Your future in POD can be as exciting as you want it to be and learning and development is key to the success and evolution of both POD and Cancer Research UK. We believe that given the right circumstances and climate you can deliver amazing results. We also believe that you ‘own’ your development and we can provide you with the opportunities to shape this. Traditionally, learning equalled attending a formal training course. While this is one solution there are many others; often costing less and producing more effective results.
So what’s available to you? We encourage your personal and professional development and there are all sorts of learning methods available, whether it involves being coached by someone more experienced than you, participation in project work, self-study, assignments, secondments, workshops, or a whole lot more.
Structured Training
Here at Cancer Research UK we have a wide range of programmes available to you to help you with your personal development. We like to think you have the freedom to select what’s most appropriate, with the support of your line manager. It could be that Influencing and Persuading is high on your list of priorities – that’s a course that’s available. Alternatively it might be Speaking and Presenting with Confidence that’s needed in which case you’d spend two days getting some practice and receiving feedback and coaching. These are just two examples of a wide-ranging learning and development portfolio.
In addition to all of these courses, we also have a Learning Resource Centre equipped with books, DVDs and other learning resources, all at your disposal.
Management Foundation Programme
This is a practical programme for those who are new to management or who would like a refresher course. You’ll learn about motivation, learning styles and how to identify learning and development needs as well as get to work on real-life issues and acquire practical skills you can apply to your day-to-day management.
Aspire
If you’ve got management experience but want to go further, Aspire is the programme for you.* Over a 6 week period you’ll collect feedback, review it and devise goals ready for Workout. This is where everyone on the programme discusses an actual organisation issue and receives feedback on their progress and goals.
*Managers within our Fundraising & Supporter Marketing directorate have an equivalent programme tailored to their area called Catalyst.
Senior Leadership Development Programme (SLDP)
This programme is for people who are already in leadership positions and likely to be shaping Cancer Research UK and driving our success. Over six months, you’ll attend a variety of modules and skills masterclasses, completing preparatory exercises in between. It’s primarily a chance for discussion and exploration in the company of people from across the different directorates.