Online Staff Development Programme

COVID-19
The safety and well being of our members and staff continues to be our highest priority. We are adhering to the UK government and Public Health England advice concerning Covid-19, and continue to deliver support and training to our members online.

ASETStaysOnline
We have an extensive programme of ASET Insights and Staff Development Workshops for 2021. Details of content for each session are listed below – scroll down for ASETInsights.

Staff Development Events Programme for 2021
Book Online 2021

Our programme for Spring 2021 offers a broad range of Workshops and ASET Insights.  Nicola, our Learning and Development Advisor tells more
All events will be delivered via the Zoom platform.
Staff Development Workshops 9:30 – 1:30pm £125 ASET members and £275 non-members.
ASET Insights (scroll down for further details) 10:00-11:30am   £50 ASET members and £100 non-members.

2021 Staff Development Workshops

An Introduction to Work Placement Management (IWPM)
Thursday 28th January (9.30-1.30)       Online
This introductory session on the broad topic of work placement management will provide guidance for the support of work placements by practitioners. Participants will be furnished with a basis from which they can develop their own plans and manage the day-to-day problems likely to be faced in their jobs. This is aimed at work placement managers, officers, administrators and academic placement tutors, particularly those with little experience, who are new to their role, about to be appointed, or those simply wanting a refresher course. This session is designed to introduce all the fundamental aspects of working in the placements field. The workshop is intended to be flexible and responsive to participants’ needs and interests and therefore emphasis may vary between topics. As well as creating opportunities for discussion and dialogue, workshop facilitators will also support mechanisms for online networking amongst delegates.ASET Insights
A companion offer for our staff development workshops,
Widening Participation and Placements(WPP)
Wednesday 2nd February (9.30-1.30)       Online
Discussions surrounding widening participation and the social mobility of our students are perennially on the agenda, nationally, in the HE sector. For those of us on the ground, what can we do, practically, to increase the take up of placements by students from a range of disadvantaged backgrounds? How can we reach out to and better engage students with employability in a difficult economic climate and to support the development of their social capital? Furthermore, what suggestions can we share to engage employers in order to further these broad aims? In an interactive session of participation and dialogue, our course leaders will facilitate discussions on ways to support the employability of disadvantaged student groups and ways to potentially overcome challenges and barriers to participation in placements. Delegates will have the opportunity to network online, and to build their own tool-kit of practical ideas and top tips to take away from the workshop.
Virtual Placements(VP)
Tuesday 23rd February (9.30-1.30)       Online                  NEW
Virtual placements have been given an unexpected boost due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This mode of placement (project-based, working virtually, sometimes via a 3rd party provider) has been in existence for some time, but has not been widely “tried and tested” across the HE sector. What are the key considerations to factor into our thinking when looking at virtual placements as a viable option for our students? What works? What doesn’t? What are the benefits of this style of placement? Could they become a long-term feature for your work-based and placement learning programmes? And what have we learnt from remote working which can be beneficial when thinking about virtual placements? Practical ideas will be conveyed and discussed for the setting up of virtual placements, top tips shared, as well as thoughts on how you might handle the fostering of buy-in from various stakeholder groups. Our experienced workshop facilitators will encourage the sharing of insights from your institutions, as well as good practice examples of support for placement students who opt for (or who are required to take) a virtual placement. Delegates can expect a participative workshop with plentiful opportunities to connect with others taking part, and ideas to take away.
Employer Engagement(EE)
Tuesday 9th March (9.30-1.30)       Online
Employers, providers, placement hosts – call them what you like, we need them more than ever before, in this challenging economic environment. They’re vital to our placement offerings and yet can pose a number of challenges for Higher Education providers and placement professionals. How can we reach out, successfully, to those organisations we aspire for our students to work at? What can we do to engage employers with our work based learning programmes and aims? What is feasible when building and strengthening relationships? What do employers expect from us (and, can we deliver?) This staff development workshop will focus on sharing ideas and tips for bringing about more supportive relationships with placement employers. In a participatory style, our trainers will facilitate discussions on good practice and thriving initiatives.
Enhancing Engagement in Student Sessions(EESS)
Thursday 25th March (9.30-1.30)       Online
Do your online and face to face student preparation sessions need a fresh injection of ideas or energy? Are you keen to increase student engagement within your placement workshops? Would you benefit from hearing about innovative ideas to liven up your delivery and generate more interaction in sessions? ASET’s experienced workshop facilitators will help you enhance and increase student engagement in your workshops, seminars and preparation sessions, sharing a range of top tips, practices, and tools. From high-tech to no-tech, online or face to face delivery, working with small groups or large groups, in restricted or flexible spaces, the session will equip you with ideas for all these scenarios. The workshop will be, naturally, participative in style and we will encourage you to share your ideas with others too. You can expect to take away a rich array of ideas to use in your day to day practices at work.
Resilience and Placements(RAP)
Tuesday 13th April (9.30-1.30)       Online
In this practical and participatory session, the salient topic of resilience will be explored by our facilitators in the context of placements and work-based learning – and a world where the future of work is both changing and challenging. How does resilience (or a lack of it) manifest itself?  What can placement practitioners do to support the building of student resilience whilst they navigate the choppy waters of recruitment and selection?  What techniques can be put to use to strengthen resilience whilst students embark upon the start of their professional working lives on placement, in these difficult times?  How can we reflect upon our own capacity for resilience and how can we utilise this to inform our work in HE?  Drawing upon a range of perspectives which include growth mind-set theories, mental health and wellbeing support, ideas and tips will be shared and discussed to enable delegates to create a tool kit of suggestions and approaches to take back to their day-to-day roles.
Supporting International Students with Placements(SISP)
Thursday 29th April (9.30-1.30)       Online
International student participation in placements is high on the agenda at many UK Higher Education Institutions. For some international students, studying in the UK is a highly desirable means to support their future employability prospects. International students’ participation in placement remains low in some areas, with students citing obstacles – both perceived and real – to successfully securing a placement. International students’ support requirements can differ from UK domiciled students, and can be greater. This workshop, facilitated by experienced placement/careers professionals, will examine strategies to help prepare international students in securing placements, as well as ways to support them whilst on placement. It will also look at the advice and guidance that can be provided for employers to persuade them of the value of offering placements to international students, as well as aspects of the legal framework e.g. Visas, too. The day will be interactive, including networking opportunities with other delegates and workshop facilitators. You will be encouraged to share experiences and examples of good practice from your institution.
Risk Assessment and Due Diligence(RADD)
Wednesday 12th May (9.30-1.30)       Online
Having an involvement in/being responsible for the process of risk assessing placements can feel daunting. The majority of placement practitioners are unlikely to be experts in the field of health and safety.
• Are you confident in your risk assessment processes before placement?
• Do you know what you should be doing in terms of due diligence around decision making for approving placements?
• Do you know what insurances are required for placements in the UK? Overseas?
• Do you realise the extent of the university’s legal liability for all of this?
This workshop focusses on establishing manageable, proportionate and appropriate risk assessment and due diligence processes for placement provision. Here, we draw upon the ASET Good Practice Guide for Health and Safety for Student Placements, as well as the QAA Quality Code. It is aimed at university staff who work with student placements/work based learning, whether new to the position or experienced and wanting a refresher/update, academic or administrative. Our experienced workshop facilitators will both share knowledge, as well as creating opportunities to encourage participation.
From Placements to Employability(FPTE)
Thursday 27th May (9.30-1.30)       Online
Perhaps you have expertise in supporting placement students but are now being asked to become involved in curriculum design and development more broadly associated with employability? Or you have experience in your subject-based curriculum but are new to placements and employability? Do you know what you might do differently if you were assessing a first-year undergraduate placement compared to a Masters level placement? Single interventions, like the sandwich placement, are no longer sufficient in terms of determining employment success on graduation – we must consider the whole student experience. We will contrast employability in the curriculum with employability through the curriculum i.e. how broader teaching, learning and assessment strategies throughout a programme can impact employability. The intended outcome of the session is to enable you to use your experience and expertise from placement activities to work with your colleagues in your own institutions to appropriately embed placement and other employability related activities in the curriculum. Workshop facilitators will help encourage the sharing of good practice amongst delegates and will help to equip you with ideas and top tips to utilise in your roles.
Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, Enterprise – Placements(FEEP)
Tuesday 8th June  (9.30-1.30)       Online                            NEW
Do you have students who are expressing their interest in setting up and running their own businesses for their placements? Maybe they are already freelancing/working as a sole trader outside of University and alongside their studies, and want to expand upon this for their placement – if this isn’t currently an option which you have open to them, what might you need to do next? This may be something you haven’t previously considered or were cautious about and are now keen to explore this route more thoroughly as the wider employment and economic landscape changes. This interactive workshop will highlight some of the key points to be taken into account when approving these types of placements, as well as looking at what University support could be provided for placement student entrepreneurs to foster success. Our facilitators will encourage discussion and dialogue, networking, as well as the exchange of ideas and good practice.
Placements for Postgraduates(PGrad)
Thursday 24th June  (9.30-1.30)       Online
Placements are traditionally rooted at undergraduate level, however, placements and internships are now more widely available and increasingly embedded in the employability agendas and strategies of HE providers. This one-day, interactive workshop, will look at ways to engage those audiences – postgraduates (and to an extent PhD students too) – as well as prospective employers. Challenges around this agenda will be explored too, and good practices and success stories shared, including practical tools to be taken away. Our facilitators will create opportunities for discussion, for networking and for the sharing of good practice from all delegates’ institutions.
Student Wellbeing and Placements(SWP)
Wednesday 7th July (9.30-1.30)       Online                                NEW
The wellbeing of the workforce should be an essential thread running through organisations’ HR strategies. With the wellbeing of our students rising in importance during the Covid-19 pandemic, organisations, including our own Higher Education institutions, have given focus/renewed focus to student wellbeing. The challenging set of circumstances created have included working remotely, needing to switch to a virtual placement, a changing job market, feelings of isolation and overall uncertainty about what the future of work might look like. In this workshop, our experienced facilitators will explore wellbeing in the context of work-based learning and placements. The challenges your students may be faced with, as well as approaches to how to tackle these issues, practically, will be delved into and delegates can expect to learn top tips and have practical ideas to take away with them to aid their student support mechanisms. Participative in style, delegates will be invited to take part in online discussions in the workshop. The sharing of experiences and insights will be encouraged amongst those taking part. The workshop content does not represent regulatory advice or guidance – the focus is on sharing ideas and responses, and signposting to further information.

ASET Insights are 90-minute interactive sessions looking at broader, complementary professional development themes, led by our experienced Trustees.  Designed to provide short, impactful updates to your professional toolkit, ASET Insight themes are selected to enhance your confidence in practical skills that contribute to work success.

These 90-minute sessions are available for booking now.  £50 ASET members and £100 non-members.

Book Online 2021

Session A – HEA Fellowship
Applying for and moving through the process from HEA Associate to Fellow and beyond can be a daunting task. Sometimes we’re not very good at blowing our own trumpet which can cause a problem when we’re making applications. In this 90 min session we will explore where you would like to get to, and share our own journeys from Associate to Senior Fellowship. We will discuss the differences between each of the awards and their value as we progress in our Higher Education roles.

Session B – Preparing for Placements in the Third Sector
This ASET Insights session is aimed at practitioners who are supporting students into charities, NGOs, voluntary organisations, and the criminal justice sector. Some of the themes which will be covered are; definitions and why they matter, “thinking beyond the University”, preparing students for the risks, and raising the profile of this work in your institution.

Session C – Virtual Placement Visits
This ASET Insights session is aimed at practitioners adopting new and effective practice in placements. We will compare and contrast existing and emerging digital practices to ensure the activity remains fit for purpose. Taking into account and making clear the advantages for all parties involved, this session will give participants renewed and industry-relevant approaches to maintaining strong partnerships.

Session D – Effective Teamworking
Whether designated by organisational structure, project work, or the less formal links tying together those who want to achieve change, we all benefit from being part of a supportive, connected and positive team. This session looks at what makes effective teams work and shares #ASETTopTips on the behaviours and practices that any team member can employ to encourage productive and positive teamwork.

Session E – Bridging the academic/administrative divide
This ASET Insight session is aimed towards those within an administrative or academic role, who would like to gain a better understanding of the pressures of the other role. The session aims to explore the perspectives of both roles, what works well and not so well, and will present ideas to bridge the divide between the priorities around placement support for each approach.

Session F – Beyond Placements – skills development
In this ASET Insights event, Trustees Vianna Renaud and Andy Dodge will share useful examples on how to support students to map their skills – both their personal skills and the professional skills developed whilst on placement. Through assisting students to identify and articulate their experiences and desired future, attendees will learn techniques to help facilitate coaching / mentoring conversations, and help students to make the best use of their time on placement.

General Information

• • Workshops run from 9.30am-1.30pm, ASET Insights from 10 – 11.30am

• • The delegate rates for workshops are £125 for each attendee from ASET member institutions, and £275 for those from non-member institutions. All rates are inclusive of VAT. Fees include all materials.
  • The delegate rates for ASET Insights are £50 for each attendee from ASET member institutions, and £100 for those from non-member institutions. All rates are inclusive of VAT. Fees include all materials.

• • Once your booking has been received, you will receive email confirmation of your reservation and will be required to complete and return a pre-course assessment form

• • Payment is due before the event. There are no refunds for cancellation, although substitutions will be accepted. Please see Terms and Conditions stated on booking form

• If you have a disability that means that you would get more from our events if we make some adjustments, please let us know how we can help

Bespoke Workshops  

• Have you recently restructured, centralised or decentralised your Placements Team?
• Do you have a specific training need you would like to address?
• Are you just too far away from ASET training venues ?

A bespoke training session can address all these issues and more. We are delighted to be able to offer Online Bespoke training for this academic year. Please contact the ASET Office to discuss your requirements either from the list of workshops below, or tailored to your needs. Sessions will be bookable according to availability on weekdays from 9.30 am – 1.30pm.

Some of the core topics we can offer include:

• An Introduction to Work Placement Management
• ASET and QAA Codes of Practice for Work-Based and Placement Learning
• Marketing for Placements
• Equal Opportunities for Work Placements
• Health and Safety for Work Placements
• IT Systems to Manage Placements
• Working with International Students
• International Placements
• Assessment and Accreditation of Placement Learning
• Disability, the DDA and Work Placements
• Foundation Degrees and Work-Based Learning
• Innovation in Placement Assessment
• Wikis, Blogs and Podcasts (New Placement Technologies)
• Reflective and Experiential Learning

Please feel free to suggest any other relevant areas for staff development training you would like.

Costs
ASET member institutions
Fees for online bespoke sessions are fixed at a daily rate of £100 per delegate (with a minimum fee of £1000 per day).

Non-member institutions
Fees for online bespoke sessions are set at a daily rate of £200 per delegate (with a minimum fee of £2000 per day).

If you would like to talk about ideas for a bespoke workshop to suit a specific requirement at your institution, contact Debbie at the ASET Office [email protected] .