Professional Development Studies has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Employer Engagement category of the Times Higher Education (THE) awards.

The shortisting is recognition of the way Professional Development Studies has developed positive partnerships with Essex County Council, Southend Borough Council and Thurrock Council.

The Professional Development Studies team has provided bespoke education programmes for each council to meet the training needs of their social work staff.

Janet Phillips, Professional Development Studies Manager, said: “Professional Development Studies and our partners are absolutely delighted to receive this recognition and to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award. We have all worked together to develop programmes which are original and innovative while really meeting their needs. We have been able to establish real working partnerships which mean our approaches are completely integrated.”

Professional Development Studies is also working with schools to meet their training needs and will launch specialised modules for social care and health professionals across the Eastern Region at the Colchester Campus from this autumn.

Professional Development Studies was established at the Southend Campus in 2009 and since then it has expanded its scope to offer a range of postgraduate and undergraduate programmes, modules, conferences and short courses and from this year a full Masters programme.

Janet Phillips is pictured above with Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Partnerships) Professor Nigel South.