Cut out and keep
Handy Hints for better use of the online booking and contacting
Workforce Development admin
Contacting us
It would be very helpful if, when emailing Anne, myself or the HR admin mailbox, if you could
use your auto signature.
While we would be really proud to know you all personally and remember your work base and
job role – we can’t!
Please set up your auto signature by:
 Open a new email.
 On the message tab at the top of the page, 3rd box across from the right you will see
Signature. Click on this.
 On the drop down box, click on Signatures.
 This will open a page.
 Select new and add a signature, then click save.
 In the free text box below – add your signature as you want it to appear (you can use
text/colour/size as required) followed by job title, work base address, phone number
and email.
 Save.
 Re-open new email and your signature should appear automatically.
 If you make an error you can go back in the same as above and just edit the details.
Keeping your details up to date
It would be useful if you can email Anne with any changes to your details (e.g. change in job
roles/phone numbers including extension numbers) as it is often a while before this
information filters down to us resulting in lost emails/delays in making contact with you.
If you move work base, please ask your new manager to change your work base details on
the online booking system (zipporah)
Using online booking facility
Anne and I support the training needs for around 1500 staff members spread over around 5
different service areas ( older people’s; learning disability; mental health; Social Care
Reablement – including Domiciliary care; Community Enabling – and some support to Rapid
Response).
Anne’s time is scarce and, as with your admin support time, we need to prioritise.
The online booking system is designed to be a self service system. Anne and I help you to
use it by:
Detailing the category/sub category and course code when we refer you to any course ( e.g.
in Study Buddy or in your training databases)
nne sends a hyperlink in all emails which invite you to sign yourself or your staff to a
course – clicking on this link bypasses the category/sub category/course code route taking
you to straight to the course page.
Anne is willing to talk anyone through how to use the system
Sending you an easy guide along with this issue of Study Buddy
Using waiting lists
Please do not forget that if you have staff who require training and there are no courses
scheduled you need to add their names to the waiting list for the course. This helps us to see
what training is required and in what areas we need to run the courses in.
Changing personal details
If personal details change (name/workplace/job role) you can change this for yourself and
your team members online.
Go to the persons account (not user group) e.g. user name: Fred.Blogs Password: bodley1
Go to ‘My account’ and change the details as necessary.
Spelling staff names
Please ensure that you have the correct spelling for staff members when setting up their
account. This will be the name that appears on their certificate. Be clear about the name the
person wants to use: e.g.
Sue/Susan/Suzie/Susie/Suzanne Dave/David/Davy and ensure second/family names are
spelt correctly e.g. Davis/Davies Austen/Austin etc.
We have had experience of managers not being able to find staff accounts on the online
booking – so setting up another account. This causes problems when you come to search for
a certificate or want to run a report on training history.
Data Protection
Please don’t use your home address or personal email as a contact or on an evaluation form
– this assists us to keep within the Data Protection Act. If you don’t have personal access to
IT in the workplace, just give the workplace email or address.
Refreshments on courses
Please be aware that we no longer provide lunches on any of our courses. This is due to
financial constraints. Many of us remember with fondness training days at Buckfast Abbey
with a two course lunch provided. Unfortunately, we have had to think about the best use of
resources and as most people already bring their own packed lunch to work –
Stopping lunches seemed like a reasonable way to make better use of funding. Teas and
coffees will still be provided.
Special requirements
There is an opportunity on the online booking to tell us of any specific requirements which
you need to support your learning ( e.g. access to buildings/different formats for information).
If you don’t feel able to add this information to your booking, you can email us separately or
phone us.
Contact us:
For workbooks and online booking queries: anne.jessamine@devon.gov.uk
For anything else: mary.austin@devon.gov.uk
Both of us are on the 3000 system (01392 383000 and ask for us by name)