The University of Portsmouth has developed a tailored work-based learning programme in Strategic Quality Management for a high tech giant in order to support key staff in implementing a range of change projects.
 

The University has created an 18-month long Masters course for 22 potential high fliers at Hewlett-Packard (HP), which have been chosen out of a global workforce of 304,000. Its so-called ‘Black Belt’ change champions will learn ‘lean’ techniques in a bid to make the company more efficient. The ‘lean’ methodology originated in the manufacturing sector and helps organisations to strip waste out of their business processes in order to make them quicker and more streamlined.
 
Course leader Barbara Savage, said: “The idea was to work very much in partnership with HP to deliver a bespoke course to complement the strategic objectives of a growing organisation, while retaining the rigour and integrity of a Master’s qualification.”
 
The aim was to avoid duplicating students’ existing knowledge and training and to focus on “adding value” by exposing them to fresh ideas from other sectors as well as new techniques to boost customer engagement.
 
Participants started the course this week and will spend two week-long sessions at the University. The rest of the training will be undertaken via distance learning with support from a tutor. Assignments will combine academic theory with its practical application in corporate change projects and each student has taken on a specific business objective to form the basis of their studies.
 
Paul Maguire, director of strategic initiatives for HP in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: “By understanding process improvement and linking ‘lean’ to HP’s strategy and growth agenda, we can increase value and even surpass the expectations of our top customers worldwide. Our lean ‘black belts’ will help us achieve this by learning new concepts, tools and methods and by changing the way we work.”