Over the last 12 months, in > Professional Development have been working with the University of Chester to bring accredited executive education to Directors and senior leaders.
The partnership aims to increase post-graduate studies within the professional environment and has so far enrolled 79 Executives and Directors on to quality-assured post-graduate certifications from across numerous sectors.
The relationship has led to the launch of two unique, high-quality accredited programmes within Chester’s award-winning work based learning framework; a Mini MBA (PgCert – Business Administration) and a Directors’ Development Programme (PgCert – Strategic Leadership for Directors), that are adapted to the individuals on each cohort. The Post-graduate certifications have been designed to bring academic qualifications to the practical working environment, with the only pre-requisite being that delegates have held a senior position for a minimum of three years.
Hand in hand, in > Professional Development supports the University on their wider commercial activities and the University provides in > Professional Development with resources, materials and support to students- together building great academic rigour to ensure that all services are delivered to the highest standard.
in>Professional Development Director, David Hall said, ‘This partnership has been a unique opportunity for us to collaborate with an outstanding academic organisation. Our partnership has allowed us to bring together the commercial skills of in>Professional Development with the academic expertise of the University of Chester to deliver outstanding senior development programmes. In comparison to other academics, the University of Chester has the agility to be adaptable in supporting our delegates and programmes.) It’s been refreshing to work with such a flexible, forward thinking partner.’
For over 20 years the University of Chester’s Centre for Work Related Studies (CWRS) has operated as one of the UK’s pioneering academic frameworks. It has been designed to enable flexible work-based learning and accreditation in higher education. It involves studies across a range of professional areas and co-delivery work with academic and commercial partners, such as in>Professional Development.
Director of CWRS & Associate Professor, Dr David Perrin said ‘The University of Chester always try to be forward-thinking in our approach to working with business partners and the community. Our partnership with in > Professional Development provided us with a valuable opportunity to extend our reach and gain more commercial opportunities. For us, it’s been great to work with such a high-quality partner, who put their customers first.’
Their unique proposition has ensured countless organisations and individuals have increased access to post-graduate opportunities, that they might have never considered.
Both parties are excited to see what the future brings, as they look to develop a comprehensive programme portfolio aimed at Boards, middle managers, senior managers and Directors, further boosting the level of broad organisation related post-graduate studies at the University.
