20 July 2005

New crop of industry leaders graduate

Fourteen delegates of the Loughborough University Management Development Centre, BPIF Professional Certificate in print Management course graduated on the 18 July 2005. One distinction was awarded to Alison Headley of South Wales Argus and two of the graduates have progressed onto the Diploma level in management studies at Loughborough. The graduates, representing 14 UK printing companies, were presented with their certificates by Sir John Jennings, Chancellor of Loughborough University, in the official ceremony for the faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities alongside over 550 other graduates. Press Hall Manager at Mirror Colour Print, Dave Evans feels the course has dramatically improved his ability to write structured reports and developed his ability to think through issues for himself as a manager, “The course develops you to go out and get information for yourself. It taught me management methods rather than lessons which in my view is much more useful. In my work as manager when problems and issues occur I’m much better equipped to go out and research the issues and find the answer.” Jon Lowe, Technical Business Officer at Ordnance Survey, had been out of academic education since his GCSEs but didn’t find this a barrier to learning, “The foundation module is designed to help you get into the swing of research and writing and is very helpful. The references to books around the subjects mean that you can do further research and get even more out of the course.” Jon found the problem solving module especially helpful, “It doesn’t tell you ‘how’ to solve problems, it shows you how to think them through for yourself and have confidence in your decision.” The course, designed for managers in the printing industry and aimed at anyone from supervisors to directors, has been running for 4 years to great acclaim amongst both delegates and managers of delegates and has now seen 40 managers graduate. The Professional Certificate in print Management gives managers a chance to build on their knowledge in a range of areas from HR to problem solving, financial management to marketing and to gain a university accredited certificate and points to build towards a management degree. There are still limited places left on this year’s course which begins in Loughborough in September. BPIF welcome applications from all companies, both member and non-member, and are happy to discuss the course in detail, with interested parties. Picon is generously offering bursary funding of £500 for each candidate attending the course. The cost of the course will, therefore, be £3050 plus VAT.