We have just heard that we have been successful with our latest bid (£220K) to HEFCE, which will allow us to further develop the work commenced in the current project, as well as consolidating the relationship between HEaTED and the IST. The three year project will commence in September with the main thrust and priority being to establish an extensive technical/specialist skills development programme. This programme will be based on needs already indicated in the HEaTED survey of 2006 as well as future requirements which will be identified by the Technical and Staff Development communities.
Alongside this key component of the new project, work will continue on a number of important fronts including:
- Further development and promotion of the CPD award
- Continued development of the VLE, including inputs from the various HE discipline groups
- A review of the HEaTED questionnaire and a second survey early in 2009
- The organisation of a second conference in 2009/10 to update the Technical /Specialist and Staff Development communities on the projects progress and to seek their views
It is expected that the above areas of work will generate/identify other issues that will require our attention, as we work towards a self-sustaining organisation that will identify, administer and meet the needs of technical/specialist staff in HE. The project will be overseen by a steering group who will be appointed once we have an Executive Director in post. I have been requested by the current project manager, Matt Levi, to undertake the recruitment process and to that end, criteria will be drawn up over the next few weeks for the post of Executive Director and Skills Development Officer, which will both be widely advertised vie appropriate mailbases and web sites. These two posts will initially be part-time positions and could be secondments from within the sector.
This new funding really does mean that we will be able to make considerable progress over the coming months in the priority areas already identified by the technical staff community and we will, of course, continue to keep you informed as the project progresses. In the meantime, we trust that we can rely on your continued support and particularly your assistance, if required.
Bob Hardwick (Project Consultant)
|
