Transferable Skills Development

Please read the RCUK statement outlining the way in which the Research Councils expect research organisations to take forward the agenda stimulated by the recommendation of the Roberts Review - Sustainability of the Researcher Development Agenda (PDF - link opens in a new window).

The Roberts Agenda

The 2002 SET for Success review by Sir Gareth Roberts of the supply of science and engineering skills in the UK recommended that postgraduate research students should have at least two weeks of formal training in transferable skills each year. The intention is that these skills will add to future employability as well as helping students in the course of their PhDs. The implementation of this recommendation is supported through funding from the UK Research Councils to universities and the national Vitae programme. The skills covered by this funding fall under five of the seven categories set out in the Joint Skills Statement issued by the Research Councils in 2001:

1. C Research management
2. D personal effectiveness
3. E Communication skills
4. F Networking and teamworking
5. G Career management

Research-specific skills are not covered as these should form an integral part of the PhD. The route for delivering the training is left to individual universities but it occurs typically through a mixture of training events, courses and workshops at university, faculty, school or departmental level.

STFC encourages the students it funds to take up these training opportunities as they will help students to manage their research project and better communicate their findings as well as improving future employability, whether in academia, the private sector or elsewhere.

GRADschools and Vitae

GRADschools are a popular activity that help students to reflect upon and develop skills. These courses encourage students to consider how they can apply their skills now and in the future and aim to help them to make more informed choices about the next step of their career.

Many universities run their own GRADschools but there is also a small programme of national courses run by Vitae. Vitae is a national organisation which supports the career development of PhD students and research staff and is funded by the Research Councils.

You can find more information about GRADschools online (link opens in a new window) or through your institution's postgraduate development programme.

Vitae also offers a range of information and resources for postgraduate researchers, research staff, policy-makers and staff supporting the development of researchers, including:

1. Planning your doctorate: (link opens in a new window) schedule for success tool to help map out objectives, activities and deadlines.
   
   
2. Information and advice for students (link opens in a new window) from managing themselves and their research to marketing themselves to potential employers
   
   
3. Events (link opens in a new window) including Careers in Focus events and GRADschools
   
   
4. Information on different career choices (link opens in a new window) in higher education, business, industry and other sectors, in the UK and abroad and how to get to the job you want
   
   
5. GRADBritain (link opens in a new window) a free online magazine written by and for postgraduate researchers
   
   
6. PGR tips (link opens in a new window) a monthly e-bulletin containing tips and advice
   
   
7. Resources for supervisors and managers (link opens in a new window) and research staff (link opens in a new window)