Thresholds career development programmes

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CROSSING THRESHOLDS

1 year supported mentoring programme

The Crossing Thresholds programme pairs people with mentors in more senior grades who support, inform and challenge them. These partnerships are undergirded with career coaching, group modules, peer feedback and targeted learning events.

Evaluations of past programmes have shown that typically 40-70% of Crossing Thresholds participants get promoted within a year of completing the programme.

There are five cross-department programmes underway, with women from 12 different government departments. The next programme for women at Grades 6 & 7 starts on 30th November. Places cost £1,900 + VAT. Please click here to view the flyer, and here to view additional information about the programme. The application form can be downloaded here.

We are also running a customised programme for women based overseas from 14th September 2010 (eligible grades are EO to Grade 6).

THRESHOLD PROGRAMME FOR LEADERS

6 month career development programme

TPFL is a cross-department programme for female Deputy Directors (Grade 5) aspiring to Director level and above. Participating departments include CPS, Cabinet Office, Defra, DFID, Department of Health, DfT, FCO, Home Office, MoJ, MoD, HM Treasury and others.

The programme comprises six days over six months, covering:
• Career goalsetting and action planning
• Developing an authentic personal style of leadership
• Presentation and interview skills
• Raising your profile
• Understanding the wider government agenda.

The 4th programme starts on 8th September 2010. Places cost £3,800 +VAT. Groups are limited to 8 people to maximise individual attention. Please download a flyer here and an enrolment form here.

Contact us for more information.

COMMUNICATE WITH IMPACT

2 day programme (non-residential)

This course enables people to develop the skills and behaviours needed to:
• Project credibility and authority
• Convey your attributes in interviews
• Develop an authentic personal style
• Deliver with confidence and clarity

Groups are very small (a maximum of eight) to optimise individual attention. This programme is also run as an individual coaching programme.

The next course takes place on 16/17 September 2010 in central London. Places cost £650 + VAT. Please click here to view the flyer and here to download an enrolment form.

GIVING DIFFICULT FEEDBACK

Empowering tools for all line managers

Our new half-day workshop, 'Giving Difficult Feedback', shows people how to give factual and objective feedback to bosses, peers and direct reports, in a way that results in improved relationships and increased motivation.

Please contact us for more information about in-house or open workshops.

SUCCEEDING AT INTERVIEWS

Demonstrating your fitness for the role you aspire to

This 1.5 day workshop gives people an opportunity to think through the role they aspire to, and develop confidence in demonstrating their fitness for it. It can include:

• Creating a CV or completing an application for maximum impact
• Viewing your interview style on screen
• Clarifying and rehearsing your attributes
• How to differentiate your offering
• Effective use of examples
• Practice in front of a simulated interview panel

Please contact us for more information.

PRESENTING WITH CREDIBILITY

How to convey information with authenticity and impact

The aim of this one-day workshop is to increase people’s self-awareness, confidence and competence in formal and informal presentations. It includes:

• Seeing yourself on screen
• Getting feedback on your strengths and weaknesses
• Practising and developing new skills
• How to create structured and memorable presentations
• Using your body and voice to enhance your communication

THRESHOLD WORKSHOP

1 day career planning workshop for up to 16 people

The Threshold Workshop is a powerful one-day event that helps people to think outside the box about what they want in their career and how they can achieve it.

These acclaimed workshops have been attended by more than 1000 people at all grades from 50 public sector organisations, and run in-house for 12 government departments.

This workshop is highly cost-effective at £156 per person.

TEAM-BASED FLEXIBLE WORKING

Thresholds have developed an innovative way of working with teams and organisations to optimise performance while accommodating individual preferred working patterns. The whole team collaborates to devise new ways of working, communicating and ensuring the necessary cover.

The workshop covers:
• The team’s vision for its role and outcomes
• The benefits and challenges of working flexibly
• Looking at individual preferred working patterns
• Making it work as a team
• Creating a team plan including ongoing monitoring and evaluation

Having run over a dozen of these workshops we recommend devoting a full day to it, however we can tailor it to a shorter time if required.

Contact us to discuss your requirements

INDIVIDUAL COACHING

Developing individual potential

Coaching is an excellent way to develop an individual's potential. Threshold coaching has one purpose: to support individuals to achieve their career goals. This often involves identifying perceived barriers and looking beyond symptomatic issues to underlying causes. Within a context of collaboration, skilful questioning and objectivity, clients are able to gain significant insights and make fundamental choices and changes.

We have four qualified coaches on our team.

Prices start at £250 for a single session or £800 for a series of four.

Contact us for more information and prices

BARRIERS TO CAREER PROGRESSION

Identifying and addressing cultural and structural blocks

We have worked with several government departments to clearly identify and address barriers to career progression faced by diverse groups of staff, notably MoD, Department of health and DFID. What works particularly well is the way we tap into staff members’ experience and insights to develop viable proposals for going forward.

Contact us to discuss your situation and needs

Crossing Thresholds has been very successful in achieving significant increases in the number of women advancing their careers at DFID.

Minouche Shafik, Permanent Secretary, DFID

In a recent client survey, 100% of respondents said they would recommend Thresholds to others

[It was] really helpful to have one on one time to flesh out what I wanted. It's the first time I've ever had any guidance from someone who has no vested interest in my decision and the probing and questioning was essential to help me remember and refresh what it is I actually want in my career. (Crossing Thresholds course)

Harjit Athwal, Head of European Criminal Justice and Rights, Ministry of Justice

The philosophy of simple tools (e.g. structure, clear language, joining the dots) to unlock natural ability to communicate was very effective - probably more than a technique-heavy approach of voice coaching etc. [Communicate With Impact]

Jennifer Cole, Team Leader, Counter Terrorism Department, FCO

The [TPFL] course has given me invaluable insights into being an effective leader in public service.

Helen Judge, Director of Criminal Law, Sentencing and Youth Justice Policy, Ministry of Justice

The [Threshold Programme for Leaders] makes a real connection with what our jobs are about. It’s not about gloss or theory, but what I’m trying to achieve and ways to be more effective in doing that.

Carys Evans, Deputy Director, Welsh Assembly Government

[The Threshold Workshop] is one of the most useful courses I have ever done, as it helped me to focus on what I wanted from my career and built my capabilities.

Rob Wilkinson, Tufts University

Being part of the TPFL programme has been a fantastic experience. I developed a much better understanding of what is important to me in my working life, what I want to achieve and how best I might do that.

Emma Boggis, Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Spain

The whole [Communicate With Impact] course was jam-packed with useful activities and information. Not a moment was wasted or an activity not useful. Best training I have ever been on (and I've done a few!).

Rebecca Calder, Senior Social Development Advisor, DFID

Excellent people, good value for money, flexible and adaptable, and great at engaging staff. Their positive approach and energy is infectious and very welcome.

Nick Carter, Deputy Chief Executive, Driving Standards Agency

The career development workshop that Thresholds ran for our staff received the most positive feedback that we have ever had for a development course.

Colin Adams, Department for Children Schools and Families

I was a bit sceptical about what could be achieved in a relatively short time. In reality, I have found [Communicate With Impact] a truly useful, genuinely developmental experience.