Aaron Tucker – Project Manager, Sunderland PCT - July 2006

The opportunity to obtain a sound and theoretical base to underpin my daily practice which attracted me to the Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Workforce Planning.

Opportunities

I have been introduced to a network of people who are also involved in workforce planning, information HR and organisational development and training roles through the programme. This has enabled us to share good practice, innovative methods and benchmarks. The safe environment facilitates information sharing and also allows us to share concerns and to use the network to reflect on issues both personally and for practical application.

Through meeting a varied and diverse group of people on the programme, I have been able to develop a better understanding of the similarities and differences between the provision of services between England and Wales and how they are managed. This has been hugely developmental for me.

The quality of the external speakers has been exceptional and very stimulating.

The programme is designed to not only improve workforce planning skills but encourages the learner to reflect on their own personal development.

Challenges

The programme is intense and I have found that most of my learning has resulted from completing the assignments for the three modules rather than from the theoretical sessions.

The challenge for me is ensuring that the knowledge gained from being on the programme is shared within your organisation and embedded into practice.

Overall

At first I was unsure what to expect from the programme and I was expecting that there would be a greater focus on workforce planning processes. The focus of the programme is strategic workforce planning and by definition provides a more strategic overview of drivers which impact on operational workforce planning processes.

I feel more knowledgeable as a result of undertaking this programme and I plan to implement this learning by developing and contributing to a learning network. Strategic workforce planning is a key component of my role and is critical to the service reconfiguration and role modernisation agenda.

The programme raises the profile of workforce planning and therefore planners. A Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Workforce Planning demonstrates the importance, and highlights the value of this role.

Ultimately, the benefits of the programme will be realised in having a sustainable, flexible workforce which meets the needs of the service.

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