Staff development

Staff development is a broad AMU course area that deals with making you better at things that are not just the craft itself: collaborating, communicating, using IT and new digital tools, and thriving at work. These are courses for people who are already in the job market and want to develop — whether you want to take on more responsibility, learn to use new technology or become better at getting a team to function.

§What do you do on the courses?

It depends greatly on which course you choose because the area covers broadly. On an IT or digitalization course you work with programs data and new tools such as how artificial intelligence can be used in industry. On a management or collaboration course you train communication feedback and getting a group to pull in the same direction. Lean courses are about working smarter and cutting waste from workflows while wellness and mentor courses focus on mental health and helping new colleagues get started well. Teaching combines presentations exercises and discussions with concrete examples from your everyday life.

• 01You become better at communicating and working together in teams – a competence that's used in all industries.
• 02You learn to work smarter with methods like Lean and improve work processes.
• 03You get on top of IT and digitalization, including how AI can support work in industry.
• 04You can strengthen well-being and mental health – your own and your colleagues'.
• 05You can prepare yourself to take more responsibility, for example through mentor training or basic management.

§How do you get started?

The courses are offered as AMU courses and typically last from a single day to a few days each. They are especially aimed at people who are already in a job and do not require any specific prior education. Many are sent by their employer, but you can also apply directly to an educational institution offering AMU. It's a good idea to talk to your manager or union representative about which courses make sense for your role — often several courses can be combined into a comprehensive development programme.

§Way forward

Staff development is the way many become ready for the next step without having to start over on a whole new course. If you build on your trade with courses in management, communication or digitalisation, you can move towards the role of team leader, foreman, mentor or team coordinator. For some, it becomes the springboard to a proper management education later. The point is that small, targeted courses over time can move you a good distance in your career.

“It is rarely only the most professionally skilled who move up – it is often the one who is also good at making the team and everyday life work.”