Flexible Learning+ (PDS)

Jamie Patel, winner of a 2009 CIPD Award

Studying for: The Professional Development Scheme

Jamie Patel is one of two MOL recipients this year to win the coveted CIPD award for achieving the highest pass mark in a field of the Professional Development Scheme (PDS); in this case the ‘Personnel Management and Development Scheme’.

She works as an HR Advisor for Samsung, and enrolled on the PDS with MOL to help her achieve a goal that is common among many HR professionals; enhancing her opportunities for career progression.

Jamie originally chose MOL’s ‘blended learning’ route of studying because of the flexibility that it offered. Without the need to go to a college on a regular basis, for example she could plan studying around her busy life style. A mixture of periodic workshops and quality self-study materials meant she could study at a time and place suited to her personal circumstances (knowing that the tutors could be contacted evenings and weekends if necessary).

While the materials allowed Jamie to learn at a pace that best suited her, she also found that the workshops were a wonderful opportunity to participate in a genuinely interactive learning experience. They took advantage of each individual student’s abilities with the added benefit of the tutor facilitating a vibrant networking system between the students. This gave Jamie an additional level of support and help outside of the workshops. She also found indispensable the tutor’s ability, because of her experience as a working HR practitioner, to relate the programme’s theory to practical experiences in the workplace.

A mixture of

• supported private study
• quality materials
• knowledgeable and experienced working HR tutor, and
• student networking

helped Jamie achieve her prestigious CIPD award.

Julie Webber, winner of a 2009 CIPD Award

Job: HR Manager

Julie Webber is winner of the 2009 CIPD Award for achieving the highest pass mark in the national exams. Julie’s success was in the ‘Elective’ field of the CIPD Professional Development Scheme (PDS).

After researching a number of providers, Julie decided to enrol with MOL for this qualification because she was impressed with our success rates. The opportunity to have access to tutors after office hours was also a deciding factor. This is when most of her studying was undertaken and having this facility available was a real benefit.

The flexible blended learning route provided by MOL was ideal as it meant that she could avoid travelling to evening workshops every week and instead could study at a time, location and pace that suited her. Motivation was maintained by being mindful of impending exams and having specific goals for successfully passing the qualification. In Julie’s case, her goal was to become a Chartered Member of the CIPD, enhancing her overall employability and broadening her knowledge.

The Employment Law elective was of particular interest to her: ‘Employment law was a fantastic module and I learnt a huge amount’. Julie found the materials ‘comprehensive’, the modules ‘well focused’ and the practical elements like the mock tribunal very useful. She was also impressed with the ‘excellent’ tutor who she found made a ‘real difference’.

Julie has also offered some advice to prospective new students to the PDS programme.

• Complete as many practice exam papers as possible to fully understand what is required by an examiner.
• Not only understand the necessary topics, but also the key theorists attached to them and examples of the topic within both your organisation and others.
• Have planned goals for the programme, but allow for the fact that there may be challenges along the way that need to be resolved.