Topline: Classified Professional Development Survey

Background

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness collaborated with the Office of Professional Development to survey classified staff about their experience with professional development. All classified staff received a survey through email, yielding a 30.47% response rate. Most respondents did not want to identify the division they worked in (21.05%) and/or were from Business and Administrative Services (18.07%).

Results

Results from the survey will guide and improve future professional development activities. The survey provided insight on professional development needs and interest, logistics (platform, time, day, etc.) and experiences at PCC. Classified staff had an opportunity to express additional needs, ideas or comments related to professional development.

Professional Development Needs and Interests

In regards to working at PCC, classified staff identified the top 5 needs or interests as: managing conflict (11.93%), union contracts (11.65%) Customer care/service (listening, empathizing, using positive language, adapting, etc.) (10.80%), purchasing/fiscal processes (9.38%), and evaluating programs and/or service areas (9.09%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Working at PCC	% of respondents
Managing conflict	11.93%
Union contracts	11.65%
Customer care/service (listening, empathizing, using positive language, adapting, etc.)	10.80%
Purchasing/fiscal processes	9.38%
Evaluating programs and/or service areas	9.09%

In regards to diversity, equity and inclusion, classified staff identified the top 3 needs or interests as: culturally-responsive/affirming practices (17.80%), safe Zones and/or other ally trainings (11.86%) and trauma-informed Practices (11.86%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion	% of respondents
Culturally-responsive/affirming practices	17.80%
Safe Zones and/or other ally trainings	11.86%
Trauma-informed Practices	11.86%

In regards to other aspects supporting student success, classified staff identified the top 3 needs or interests as: career communities and career exploration (23.76%), completion and transfer (19.80%) and first yer experience (17.82%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Other Aspects Supporting Student Success	% of respondents
Career communities and career exploration	23.76%
Completion and transfer	19.80%
First year experience	17.82%

In regards to general technologies, classified staff identified the top 3 needs or interests as: accessibility of documents, forms, web sites, Canvas pages, etc. (28.77%), audio/video editing and closed captioning (16.04%) and social media for work purposes (15.57%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to General Technologies	% of respondents
Accessibility of documents, forms, web sites, Canvas pages, etc.	28.77%
Audio/video editing and closed captioning	16.04%
Social media for work purposes	15.57%

In regards to specific software applications used for academic and/or administrative tasks, classified staff identified the top 5 needs or interests as: Banner (requisitions, budget tracking, etc.) (13.41%), Adobe Acrobat (DocuSign) (10.61%) Chrome River (10.06%), Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) (8.38%), and 25Live (7.82%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Specific Software Applications used for Academic and/or Administrative Tasks	% of respondents
Banner (requisitions, budget tracking, etc.)	13.41%
Adobe Acrobat (DocuSign)	10.61%
Chrome River	10.06%
Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint)	8.38%
25Live	7.82%

In regards to career advancement, classified staff identified the top 3 needs or interests as: leadership development (18.75%), budget management (14.73%) and grant writing (12.95%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Career Advancement	% of respondents
Leadership development	18.75%
Budget management	14.73%
Grant writing	12.95%

In regards to health & safety, classified staff identified the top 3 needs or interests as: active shooter training (18.99%), first aid and CPR (16.46%) and personal wellness (16.03%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Health & Safety	% of respondents
Active shooter training	18.99%
First aid and CPR	16.46%
Personal wellness	16.03%

In regards to retirement and financial planning, classified staff identified the top 3 needs or interests as: CalSTRS/CalPRS benefits & rights (39.75%), retirement planning (25.47%), financial planning (17.39%), healthcare after retirement (17.39%).

Professional Development Needs/Interests Related to Retirement and Financial Planning	Need
CalSTRS/CalPRS benefits & rights	39.75%
Retirement planning	25.47%
Financial planning	17.39%
Healthcare after retirement	17.39%

Logistics: Preferred Platform and Time/Day

Classified staff preferred in-person professional development activities (56.14%), online asynchronous (i.e., self-paced) (37.93%) or online synchronous (i.e., guided and with a defined timeline for all participants) (34.48%). In terms of the day and time, classified preferred Friday mornings from 8am-12pm and Monday to Thursday mornings (7am-12pm).

Preferred Professional Development Platforms	% of responses
In-person workshop, one or two hours	56.14%
Online asynchronous (i.e., self-paced)	37.93%
Online synchronous (i.e., guided and with a defined timeline for all participants)	34.48%

Preferred Times for Professional Development Activities	% of responses
Friday morning (8am-12pm)	48.33%
Monday-Thursday morning (7am-12pm)	47.17%
Monday-Thursday early afternoon (12pm-3pm)	35.21%
Saturday morning (8am-12pm)	20.00%

Participation and Experience with Professional Development

Reasons for not participating in professional development activities	% of responses
Manager did not support my participation	66.67%
Dates/times conflicted with my schedule	49.06%
Coverage was needed and not available	44.19%

Statements	Strongly Agree	Agree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
I am interested in participating in professional development.	37.65%	51.76%	5.88%	4.71%
I believe professional development can help me improve my professional practice.	42.35%	48.24%	3.53%	5.88%
I am satisfied with the professional development offerings at PCC.	8.33%	54.76%	25.00%	11.90%
Professional development offerings at PCC help me explore new ways to promote equity in my practice.	14.29%	58.33%	17.86%	9.52%
I am comfortable discussing race-related topics with my colleagues.	20.00%	57.65%	15.29%	7.06%
I am interested in facilitating professional development activities at PCC.	5.00%	28.75%	46.25%	20.00%