HE Management Learning for the Building Services Engineering sector
LEAD ORGANISATION
ADDITIONAL ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED
University of Reading (School of Construction Management and Engineering)
PROJECT SUMMARY
This project, led by Moving Ambition in partnership with the University of Reading, aimed to tackle the identified deficit in customised management training at MSc level by developing a validated management module bespoke to the Building Services Engineering sector. It was agreed by the University that this would be presented as an option within the established and popular MSc in Intelligent Buildings, as well as being capable of being delivered as a stand-alone programme of learning for those meeting experience criteria of work within the sector. The impetus for this module arose from the earlier joint HE/industry conference Building Bridges, which had identified a need for contextualised learning to improve management and supervisory skills in the Building Services Engineering sector.
An Industry Advisory Group was established, drawn from different industries within the sector. It was seen as essential that the membership of this group should comment authoritatively on proposed outline content, delivery mechanisms and methods associated with accreditation in order to maximise the legitimacy and credibility of the finished work.
The completed full MSc module award, based upon 10 credits, is dependent upon a minimum of a 50 per cent pass in a one hour open book test at the end of the course period, and satisfactory completion within six weeks of a maximum 2500 word industrial assignment that relates to management and supervisory processes and procedures within the sector. Where possible, it is seen as desirable that assignment work should be tailored to the employment situation and circumstances of the candidate.
IMPACT
The module development is now complete and the anticipated start date is June 2011. The aim is for analysis of participant feedback to be completed in late summer 2011 with adjustments made by the University in time for marketing at least one or more running of the programme in the 2011/12 academic year.
As of January 2011 the module is going through the University of Reading's internal accreditation process. Marketing of the module has been delayed until the accreditation process is complete. The partners are committed to a further joint meeting to assist such planning and agree draft copy to be used in both e-literature and print. ECA, HVCA, CIBSE and SummitSkills have already committed their communication channels to help support marketing activity being planned by the partners.
Richard Allen, Chief Executive of Moving Ambition, presented work in progress on the project at meetings of the Careers and Diversity Strategic Advisory Committee during 2010. The important UK membership of this group expressed great enthusiasm for the work tackled and thanked partners for their continuing efforts to produce an outcome that would be of value to the whole sector.
All involved in this project are convinced that the work completed will be of major assistance to Building Services Engineering employers and employees in addressing key issues that have been previously stated as holding back professionalism and both effectiveness and efficiency in the sector. Industry representatives have been keen to work with and assist the partners in establishing common ground and a benchmark for necessary proficiency.