Want to develop your skills?

CERN offers a diverse array of educational opportunities to help members of its community develop their skills, broaden their perspectives and put new approaches into practice. One such course, "From needs to solutions: insights," demonstrates this approach by teaching participants how to accurately identify their real needs and develop suitable solutions.

The course, led by Stephan Petit from the Engineering Department's Quality Management Support Service, encourages attendees to ask the fundamental question "why?" instead of assuming a need is already a solution. This more critical way of thinking can help individuals overcome the tendency to focus on perceived needs rather than genuine ones.

Since April 2021, the course has been offered regularly, with 57 sessions held thus far and nearly 300 participants from all departments of CERN. The course is not limited to CERN employees, though. Since April 2024, it has been accessible to residents of the Republic and Canton of Geneva through a knowledge transfer contract with CERN.

Nineteen sessions have already been conducted, attracting around 200 participants from various cantonal administration services, including the state chancellery and departments responsible for economy, employment, health, mobility, institutions, digital affairs, finance, and public education.

This collaboration showcases the value of sharing CERN's expertise and knowledge with society. By making these learning opportunities available beyond the Organization, CERN contributes to skill development and innovation in the public sector. To take advantage of these educational offerings, visit the Learning and Development web page on CERN's website.