How to apply for professional development
What activities are considered professional development?
Why is it important?
How many professional development activities can I apply to undertake?
Your role in professional development
How to apply for professional development
If you wish to undertake a professional development activity, you need to fill out an Professional development application form.
An advance written notice of five weeks must be given and approval will be required from the immediate manager and a member of the Executive team. Notification of a decision regarding leave will be given in writing within 7-10 days of the request.
What activities are considered professional development?
Your professional development should help you to obtain skills, knowledge and qualifications relevant for performing the core activities of your position. Activities may include:
- internal and external conferences
- accredited programs
- mentoring
- work integrated learning through projects
- professional reading or reflective writing
- conferences attendance or participation
- short courses, seminars or workshops.
Why is it important?
DHSV is committed to professional development because it enables staff to:
- increase their skills and knowledge
- contribute to the achievement of DHSV’s strategic goals
- improve the performance of both themselves and the wider organisation.
How many professional development activities can I apply to undertake?
Depending on the employee’s industrial award, study/conference or seminar leave may be applied for.
Employees engaged on a full-time basis may be entitled to up to five days leave per calendar year (non cumulative) for professional development. The amount of leave will be dependant upon the employee’s award in consultation with and at the discretion of the manager.
Your role in professional development
You are responsible for your own job-related learning. This includes:
- developing personal goals in line with your career aspirations and DHSV priorities
- recording and reflecting on your development
- assisting in developing your colleagues.
Supervisors also have a role in identifying and discussing professional development needs for their staff and helping them plan to address these needs.
Plan your development
Use your performance work plan to drive your planning.
Learning aims should be initially based on the skills and knowledge required to meet the objectives and targets in your performance work plan.
Research a range of professional development activities to make an informed decision about the most suitable activities for you.
The appropriateness of the activity will depend on the available time commitment and unit budget. You should discuss these with your supervisor. Applications for funding and time release are made through your immediate supervisor.
Share your learning
Share your learning with your supervisor and relevant colleagues by:
- running a workshop presentation
- generating a written report (which you may request to have published on The classroom section of the Intranet)
- writing an article
- mentoring and coaching others in your team or across the organisation.
Keep track of your learning
- Record activities in your performance review document
- Write a reflective journal to record ideas and observe personal growth.
- Keep a portfolio of professional development and achievements to provide evidence of your professional history.