The MSc Human Resource Management programme aims to equip learners with a robust theoretical framework for careers in human resource management and, at the same time, provide students with an opportunity to gain insights into practice-focused human resource practice across a wide range of management contexts and sectors.
The MSc Human Resource Management Enhancement Programme has been developed over six years to offer closer student engagement with a wide range of organisational contexts in the field of HR practice, with a focus on the professional, cultural and social dimensions of their experience.
This year in 2022-22, dual teaching methods have been applied for the enhancement programme through inviting guest lecturers from different organisations to engage on matters of HR Practice with HRM students.
Following the session by Hannah in the Morrinson Wealth Wellbeing, Kashif Taj, who is the senior manager and the Lead and Prevent Deputy of the IBM Apprenticeships and the IBM Early Professional Programmes in the UK Foundation, has delivered another guest lecture on Thursday, 4th November, which provided significant inputs on HR issues from practical contexts to the students in their Human Resource Practice 2 module. The lecture included an overview of IBM, especially on the value and organisational culture, the introduction on the New Collar and Apprenticeships Programmes, and IBM’s recruitment process.
After the session, Kashif Taj has shared his reflection on the lecture
It’s now been my 3rd year as a guest lecturer for The University of Manchester MSc Human Resource Management course. I delivered my lecture to 70 students on how apprenticeships meet the digital skills gap and how we have implemented this strategy at IBM, which is part of our wider New-Collar initiative.
I was impressed by the engagement from the students and the thought-provoking questions they asked me! It was an excellent opportunity to reach out to such an international audience to explain #UK #apprenticeships as it’s the first time many of them had come across such an initiative. Thank you for inviting me yet again, Lujia Feng!
Student representatives of the MSc HRM (ID) Programme also gave positive feedback and reflection on their experience of the lecture.
Pacharapong Kumjumpa from MSc HRM (ID) reflected on the session that:
I find the sessions from our guest speakers practical, informative and inspiring. They gave us a comprehensive picture to effectively promote employee well-being. At IBM, they cherish diversity in various aspects such as age, gender, educational and occupational background because of the value in the real capability of employees as human beings. What draws my attention the most is how IBM positions itself as a future-oriented company. In other words, they have never stopped improving and embracing their priceless workforce. The apprenticeship programme that Kash introduced to us is very interesting and applicable to the HR concepts we learned from the modules. However, to have more time in these lectures would be great and even more beneficial to us. I want to thank you, Lujia and our guest speakers for these opportunities. I will also highly recommend them to other students and apply what I learned in the future.
Chenxi Guo from MSc HRM (ID) gave this feedback:
This lecture gave a clear introduction to IBM, and I am sure that no one would not be interested in IBM and would not like to work for them after this lecture. At the same time, it will be an inspiration for our recruitment process. It was a comprehensive presentation on both sides: the dos and don’ts. IBM set an example for our future recruitment efforts. It not only did not discriminate against candidates for their previous unrelated work but also inspired the criteria we measured candidates move from present-day capabilities to future potential. All the managers involved in recruitment should take IBM as an example and reflect on their recruitment criteria and screening practices and thus make improvements.
After the session of IBM, we knew the current challenges faced by IBM. By understanding IBM’s recruitment and selection mechanism regarding apprenticeship, we were inspired to think about how to develop recruitment and selection criteria for diverse talent in the future. It is really good to know the impact, not only in the business but also the social aspect, that they made from the apprenticeship programme. Their vision and process to get there have been valuable learning for me to think on the relevant approach for talent hiring in my future organisation. Thank you for sharing ideas and insight on the session.
Again to our colleague Kashif Taj, many thanks for the great lecture. We are happy to have been able to work together with you for the past three years. Your session on IBM is the most popular topic, which our students choose to write their assignments about. This year, the students again enjoyed the presentation. They appreciated your efforts, especially on the HR issues, including diversity management, equity and the classic debate between ‘academic degree’ and ‘fitness for the organisations’. We look forward to our further cooperation in the future!
- Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash