Working with Professional Bodies - The Training Gateway Working with the membership of professional bodies Dr Ruth Herman Professional Development Manager, Business School 17 June

Professional Bodies – working with the membership Background (Concentration of business disciplines – does it vary for other professions?) What’s in it for the university How UHBS built up contacts Examples

Professional Bodies – working with the membership Professional bodies often split into two sections – Education and training – Run from HQ – In charge of awarding qualifications Membership section – Run by and for members

Membership Entirely separate from qualifications and training Run usually in regions and branches Committees run regions/branches Remit: – Recruit new members – Maintain membership – Provide events and added value for members

Access to students for projects Access to expert speakers Use of facilities – Bodies often have to pay for commercial accommodation Opportunities

UHBS Strategy Centres delivering qualifications have automatic membership (eg CMI offers 6) If possible become active member of own prof. body Attend meetings Offer facilities Become committee member (one often follows seamlessly on)

Examples Sponsorship of Herts Schools Business Challenge Day by Institute of Directors Regular venue for Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (and opened doors to run successful professional courses) Student branch for Chartered Management Institute Live clients for MBAs, Integrated Projects, recruitment opportunities for students

Downside Attendance at committee meetings (usually evening) Somebody has to maintain and manage overall relationships Labour intensive Working with committees can be hard work

Benefits Raises university profile in business community Provides opportunity to sell professional courses and services Access to members through newsletters and membership s Members often want to ‘give something back’ – Positively eager to Give guest lectures Provide case studies Judge student competitions

Conclusion Worthwhile exercise but needs to have somebody tasked with the role Need to be creative in what is offered For Business Schools is a natural extension of activities Will it work as well for other disciplines and professions?