Does everyone need to complete the training?

Yes. All colleagues must complete each module, even if you have completed the training previously. For colleagues who joined the University after 1 August 2024, their completion records will be updated pre-launch to reflect any previously completed courses, provided there is a record of completion.

How can I access the training?

All courses can be accessed from Essential Training Courses.

I’m a new starter - how do I access the suite?
New starters are enrolled weekly on Tuesday mornings. However, if you need to access faster then click the enrol button in the bottom left or contact essentials@manchester.ac.uk, providing your SPOT Id (staff id) and a member of the team will assist you. 

I am not desk based. Do I need to do it?

Yes. If you are a colleague at The University of Manchester you need to complete this suite. Arrangements are being made to ensure all colleagues can access computers and support. More information will be made available by local channels.

I am dual-contract and have done similar training in my other professional organisation. Do I need to do it?

If a colleague has a dual-contract (NHS or equivalent and The University of Manchester) and has undertaken equitable training which covers Diversity in the Workplace and Unconscious Bias related training in their adjoining professional organisation, and have completed this training after 01 August 2024, they should provide evidence of this completion to essentials@manchester.ac.uk, ensuring completion date is visible. Their training record will then be updated accordingly for these courses.

If completion of equitable training has occurred prior to 01 August 2024, dual-contract colleagues must complete both Diversity in the Workplace and Unconscious Bias.

All other courses must be completed as these contain specific information related to The University of Manchester.

How long do we have to complete it?

The Blackboard suite will be available from Monday 2 December 2024 until Friday 28 February 2025, offering a three-month window for all staff to complete the required training.

A new reporting tool will provide detailed insights into the completion status of essential training courses meaning Local Safety Advisers can discuss with managers, helping to identify and encourage staff who have not yet completed their required training.

Can you enrol me on to the course?

All colleagues across the University have already been enrolled onto ECAC2425 Essential Courses for All Colleagues. If you feel you have not been enrolled and you should be, please contact essentials@manchester.ac.uk, providing your SPOT Id (staff id) and a member of the team will assist you. 

When will my Training Record be updated?

Training Records will be updated monthly. Due to the scale of this endeavour, we have to work in a slightly different way than we have done previously. If you require evidence of completion between updates, please use the Blackboard certificates as evidence.

How can you support the training?

Complete your training from December onwards and encourage your teams and colleagues to complete their training by Friday, 28 February. Let colleagues know when the training will be available from Monday, 2 December and encourage them to take the time to prioritise their learning and development.

Is the training accessible?

All training is accessible, screen reader friendly and conforms to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) requirements.

How do achievements work?

Achievements will seem faded for those you are yet to receive and in full colour when you have achieved them. You can use the links for “earned achievements” and “unearned achievements” for further clarity. This is a quirk of Blackboard and outside of our design.

Can I access the training after I’ve completed it?

You can access all content in the future for reference. Just click the learning content and choose “new submission”. You will still be marked as complete.

Will this be an annual refresher?

We all have a responsibility for ensuring appropriate training is up to date. The training schedule is being re-evaluated as part of the institutional role based training analysis.

What happens if I don’t do it

We’re not going to talk about punitive measures at this time. We need all staff to complete training that is a legal requirement. We want all staff to complete training that’s a strategic requirement. First & foremost, we want to create a safe environment for all colleagues and we want to celebrate that. We will only talk about consequences for non-completion to the few who do not engage and represent The University of Manchester in this regard.