The Open University has created a new series of courses for managers and future leaders. The courses, created by the OU’s Business School, are aimed at those in full-time employment who want to continue to improve their skills without having to take a break from their employer. Formed in 1983 the OUBS is dedicated to the development of distance learning in the field of management and professional education.

What makes these courses different is that they are modular and when combined with a number of other modules in the series, students are able, on successful completion of each of the courses, to attain an internationally recognised qualification such as a Diploma or an MBA. All of the course modules are designed to give managers ongoing Continued Professional Development (CPD) and equip them with management skills needed to run businesses in an increasingly complex world.

Human Resources Managers recognise the value that CPD programmes have on advancing the skills of their staff. These programmes support the corporate objectives whilst providing a far more cost effective and longer lasting impact. Sending staff away on half or one day courses may meet a specific need at a particular point in time, but if what staff learn on them is not utilised soon after, much of their value dissipates.

With its range of business, management and vocational courses and renowned flexible learning methods, the Open University is well-placed to suit an individual’s or a company’s personal or corporate training needs.

Most courses can be studied by those working full-time, and are flexible enough for even the busiest executives. The work-based learning programmes are relevant and immediately applicable to the workplace. A wide variety of courses are available covering all the main management disciplines: strategy and planning, marketing, human resources, financial management, technology strategy and business operations.

Each of the courses focus on developing a number of key capabilities including:

• leadership skills
• creative problem solving
• managing projects
• managing stress
• working effectively with others

These are capabilities that cannot be taught in a one-day seminar but are developed over time, through interaction, discussion and feedback.

The CPD courses can adapt content, learning platforms, assessments and timescales according to the learning styles and needs of the organisation and its managers.

Courses are usually undertaken in the workplace with tutor support and feedback. The longer-term effects also help to build a motivated and responsible workforce.

CASE STUDY
Project Management module

One example of how the CPD model can help managers is in the area of project management. At some stage of their career, most managers will be involved with managing projects and running these requires the ability to use and co-ordinate a complex set of skills.

The CPD course How Projects Work lets managers test and develop these skills in a proven hot-house simulation. The course leaves staff equipped with greater confidence and competence in project delivery. Enriched by the experience and able to retain the valuable course materials, delegates will find it easy to distribute their project management skills throughout the teams they work in.

This course, which can be adapted to individual employers, is derived from a software training package developed by and used in Rolls-Royce plc.
It is particularly useful for companies and organisations who seek to hone the skills of groups of key staff involved in project management, such as team leaders, engineers, IT professionals or frontline managers. Specifically, the programme will help staff to deliver:

• projects that are planned properly
• projects that meet their deadlines
• projects within budget
• projects based on accurate assumptions
• projects less prone to unexpected impacts

Unlike traditional project management courses, How Projects Work requires teams of delegates to ‘have a go’ at an intensive and complex project. A key part of this course is a two-day simulation exercise. Before, during and after this exercise, delegates are encouraged by their tutors to apply their course learning to their own work practice.

For more information about OU Business School Courses contact The Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce or the OUBS Representative for Spain and Gibraltar - Martyn Wiggett at m.wiggett@open.ac.uk. Or have a look at their website www.oubs.open.ac.uk