CPD Support Office represented at HR Directors' Business Summit
Staff from the CPD Support and Development Office (CPDSDO) spent two days at the International
Conference Centre in Birmingham to promote the University’s provision. Now in its ninth year,
the HR Directors’ Business Summit brings together senior HR Directors to evaluate current and
future trends and their impact on the HR function and corporate strategies.
The Summit attracts over 600 HR Directors who attend talks and workshops as well as a number
of networking sessions and an exhibition. The CPD Office was keen to increase awareness of
the University’s wide-ranging CPD provision, something which employers do not normally associate
with a top-ranking, research-led institution.
“A number of people were surprised that the University could offer credit- and non-credit
bearing short courses, bespoke training or accreditation of in-house training,” commented Suzanne
Maxwell, Head of CPDSDO. “It seems that there is still a perception that universities are
concerned primarily with full-time undergraduate provision. Hopefully, we are starting to
change this image and show that universities have an important role to play not only in the
preparation of students for employment, but also in the development of individuals throughout their
careers.”
The event has helped the CPD Office to refine its marketing approach and has generated a number of new contacts which it is hoped will lead to future collaborations.
University staff who are interested in developing CPD courses for external professionals or
employers can apply for a grant from the CPD Development Fund.
See the
CPD website for more
information on submitting
a bid to the Fund.
