SELECT, the authoritative trade body for the electrotechnical industry in Scotland, is once again illustrating its commitment to the interests of its members by backing one of the sector’s most sought-after management courses.
For the third year running, there has been a 100% take-up of the prestigious Graduate Certificate in Management Practice course which commenced at Napier University, Edinburgh, at the start of the academic season.
The bespoke course is run by the university in conjunction with SELECT over the course of a year and allows 15 students to provide themselves with a valued qualification which will assist their path into management or significantly enhance existing management capabilities.
Elaine Ellis of SELECT said: “It is gratifying that there has once again been such an enthusiastic take-up of the Certificate course. It illustrates the commitment which our members have to continuing professional development.”
The course, which is the equivalent of a third year university course, involves three sets of three one-day workshops completed over a period of 12 months. Work projects are incorporated into each module, whereby participants are encouraged to build a set of action plans during and following each workshop.
Modules include: managing interactions; managing self; and managing through others and provide students with a comprehensive menu of practical advice and detailed guidance in order to allow them to professionalise management practice.
Jackie Cameron, client director at Napier and group coach for the course, said: “The most pronounced element of the feedback we receive is that the course is very challenging but also very worthwhile.
“For its duration, the participants are, to all intents and purpose,s university students and for many that is a first-time experience. They are asked to be fully engaged, to share the learning opportunity and to reflect on the experience.
“Some have had more management responsibility than others and most have a technical background on which to draw. The programme helps them to recognise what they are already doing well and the common thread among the students is that they all want to be better managers.”
Elaine Ellis said that of the 15 students on this year’s course, some had volunteered, some had been identified as having management potential and had been sent by their firms and some were owner managers of small businesses who wanted a better understanding of management processes.
She said that the course had been supported by the Electrical Engineering Training Foundation, which fosters training in the industry and helps to secure grant funding.
Elaine said: “The cost of the course could be quite daunting for both individuals and companies. Because it is a bespoke programme, the fees for the year are £1700. But the EETF has been able to meet £1150 of that cost, significantly improving the chances of students being able to take on this valuable training initiative.”
For more information please contact David Wright, Head of External Affairs at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, tel. 0131 445 5577.