Want to build a new skill without changing jobs?
Learning at Work Week (18th – 22nd May) is here, and this year’s theme is ‘many ways of learning’. At the Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Profession, we’re celebrating the variety of routes available for personal and professional growth, from secondments to collaborative learning schemes.
Secondments: A Pathway for Personal Development
Secondments are an impactful way to accelerate your professional growth and broaden your horizons by;
- welcome new perspectives or pursue opportunities elsewhere
- building skills and expand your network in a new environment
- sharing expertise and learning from others
These experiences offer a unique chance to learn, share knowledge, and drive your personal development.
Benefits of Secondments: Outwards and Inwards
Outwards secondments enable staff to gain experience in different sectors, such as academia, industry and even other public sectors while inwards secondments bring fresh skills and knowledge into Government. Both routes support innovation, boost confidence and provide personal development, making them an integral part of our learning culture.
Key Schemes for Secondments:
- DSIT Fellowship
- Royal Society Fellowship
- STEM Futures scheme
STEM Futures scheme
STEM Futures is a flagship initiative that promotes secondments across STEM sectors. Through STEM Futures, Government Partners have taken part in innovative projects, from data analysis with research institutes to policy design with universities.
Sarah’s STEM Futures Story
Time for a change: Navigating a new Position in the National Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT) Office .
Secondment Objectives
- Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) asked (NPL) for expertise when they required support to set up the programmatic functions for the newly formed National Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT) Office.
- The role was agreed collaboratively and focused on developing reporting systems, risk registers, stakeholder mapping, governance and accountability processes for the new office.
Key Learnings and Challenges
- Sarah was exposed to different ways of working during an election period and experienced changes in priorities from a new government, including understanding how a spending review works.
- The secondment was extended to allow Sarah to work on crisis planning, enabled by the flexibility that the STEM Futures Framework Agreement allows.
Sarah’s Reflections and Top Tips
- “Forget imposter syndrome (though that's by nature hard to shake) you have been brought in for your external perspective & expertise- you bring insight of how things can be done differently- make sure you share it.”
- “Lean into the opportunities to connect with people in and outside your team - join coffee roulette, make sure you attend the awayday, do the social things (where you can) then you will feel more a part of the organisation & help you to understand how it really works.”
STEM Futures: Wider Development Opportunities
STEM Futures provides Civil Servants from partnered organisations with a variety of development opportunities across industry, academia, and the public sector, encouraging collaboration and skills growth.
- Technical Hubs: Engage in hands-on collaborative projects with experts
- Learning and Development: Take part in informal knowledge sharing with colleagues and guest speakers
- Site Visits and Shadowing: Observe and learn from colleagues in different roles to develop an understanding of each others work
- Expert Network: Access a wide pool of expert speakers, stakeholder volunteers, and industry professionals for ongoing support and inspiration
Next Steps:
Learning at Work Week is a reminder that development comes in many forms. This week, do one of these to develop yourself;
- Check out the secondment available to you - Career and development opportunities Register for a learning session -Trustworthy AI Workshop - STEM Futures Data and AI Technical Hub
- Join a Profession – Professions Hub
- Learn more about STEM Futures and secondments; Register interest in STEM Futures
