An interview with David Vickers, programme leader, MA human resource management/development
David was employed as an HR professional in a variety of roles for a number of multinational organisations, most notably ICI, and worked in HR for 17 years, before moving into academia with UCLan. He has also worked as an independent consultant to a number of small businesses, several large public and private sector organisations. David is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and a national assessor of CIPD academic membership applicants.
David explains: "The MA human resource management/development at UCLan takes students beyond the standard CIPD programmes and develops their critical thinking on a specific HR topic or subject area. The programme is for HR practitioners who have achieved a CIPD-accredited Postgraduate diploma in HR (advanced level) or are chartered members of the CIPD. The course involves writing a dissertation and conducting primary research on an HR topic, often this will be in the student's own organisation."
"The flexibility of our course delivery means that we can accommodate students from all over the UK. So far we have had students from as far afield as Cardiff, Carlisle, Southampton, Birmingham, as well as from Preston and Lancashire," David adds.
"We have had HR practitioners join us from a wide range of organisations - from private sector businesses in manufacturing, engineering, retail and food; from public sector organisations, including the NHS, local government and education; and from not-for-profit organisations, including charities, development bodies and associations. Former students are employed in a range of HR roles, some of them in very senior positions. We find that many of the colleagues and managers of our students have undertaken the programme with us previously – word of mouth is one of our best forms of marketing."
What would David's top tip be for prospective students? "Come on the course ready to ask questions, as it really helps with understanding. As a teaching team, we love questions, so don't be shy - usually your question will be on the mind of others, but no-one has the courage to ask."
UCLan postgraduate programmes in human resource management/development
MA human resource management/development
MSc human resource management/development
