Degree updates training skills

MAJOR issues related to personnel training are covered in a post-graduate programme offered by the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE) at the University of Hong Kong in conjunction with the Centre of Labour Market Studies at Leicester University.

The two-year distance-learning programme requires students to take four short courses and prepare a short paper based on research.

This programme will lead to a master of science in training degree.

According to SPACE, so far about 100 students have completed the programme. Most of them are from multinational corporations and government departments.

The programme will enable students understand how to take advantage of human resources and also how to help people to adjust with re-employment and retraining.

Students are taught to combine theoretical aspects with practical experiences. They will be able to acquire updated information on developments related to personnel training locally and internationally.

In addition, the programme will provide students with the skills to initiate and monitor the effectiveness of training programmes run by companies for their employees. The employers of those enrolling in the programme will also benefit, as students continue to work while learning the latest ideas and innovative approaches in training and human resource management.

Also, the workplace will become a laboratory for those taking the programme to try out the new ideas.

According to SPACE, the programme's best feature was that it emphasised personnel training as an independent area of study and research.

Usually, students will use an issue related to their workplace as a focus of their research.