The toolkit is free to HR Professionals in the higher education (HE) sector. Research carried out by Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University found despite huge financial injections of resources into training and development in HE in recent years, there was little evidence of the actual benefits or return on investment (ROI) gained across the sector. Designed to provide a variety of tools and support materials for universities to support staff to evaluate the ROI on training and identify ways to drive better value - the toolkit responds to ongoing business needs and changing demands in the HE sector
Sharon Mavin, dean of Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University and a professor of organisation and HR management, said:
"Universities invest a significant amount of money in staff learning and development yet often have very little data on the impact of the investment and the benefits gained. In the current economic climate, where universities may consider reductions in spend on training, it is vital to understand and evidence the return on investment.
The toolkit is designed to enable universities to target resources in the most appropriate areas, therefore reaping the largest rewards." Specifically designed for universities, the toolkit has been developed in such a way that it can be customised to address specific needs to align with the University's learning and development goals and overall strategies.
To ensure the process is manageable, clear guidance on the tools is offered across the implementation, assessment and evaluation stages. A starting point is to utilise the introductory tools to benchmark existing practices and identify where gaps need to be filled. Once relevant tools have been identified they can be quickly adapted to align with the University's specific requirements to ensure that maximised benefit is gained.
The toolkit will:
- Encourage colleagues to better understand the importance of evaluation
- Improve processes for identify learning needs
- Implement new ways for HR to manage, record and support the evaluation process
- Adapt tools to measure knowledge and skills before and after learning
