Keyskills

Professional development and training

Keyskills is the professional development offering for FDA Keystone members. As an FDA Keystone member, you will have access to the full FDA Learn professional development programme as well as training specifically designed to help HEOs and SEOs across the civil service.

Through our specialised masterclasses, conferences and events, Keyskills addresses a wide range of skills to help you progress in your career and maximise your potential.

Webinars

Following the social distancing restrictions in place due to coronavirus (COVID-19), we have postponed our face-to-face courses and replaced them with webinars.

All of our webinars are free to attend for FDA Keystone members. If you register to attend the webinar and find you cannot attend at the time, you can still view the webinar after the event. All registered delegates are sent a link to view the slides and video after each webinar.

Members can find the details of upcoming webinars and sign up here.

Webinars are available to non members for £25 per person. Please email FDALearn@fda.org.uk to book your space.

"I had the chance to go on courses to look at the competence based application process – from how to write a good story to how to present it coherently and with best effect. Well, something worked, and I managed my promotion. I don’t think it’s just the one skill or bit of learning that does the trick, but having the support of a wider learning agenda that I was allowed to dip into to tackle those areas where my confidence as well as my skills needed a little polish."

- Suzanne Wallace, FDA Keystone member

Professional Development Champions

The role of Professional Development Champions (PDCs) is to inform and support members in developing and achieving their goals as well as signpost opportunities and providers.

PDCs are supported by learning agreements with employers and have the right to time off to carry out their duties and receive training.

To become a PDC, or to find out more about FDA Learn, email Neil Rider via neil@fda.org.uk

Into Leadership

Together with Dods, the FDA hosts conferences to help underrepresented groups progress in their careers within the public sector. The Women into Leadership (WiL) and BAME into Leadership (BAMEiL) conferences take place every year across the UK, and feature speakers, discussions and breakout sessions, all offering practical advice.

FDA Keystone members receive a significant discount for places at these events, details of which can be found on the WiL and BAMEiL websites.

Higher education offers

The FDA offers discounts to its members on a number of Higher Education courses. This includes 10% off all accredited courses at Birkbeck, the MSc in Public Administration at Leeds, and a number of courses available through the University of London. You can find further information on the discounts available here, or drop a line to neil@fda.org.uk.