Spending precious time and money on an outside workshop can sometimes feel like an activity we can’t afford. At the same time, we realize the value of human capital, not only the impact on the work we do, but also the strategic impact of our ability to retain and develop that talent. We will share examples and facilitate group sharing during the workshop on how to provide high-quality and tailored professional development for employees that maximize organizational resources. From using in-house trainings as a growth opportunity for high potentials, to thinking creatively about how to pull in outside opportunities like site visits to similar organizations, or contracting with specialized trainers, we will discuss the strengths and challenges of the various options.

1. Different Approaches to Providing
Professional Development
NPEA Conference
April 19, 2012

2. Agenda
 Introductions
 The Challenges
 Different Models
 Your Own Successes
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Benjamin Franklin

3. Introductions
 Yully Cha
Executive VP of Programs, The Steppingstone Foundation, Boston, MA
 Gordon Gottlieb
HR Consultant, TDC, Boston, MA
 Scott Knox
COO, Edward Brooke Charter School, Roslindale, MA
 Jessica Banks
National Training Specialist, BELL, Dorchester, MA
 Eddie Mensah
Program Director, Steppingstone Scholars Inc, Philadelphia, PA

4. Defining Our Terms
Professional Development (PD)
 Skills and/or knowledge needed for personal
growth and career enhancement
 Figuring out 1) what you want to be when you
grow up, and 2) how to get there

5. Examples of PD
 Continuing education
 Observation
 Paired/small group learning
 Professional associations
 Research
 Skill-building
 Training

6. The Challenges of PD
 Defining PD broadly
 Limits on human, financial resources
 Linking PD to organizational goals,
individual workplans
 PD for new staff, veteran staff
 Operationalizing, evaluating PD

7. Different Models of PD: Panel
1. Consultancy Protocol: Scott
2. Customized in-house trainings: Yully
3. Blended learning with online features: Jess
4. Matching with an external partner: Eddie

8. Consultancy Protocol

9. Blended Learning Model

10. Collaborating with corporate world

11. Your Own PD Successes
 Break out into groups
 Discuss one example of successful PD
 Discuss how you measured success
 Identify aspects to be replicated elsewhere
 Identify 2-3 best practices to share with
others
10 minutes

12. THANK YOU!
“Stay hungry, stay foolish.”
Steve Jobs