The Council published a short Notice (Reporter, 2005-06, p. 701) in response to the remarks made at the Discussion of this Report on 30 May 2006 (Reporter, 2005-06, p. 709) and submitted a Grace to the Regent House (Grace 4 of 7 June 2006) for the approval of the recommendations in the Report. They referred the remarks made by Mr D. J. Goode to the Personnel Committee and, with the concurrence of the General Board, have agreed to comment as follows:
Mr Goode commented on the absence of a formal promotions process for academic-related and contract research staff equivalent to that provided for academic staff. Further, he stated that there are no career progression paths for such staff and concluded that such career progression as there is for these staff is in the gift of their Chair of Faculty Board, Head of Department, or Head of institution.
As indicated in the Second Joint Report of the Council and the General Board on a new pay and grading structure for non-clinical staff (Reporter, 2004-05, p. 745), existing procedures for academic-related, contract research staff, and assistant staff continue to be the way promotion is dealt with for these groups of staff (see paragraphs 5.7 and 5.8 of the Report).
The Council and the General Board do not accept that academic-related members of staff are in 'dead-end jobs' as asserted by Mr Goode and endorse the value of clearly defined career paths for staff. In this respect the production of PD33s should help individuals to know exactly what is expected of them in their current role, and what would be expected of them in any role to which they may aspire. Combined with positive use of the staff development and review system, personal career plans can readily be developed.
Within the context of the introduction of the new pay and grading arrangements, discussions are taking place with representatives from the Trade Unions, including the Universities and Colleges Union, regarding career development for all staff and these have a particular focus on the identification of career pathways.