In-House Training: University of Essex

We were looking to address the lack of leadership and equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) training for our Black researchers, particularly around race and ethnicity in higher education. Students had expressed that they were missing a sense of community and wanted more comprehensive, longer training programs. They felt they needed more in-depth training that went beyond just academic knowledge to include leadership development and personal growth.

“We were missing leadership and EDI training, particularly for Black researchers focusing on race and ethnicity in higher education.”

We opted for a bespoke training course tailored specifically to our needs, which was developed in collaboration with In Professional Development. They were incredibly flexible in adapting the course content to meet our objectives. This included masterclasses on leadership and anti-racism, as well as group coaching, which were highly appreciated by the students. The course was also designed to offer tangible outcomes, like the CMI Level 5 certification.

“INPD tailored the training specifically to our needs, offering masterclasses on leadership and anti-racism along with group coaching.”

The training combined academic knowledge with real-life professional expertise, which I think was particularly valuable. It included masterclasses on leadership and anti-racism, followed by group coaching. The trainers were highly relatable, and the students really engaged with both the technical aspects and the soft skills, including self-reflection and confidence-building. The training was designed to be interactive and practical, allowing the students to take away real-world skills.

“INPD tailored the training specifically to our needs, offering masterclasses on leadership and anti-racism along with group coaching.”

INPD was instrumental in providing the tailored support we needed. The team, especially Mike and Fitz, were highly responsive to our requirements and showed flexibility in adapting the program to suit our budget and the specific needs of our students. They offered additional resources without being pushy and even highlighted free opportunities we could take advantage of. Overall, the relationship was collaborative and highly effective, leading to a successful training programme.

“INPD’s flexibility and responsiveness to our needs and budget made them the ideal partner for this project.”

1. Knowledge – students gained a deeper understanding of leadership, EDI, and coaching, alongside technical and soft skills.

2. Confidence – the training helped students develop self-reflection and boost their confidence, which will aid them in their personal and professional development.

3. Certification – students earned a CMI Level 5 certification, which they can proudly add to their CVs, providing them with a tangible achievement from the programme.

“The three main impacts were increased knowledge, boosted confidence, and the opportunity to earn a CMI Level 5 certification.”