Learning and Development
The Learning and Development unit (L&D) in the Human Resources (HR) department implements capacity development programmes for HSRC staff, manages a Research Internship Programme that provides employment opportunities for registered higher degree students, and funds most training in the organisation as well as local and international conference travel.
Staff Development
Staff Development Training is based on an approved business plan that encompasses training needs as per a Workplace Skills Plan (WSP). All researchers and support staff are given opportunities to enrol for training programmes related to key aspects of their work. Training needs are linked to the performance management system – where staff members identify, in conjunction with their line managers, their annual training needs on the basis of their performance over the past year. Training is also arranged in response to specific needs that arise over the course of the year.
Researcher Internship Programme
The HSRC manages a Research Internship Programme in which Masters and PhD students are appointed, against vacancies advertised on the HSRC website jobs page, as staff members who spend 40% of their time on their higher degree studies and the balance on HSRC projects.
L&D co-ordinates the Research Internship Programme, which includes training and mentoring of research interns. Research programmes appoint and house interns, who enter into mentorship agreements with mentors appointed to supervise them. Quarterly reports on intern progress are submitted by research programmes to ensure that the mentoring of interns is aligned with the mentorship agreement.
Funding of training and conference travel
L&D is allocated an annual budget for the funding of training which is disbursed in response to requests for training supported by research programme Executive Directors and by support unit Directors. Training programme funding limits apply. Similarly, L&D provides funding for local and international conference travel (funding limits apply), subject to a paper being read at the conference and also to the endorsement of the programme / unit manager.
Contact: Marione Erasmus
Tel: +27 (0)12 302 2541
E-mail: merasmus@hsrc.ac.za