Published at 11:06, Thursday, 29 March 2012

THE different types of training courses and learning opportunities on offer these days is as varied as the individuals who want to access them. The full time, three-year undergraduate degree model is now only one of a range of methods available to begin, develop or expand your studies and skills.

At the University of Cumbria we already offer many of our courses on a part-time basis and, in the area of business in particular, we aim to make study accessible to students, employees, managers and business owners alike. By offering flexible, blended, online programmes, we make it possible for people to continue in education while at work.

In West Cumbria, our foundation degree in business management is delivered with Lakes College. This qualification can be topped-up to a full degree in business management at our facility at Energus, completed as a part-time mainly online course.

We plan to remain as a key player in the continuing development of Britain’s Energy Coast and pursue our existing partnerships with further education colleges in the area to provide more higher education locally.

A goal of the university is to support business and entrepreneurship, helping boost the regional economy and raise the level of competitiveness. We actively work with companies in the area to ensure that our courses are current and relevant to the business world.

Programmes can often be tailored to meet an organisation’s specific needs, to prepare its employees to perform effectively in competitive business environments and fulfil their career aspirations.

In the future, the university plans to offer a bespoke foundation degree programme to companies in West Cumbria, allowing them to tailor the modules their employees study in a way that will be most beneficial for their business. Optional subjects like e-commerce and online marketing will be available alongside the usual core business modules.

An extensive range of short business courses, single modules and continuing professional development programmes are also part of the university’s diverse portfolio. These courses are popular and successful and are an ideal way for busy professionals to improve their skills and productivity.

Working in partnership with the Centre for Leadership Performance, at Lillyhall, one-day courses such as ‘Planning for Growth’ have recently been offered at Energus to explore how businesses can develop a growth strategy within ever-evolving markets.

We also work with students, graduates and local businesses to provide a comprehensive business placement service. Through these short-term placements, the students and graduates gain invaluable work experience, making them even more ready to join the world of work. And local companies benefit from temporary employees who bring an injection of up-to-the-minute skills, at limited or no cost to themselves.

Given the range of options that are already available, it’s difficult to predict exactly how training and learning methods will continue to evolve in the future. However, the university is committed to creating courses and activities that are easily accessible for local people, along with consultancy and research that supports the regional economy, its businesses and employees.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk