Our people are at the core of our success as a research institute. UKCEH Talent Manager Zoe Shorter tells us about some of the exciting initiatives used to support the professional growth of colleagues from across the organisation…
At UKCEH, we believe our people are our greatest strength. We are committed to supporting every colleague to develop their skills, confidence and career, whether they are just starting their journey with us or taking on new responsibilities.
Learning and development is a key element of the UKCEH experience. By embedding it into our culture, we increase the odds of colleagues maximising their potential and that of the organisation as a whole.
Through a wide range of programmes and initiatives, we provide opportunities for professional growth, knowledge sharing and personal development, ensuring our colleagues can thrive and deliver world-leading environmental science.
This year, for example, we are excited to partner with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for the first time to deliver the Ignite coaching programme. This supports organisations like ours that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Climate Action and Wellbeing. This initiative is more than just individual development, it’s about shaping the kind of leadership that supports a thriving, inclusive and values-driven culture at UKCEH.
Alongside Ignite, we offer a range of other programmes to support our UKCEH colleagues:
Leadership and Management Development
- Aspiring Leaders programme: preparing colleagues for senior leadership roles.
- Elevate: our line manager development programme, including a dedicated internal Hub, drop-in induction sessions, and dedicated toolkit sessions for new line managers.
Mentoring and Coaching
- Mentoring scheme: with mentor profiles available to enable colleagues to find support for career progression, research pathways, or personal growth.
- Coaching: targeted sessions to build confidence, improve communication, and navigate career challenges to focus on progression.
Professional and Technical Learning
- Training and workshops: supporting both scientific and professional support colleagues to build technical, project management and communication skills.
- Knowledge-sharing: through seminars, talks, and peer-to-peer learning across science and support functions.
- Further education support: with clear processes in place to manage requests for higher level qualifications, including separate consideration for PhD pathways.
Wellbeing and Inclusive Development
- Wellbeing calendar: monthly themes ranging from Back Care to Men's Health to Climate Anxiety, supported by live sessions, external speakers and internal resources.
- Equality, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: awareness campaigns, support groups and training to ensure an inclusive culture.
At UKCEH, we are proud of the diverse range of opportunities available to help our colleagues learn, grow and succeed. We are continually expanding and improving what we offer, taking on board feedback and ideas to ensure that development at UKCEH remains relevant, inspiring and impactful.
Interested in joining the UKCEH community? Check out our regularly updated jobs board.
Zoe Shorter