UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 21 APRIL 2009
Business leaders from across all sectors are now able to improve on their professional skills thanks to a new Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management Development launched by Birmingham City University.
First through the doors on this two year training programme was West Midlands based AF Blakemore and Son Ltd - an employer of approx 5,000 people and with a turnover in excess of £800m. The business is a key player in the world-wide SPAR symbol group.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management Development has been written by business professionals at the University's Business School, and is validated specifically for the use of AF Blakemore.
The launch of the course was attended by Managing Director and owner Peter Blakemore, and Group HR Director Stephen Cloves from AF Blakemore and Son Ltd.
The course itself is being undertaken by a group of 12 senior managers from AF Blakemore & Sons Ltd, and is the first such programme that the company has undertaken. This course will be the start of their development strategy to support the long-term growth and aspirations of the company.
Peter Blakemore said: "Our senior mangers are looking forward to starting this course. It will be of great benefit professionally, and in terms on personal development too.
"Both of these aspects are very important to Blakemore & Sons Ltd, as a family firm we are committed to progression in our staff. We are a company dedicated to showing our people that they are serious about their development."
Professor Christopher Prince, Dean of Birmingham City Business School said: "This is a new course for the University and is a good example of the way we want to work with companies in the future.
"We want to create modules that address the specific business needs of a company, as we think that businesses will reap the rewards of a bespoke service like this."
Those undertaking the course will have to complete modules that total 60 credits to gain the qualification. The programme is partly delivered electronically (via the internet) and face-to-face through workshops. The assessment is mainly through a company project that all students will work on, and then they will feedback their findings to senior members of the management team.