A description of what you do in your work.

I am currently performing duties as Procurement Manager within the Department of

Contracts (Government Department). I was given this responsibility quite recently
and am therefore in the process of forming part of the existing team and learning
about what is needed to contribute fully to this department.
I am part of a team directly responsible for the creation, maintenance and running of a
revolutionary system aiming to change the traditional Government tendering
procedure to an electronic system. My current responsibilities include the overall
running of the new e-tendering system (currently running on the demo environment),
its testing and simulation procedures. Moreover, since this system is completely
new, we (Procurement Managers) are responsible for showing both procurers and
economic operators how to operate this system once all tenders start running
electronically. I have been assigned to control training with regards to the Ministry
of Health; considered as one of the main Governmental procurers in Malta.

Outline the reasons and motivations for doing this course.

I am doing this course because I aim to work within an HR environment as I enjoy
working with people, the job is usually interesting and varied, and it is an area where I
can prove my potential and skills for the organisation.
Although I am not currently working in an HR related department, my aim is to equip
myself with valuable knowledge so that when I return to this area of management, I
would be competent enough to undertake the necessary tasks. I consider HR as a
fundamental key for the success of any company since a good workforce is vital to the
overall productivity and efficiency of organisations.

Highlight what you wish to achieve from this course

My main aim is to improve my knowledge with regards to the basic HR principles in

order to excel in their implementation. I am also interested in understanding new HR
related theories and methodologies which are more relevant in today's environment.
This is an area which interests me a great deal and I am very eager to become a
professional individual when it comes to HR management.

What are the major concerns regarding studying

My major concern is to strike a reasonable balance between family commitments and
studying. However, once I am aware of my working hours and work related
commitments, I am confident that my job will not conflict with my studying time.
I am currently responsible for the training and development of indirect staff
(600+) on the RB Nottingham Site. This involves managing all elements of the
training process within a Healthcare environment. My role includes identifying
and co-ordinating training for many departments, the preparation of training
documentation, managing the training process, co-ordination and recording of
training, reporting and producing accurate statistics and maintaining KPI's. I
also deliver specific training to increase staff capability in a rapidly changing
environment. I need to be proactive working on a number of projects at a time
with the ability to influence people at all levels across the business. I work
under pressure and need to continually coach, develop and lead training
initiatives to engage stakeholders and provide ongoing support. I also have to
challenge the way training is managed and use best practices. I have to build
a credible network inside and outside of the business and recognise
opportunities to develop training towards 'World Class' standards, providing a
consistent solid background in training. I need to rapidly undertake training
needs analysis and define priorities whilst demonstrating flexibility and
recognising win - win opportunities.

I have worked in training for a number of years with RB and this course will
provide me with the tools to further develop training excellence for the
Nottingham Site (hopefully further afield too!). It will at the same time enhance
my existing skills and knowledge to deal with new challenges. It is vital to me
that whilst studying I continue to work, the course allows me the flexibility to
study at a pace to suit me without having to compromise my family.

I hope that completion of this course will provide me with a qualification that
will enable me to take the next step forward in my career. I would also like this
course to be a precursor to moving onto the Diploma.

I am a little nervous as it has been nearly 20 years since I last completed any
formal qualifications but equally I'm really excited and looking forward to
'getting stuck in'. My major concern regarding studying is time. I am aware
that my time is very precious and I need to organise myself effectively. I must
juggle working full-time along with spending quality time with my four year old
son. I must of course also put in the required amount of study time to allow
me to plan, prepare and present my assignments without having to rush to
meet the deadline.

Hello, my name is Michael Cartoscelli and I am the Service Delivery manager for a
well-known technology company in the United States. We are the innovators of cloud
computing and driving social and mobile changes in the cloud computing space of
technology.

I currently write technical processes and procedures to be utilized by staff and

management, in alignment with the Information Technology Infrastructure Library
(ITIL) framework and best practice. These include documents on dealing with and
triaging Incidents, Problems, and Changes to the production technology environment,
and how to escalate issues throughout the different teams in our tiered infrastructure.

In this role I have run into a variety of obstacles, which my first year in this program
assisted with in overcoming.

The motivational factors that drive both individual contributors and management,
with special attention paid to the Vroom expectancy theory helped me out a great
deal, along with dealing with Organizational Change Management. Along with it's
impact on employee motivation and training needs. As people and processes change,
our training and development must change as well.

Writing process documents that impact the way over 1500 people do work in our
environment and being the driving factor behind that is daunting and quite
challenging.

I hope to build on this foundation and continue to find real world and practical
examples where education and course material can augment my skillset, as well as
assist me in overcoming the challenges faced by my organization.

The difficulty I ran into last year, which I worry about again this year, is my ability to
effectively write and communicate in an academic method. I write in a business
format and style everyday and after being out of the academic world for 12+ years,
going back has really had an impact on my writing style and ability.

I did receive excellent feedback on my assignments and have implemented a great

deal of those suggestions into my writing style. I hope to continue to build on that and
achieve Merit/Distinction in my assignments this year.

My name is Sean Nugent and I am currently employed as a training consultant

working Dubai which is in the United Arab Emirates. I have been in my current job
since moving to Dubai in 2005. Prior to this I enjoyed a very successful 24 year
career in the British Army, in The Corps of Royal Engineers. I have over 18 years of
practical experience in training and development. My career has involved many
different types of teaching and learning, ranging from skills training and assessment
of military Engineering students, to Leadership and Management training of both,
Junior and Senior non Commissioned Officers, as well as Junior Commissioned
Officers. I have also been heavily involved in, and gained a great deal of experience
of the training needs analysis process and subsequent course design. My current work
is quite varied, and ranges from advising the management on strategic planning of
training courses, designing specific training courses, through to actually delivering the
training itself and assessing students after the training has taken place.

I have realised that I have a real passion for training and development specifically
teaching and learning for adult learners. 6 years of employment, in an International
setting, has increased my interest in furthering my formal education, and studying at a
higher level in the field of training and development.
 I would now like to continue to learn more of the theory to underpin my practical
experience. I have conducted a great deal of research on courses that are available via
distance learning. This is the most suitable option, as it has the flexibility that I am
looking for as I have a full time job and work overseas. The course content of the
Human resource management BSC focuses perfectly on my area of interest. The
ability to progress from the Certificate level, to the Diploma level and finally the BSC
programme is particularly appealing. I will particularly look forward to applying the
knowledge and skills I gain directly into my work.

Although, I am a very disciplined, self motivated, and have the maturity to set myself
goals and achieve them. It will still be a challenge to manage my time effectively to
complete assignments by the required deadline, and finish the course in the allocated
time. I am sure that I will not be the only student on the course that feels that this is
the biggest obstacle to studying that will need to be overcome.