ethicalcareers.org site visitors are invited to take part in a series of debates about setting up a virtual university which could make career shifting easier.

Social enterprise Primetimers, which offers advice and information to third sector organisations, will run five debates over the next six months fleshing out the idea of establishing a Civil Society University (CSU).

Mary Chadwick, Primetimers director, said ethicalcareers.org site visitors would be welcome to attend the debates and believes a CSU would make it easier for job seekers to move from the private to the voluntary sector.

“It would be interesting to have some people wanting an ethical career at the events,” said Chadwick. “Anyone interested in coming along should contact us.

“We've researched this area but want to create a debate about it. The idea is that a CSU would allow people to gain credits for the training they do in their career whether they work in the private or third sector. So if someone has done a course in environmental sustainability that could count as one credit towards a CSU degree. Private sector companies could train staff in corporate social responsibility and have these accredited by the CSU. It would better prepare staff swapping to third sector careers.”

Chadwick says the debates aim to stimulate discussion and decide whether this is “a wacky idea that will get nowhere or if it does have some legs”. The first event takes place on the 3rd December and is entitled, “Is lifelong learning a realistic personal goal?” And on 10th March 2008, there's a discussion on “Lifelong learning and the reality of multiple careers.”

Primetimers have already interviewed 15 representatives from third sector organisations, including trade unions and campaigning charities, about what they think of the concept of a CSU.

One interviewee made the point that staff attending in-house training courses do not get any credit for this learning with new employers. “If the CSU could fill this gap it would add the benefit of portability,” said the representative. “Individuals would then be motivated and encouraged to build up credits throughout their careers which would have a value with their new employer.”

Other representatives were more cautious. One said the idea of training and education bodies in the third sector and universities providing credits towards CSU degrees could probably work. “But,” they added, “a great deal of research is needed into what is currently out there and who the CSU would be aimed at.”

Tickets for the debates are from £25.

• Primetimers
  www.primetimers.org.uk