Training Trends 2025: Supporting Advancement Professionals & Their Champions

Training and Support for Development Professionals and Their Champions

Through discussions with leaders, managers, and stakeholders, a key focus has emerged around the training, development, and retention of staff within the sector. The number of professionals working in educational development has greatly increased, reflecting significant growth. This expansion necessitates the recruitment of individuals with transferable skills from the commercial and charity sectors while also accelerating the progression of those already within the profession, all within the context of resource constraints.

A cover email was sent to approximately 175 development professionals across HE and school sectors, primarily targeting Directors. Over the course of this week, we will deliver a series of outputs from the survey, including actionable recommendations for you and your colleagues.

The Survey and Its Participants

This survey aimed to capture insights from across the educational development sector, including Higher Education (HE), Further Education (FE), schools, and other educational charities. However, given the numbers involved—respondents were predominantly from HE institutions, followed by schools. The survey was designed to provide an overview of sector-wide trends while identifying key challenges and opportunities.

The survey received 56 responses, representing a completion rate of around 32%. All but 11 of the participants managed people, and around one quarter worked 100% physically, with an even spread for hybrid working and days per week. Unsurprisingly, over 50% identified as the decision makers for  training

• Job Titles: Of the 56 respondents, 50 provided their job titles. Among them, 22 were identified as Directors or Chief-level professionals—the most senior figures in their institutions.
• Institutional Representation: 51 participants disclosed their institutions, covering 44 individual organisations: 32 HE institutions, nine schools, and three other entities. Among HE respondents, nine represented Oxbridge colleges.
• Areas of Work: The participants’ focus areas varied greatly. The three most significant clusters consisted of fundraisers and senior leaders, likely influenced by the high proportion of Directors who completed the survey.

If you missed any of the articles leading up to this, they can be found here:

Building Capacity in your Development Office

Unlocking Potential: Navigating Preferences & Challenges

Creating Meaningful Capacity Building Experiences: Insights for Professional Development

Key Observations & Recommendations for Building