Slides for plenary talk on "Strategic Staff Development for the Web-enabled Organisation" given at the IWMW 004 event held at the University of Birmingham on 27-29 July 2004. See http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/web-focus/events/workshops/webmaster-2004/talks/hartland/

1. 1 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Strategic Staff Development
for the Web-enabled
Organisation
Dave Hartland
http://www.netskills.ac.uk/
©Netskills, Quality Internet Training
University of Newcastle
Netskills is a trademark of Netskills, University of Newcastle.

2. 2 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Introduction
Transforming The Organisation
“…how our institutions' working practices and
organisational structures may need to be
transformed in order to make best use of the
Web.”
The Web is changing every aspect of
institutional life
This should include staff development and
training – particularly in relation to the web
and all the processes and system it supports
But is this happening?

3. 3 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
“Every” aspect of institutional life?
External relations/marketing/publicity
Teaching and learning
Research
Management Information Systems
Library services
Department intranets
Student support
Documentation
E-commerce

4. 4 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Do we have a problem?
Does your institution have everything that
is required in place to train and support
the web services providers, the
information providers and the
users/customers?
Straw poll of 15 institutions no-one
answered “yes”.
A few thought they were getting close.

5. 5 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Who needs training?
Almost everyone!
 Technical staff
 Information managers
 Information providers
 Clerical staff
 Administrators
 Teaching staff
 Students
 Senior management

6. 6 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
What skills are required?
Information management
Information literacy
Wide range of technologies:
 Software (operating systems, web server,
databases, CMS systems, networks, etc)
 Accessibility
 Metadata
 Images, multimedia
Design and graphics
Content creation
Etc, etc

7. 7 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Who’s responsible?
Staff development unit
E-learning unit
Information systems
External relations
IT services
Departments and faculties
Senior management
No-one

8. 8 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
What’s happening at the moment?
Adhoc courses and programmes
In house workshops/seminars
External providers
Online courses
Documentation
RTFM
Consultancy style support

9. 9 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Is it important?
The Web is mission critical…
… but what about the training and staff
development?
Staff development programmes can help with:
 Staff retention
 Career development
 Changing technologies and structures
 Integration of systems
 Achieving institutional goals

10. 10 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
 Robustness of service
 Cost savings
 Improved efficiency
 Initiative from knowledgeable staff
Core Web teams are starting to gain
recognition….
…but often better programmes for “Planning
for Retirement” then for maintaining the web
systems and content

11. 11 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Is there advice and help available?
Other institutions
 Case studies
Advice and guidance from national
organisations:
 JISC services
 Professional bodies
 Training and staff development organisations
 Commercial training providers
 UCISA
 UKERNA
 etc

12. 12 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
What will make it happen?
JISC Study on Staff Development Drivers
(Higher Education Consultancy Group)
Establish 6 main types of driver:
 External
 Personal
 Infrastructional
 User/customer
 Role/professional
At least two needed for successful
programme
Sometimes drivers in conflict

13. 13 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
A Strategic Approach
Integrated programme providing appropriate
level of training for appropriate staff at
appropriate time
Clear drivers behind the strategy
Combines:
 Needs analysis/diagnostic testing
 Face-to-face workshops
 Online courses

14. 14 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
 Paper documentation
 Ongoing support
 Accreditation
Services and units working together
Using the technology – possibly learning
environment based courses and support
Special events – staff development/training
days/weeks

15. 15 © Netskills Quality Internet Training, University of Newcastle
Summary
Importance of staff/development and training
needs to be recognised in relation to web
systems
Needs to be a strategic approach with
management support
Bring together groups/units with in institution
National web managers community can help
each other
 Share advice and support
 Produce sample strategies
 Look at the issue of accreditation