UNISON Ulearn Northern Ireland

Targeted at: Any member
Duration: 20 weeks but no regular class
Qualification: Open University 10 credits

This is part of the Open University’s Openings programme which aims to introduce new people to the Open University, helping to develop study skills, knowledge and confidence. It is particularly useful for members who work shifts and cannot commit to a regular timetable, or members who have dependent care responsibilities which makes it difficult to attend classes.

Each Openings course lasts a maximum of 20 weeks and is supported by regular telephone contact with a tutor. Each learner will receive a core text, the course guide, one audio CD, one DVD and the assignment book and will work at their own speed. Learners will submit two assignments and can earn 10 credits for successful completion.

The Course

Understanding management is firstly about the role and behaviours of people who manage part or all of a working organisation. That doesn’t mean we assume that you are a manager, but if you are, the course represents a positive first step in your own professional development. Secondly, it is about how all of us can learn to better manage the various challenges we face in our work lives. These may be tasks or roles we are asked to perform in our place of work, or they may be to do with balancing the work and non-work aspects of our lives. And thirdly, the course is about getting you to clarify what you would like to accomplish in your future work life and to reflect on the possible ways you could manage it.

The course has four themes. The first considers the different experiences of management we may have, beginning with an examination of your own experiences of management compared to those of others, explored through a variety of case studies. We explore the work of managers and some of the ideas which can influence their approach to the job. The second theme is organisation. Here we explore both how the organisation of people is an important management activity and how the organisations we find ourselves working in provide a context for how we all manage our work. The third theme is self-management. We provide explanations of a number of techniques and ideas which can be used to help you manage in a wide variety of situations. The fourth and final theme is about how the management knowledge you have gained can be used for planning and assessing your future personal development related to work.

Courses run from February, June, September & November. You must be registered at least two weeks prior to course starting. . If you are interested in this course, please download an expression of interest form.