivering our mission to “Bring Education Closer” the college has established Professional Development Discussions (PDD). The PDD process provides members of staff with an opportunity to reflect on their role, discuss achievements, highlights, and challenges. The discussion also allows staff to showcase how they have contributed to NCL’s purpose, mission and values and identify any development needs they may have in line with NCL and their departmental priorities.
Our new Leadership Mentoring Programme will be launched later this year as a pilot and will involve trained mentors working with mentees to provide support and benefits that are well established within mentorship practice. The Executive Board and Deans will receive training in April to ensure they have the right skills and qualities to support their mentee. The second phase of the pilot will work on matching mentors with Academic and Professional Service mentees. The programme will help facilitate learning and sharing of knowledge within the college which will in turn help create opportunities.
The college has established a number of Sub Committees of NCL’s Executive Board. They are comprised of staff from departments across the college and focus on key college governance including staff, learning and teaching, professional services and finance. The Sub Committees have resulted in: creating staff development opportunities, ensuring diverse perspectives are being considered, improved communication, encouraged collaboration and undoubtedly enhanced creativity.