Learning pathways

Why do learning pathways exist?

Every year, the Academy organises more than 200 multilingual learning activities, lectures, and meetings which focus on the professional development of knowledge on international issues, diplomatic skills, and behaviour. These activities are directed at Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff and other government employees in international roles. They provide an opportunity to learn, develop, and contribute to the organisational goals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

‘There was a huge number of learning activities, and that is why we came up with the concept of the learning pathway. Learning pathways serve as signposts throughout the entire curriculum we offer and are there to guide your development in your current role,’ explains Jan Willem Naphegyi-Schouw, senior learning and development advisor at the Academy.

Getting down to work

‘We like to work from a practical perspective, so we conducted interviews with colleagues from the different job groups,’ explains Babet Mooij, who is another of the Academy’s senior learning and development advisors. ‘We noticed that staff appreciate the opportunity to talk about learning and their own experience. During these discussions, we examined the content of their jobs, and how they acquired their knowledge and skills. That gave us hugely valuable insights.’

The personal element

‘The aim was to create a learning environment that encompasses both the essential skills for each team and individual and provides the flexibility for personal and professional growth, and for the unique needs and aspirations of each member of staff,’ explains Jan Willem. ‘After all, learning is a lot more than just attending a training session or a course because colleagues learn from and with each other. The learning pathways are a real gamechanger in terms of how we approach professional development,’ Jan Willem adds enthusiastically.

Compass

Learning pathways are not just a valuable signpost for yourself. They are also an essential tool for managers to give direction to team development. Babet continues, ‘A learning pathway is like a compass that guides you through all the logical and relevant learning activities which perfectly align with your specific job group. Thanks to our learning pathways, you now have the option of gaining a clear overview of all formal and informal learning activities which apply to a particular job.’

Feedback

‘The content of the learning pathways came directly from the job groups themselves. After all, they know best what they do and what they need. It was a great way to ensure that the learning pathways are truly relevant and practice-oriented,’ Jan Willem clarifies.

Babet explains how they introduced learning pathways for country officers and management assistants three years ago. ‘These groups appreciate the clarity which the learning pathways provide. They now have a clear view of what is needed for their development, and that really makes a difference. One of the most frequent responses we heard was “If only I had known this earlier”. Now we are working on a learning pathway for management assistants in English.’

Responsibility

‘It was very important to find an “owner” who could keep the learning pathways alive and up to date. Staff from the various job groups know what they need best. That is why we are staying in constant dialogue with them. This also enables us to share the responsibility for creating an appropriate learning pathway,’ Jan Willem emphasises.

Personal learning need

‘The great thing about a learning pathway is that you can make personal choices based on specific learning needs,’ Babet adds. ‘The path you take within the learning pathway may be different to the path taken by a colleague in the same job. The most important thing to remember is that a learning pathway has been designed to encourage your development in the context of your current role.’

There is a difference between learning pathways and career paths. Career paths explore future career opportunities within domains like the EU, the economy, and security, while learning pathways focus on boosting knowledge and skills for your current role.

If you would like to continue your personal development within the framework of your current role, the learning pathways of the Academy for International Relations will point you in the right direction in the curriculum and will lead you to learning activities which align perfectly with your specific job group.