Companies turn towards training employees to stave off recession
U21Global introduces cost-effective solutions to enhance and reinvigorate workplace skills
The financial meltdown has forced many businesses across the globe to explore ways to rein in costs but an increasing number of companies are also actively leveraging on more cost-effective training strategies to empower their workforce and meet the challenges of the recession effectively.
U21Global, the world’s premier online Graduate School, has noted that more and more businesses were turning their attention towards online learning tools that can prepare their employees to remain productive in order to adapt to the fast changing global market.
Nick Hutton, CEO of U21Global, said, “Despite tough times, businesses are keen to invest in skills and training to ensure that they are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities when the global economic conditions improve. Online learning is cost-effective and maximises the return on investment for companies and in addition, provide employees the benefits of being able to ‘earn and learn’ at the same time.”
In today’s fast-paced global economy, remaining competitive becomes an imperative to individuals as well as corporations, Hutton added. Quality online education has gained traction in corporations and by professionals as a cost-effective and flexible way to learn new skills for the knowledge economy.
Hutton was speaking at the launch of the Global Management Development Series for corporate clients. Uniquely tailored to meet the needs of both organisations and their employees, the modular framework of the Global Management Development Series provides specially designed and highly focused courseware to meet the specific learning outcomes identified with clients.
“We designed the Global Management Development Series with the needs of corporates and their employees in mind, which include the delivery of immediate benefits through enhanced management skills, and minimal time away from their job responsibilities,” he added.
With an inventory of 78 modules in 13 management areas of study and a flexible delivery system, the courses extend the opportunity to people wishing to upgrade their skills while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Students can choose to take a specific module that is of interest or mix modules to address their specific development gaps. With this flexibility, they can ‘mix and match’ educational modules according to their needs and interest areas. This enables them to maximise their management potential in order to meet their career aspirations.
Alternatively, students can also opt to study for a professional certificate in specific disciplines. For example, a Certificate in Management will be awarded to participants who complete eight modules from at least three different areas of study. Other specialised certificates are available for participants who complete six specified modules.
Commencing in the first quarter of 2009, the Global Management Development Series is a fully integrated online programme. Students can access courseware materials 24 hours a day and study at any time that suits them. The virtual classroom environment is facilitated and mentored by a professor who will guide students through the interactive learning process. Students are also encouraged to share their work experiences and views with other students in the class via the online discussion boards.
“Our online courseware materials are written by experts in their fields and enhanced through an instructional design process. As a consequence, the curriculum is interactive, engaging and media-rich. It provides a learning environment that encourages students to become an active agent in the learning process under the guidance of the faculty member,” Hutton concluded.
The course will increase participants' abilities to gain and use knowledge, improve communication skills and enhance problem-defining and problem-solving skills. In fact, the online classroom and online teamwork activities mirror the modern workplace, where people interact in diverse virtual and global teams on a variety of real-life problems and projects.
