Many people remember the film Top Gun where the cream of the US military went on for special training…I wonder why it sprang to mind?
18 senior HR, consultancy and development professionals from Amerada Hess, Barclays Bank, Boots, Guinness, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Swiss Reinsurance, Virgin Atlantic, Vodafone, Worldcom and other organisations have signed up for a specialist masters programme at Roffey Park, the Horsham-based management education and research organisation.
Accredited by the University of Salford, Roffey Park’s MSc in People and Organisational Development is a two year, part-time programme designed specifically for those who deliver or manage the development of individuals, groups and organisations. The programme features an innovative learning approach, which allows participants to tailor the programme content and learning methods to their own – and their organisation’s – needs, making it very different to a conventional programme.
“You identify your own personal learning goals, objectives, targets and performance measures and you work closely with other developers to apply your learning,” explained Therese Turner, Programme Director of Roffey Park’s MSc. “This process of Self Managed Learning helps you learn new skills and knowledge and enhance your current capabilities, making you more efficient and more effective.”
Potential applicants need several years’ development experience and a demonstrable track record of personal achievement. Once accepted, all participants work in small groups, called Learning Sets, which meet monthly. The programme features self and peer assessment rather than formal examinations.
Over the two years, there are six, three-day residentials at Roffey Park which provide the opportunity for group work, discussion, presentations and practical activities.
“A key benefit cited by many participants is the input received from other experienced trainers, developers and consultants as well as the Roffey Park tutorial staff and external contributors from the business and academic worlds,” said Therese Turner. “In effect, this amounts to high-level consultancy which can help you meet the current and future development challenges that you and your organisation encounter.”
Roffey Park’s MSc programme was established in 1991. The next intake starts in January 2002. Roffey Park holds regular open days and evenings where potential applicants and sponsoring organisations can see the facilities and learn more about how the programme works.
For more information on Roffey Park’s MSc in People and Organisational Development – please call Sheila Dale, the MSc Registrar, on 01293 851644 or mailto:sheila.dale@roffeypark.com
Based in Horsham, West Sussex, Roffey Park provides open programmes, qualification programmes, workshops, tailored in-company development initiatives, consultancy services and research. Further details can be found on the internet
