Press Release
Open University success for Community Care staff
From left to right: Christine Ferguson - Director Community Care, Martin Friel - Open University, Angela Jackson, Rachel Kemp, Janne Glesnes-Martin, Emma Spence, Lorraine Duncan, Elizabeth Irvine, Joyce Leask, Debbie Swan, Gail Bray - Training Manager and Derek Goldman - OU Tutor (missing from picture Laura Herculson). Photo by Dale Smith.
Nine members of staff from Community Care have successfully completed the Open University (OU) Business School course in ‘Managing in the Workplace’.
The six month course involved distance learning with some tutorials delivered in Shetland and covered subject such as budgeting, marketing and leadership, management and motivation. A presentation ceremony was held at Islesburgh for the successful students who completed the qualification to meet Scottish Social Services Council registration requirements.
Angela Jackson, a Senior Social Care Worker from Overtonlea Care Centre found the course very interesting and was glad of the support provided by the OU and colleagues:
“Studying while working full time is a real commitment, so it was really helpful being able to speak to others about the course, both in person and online. Through the forums we could discuss any issues we had with students from different areas of expertise and get a feel for how different organisations manage in the workplace.
“If you haven’t studied formally since leaving school or university, the prospect of a six month course can be quite daunting, but the OU were really supportive and helped us all to identify how we study and what works best for us.
“My husband was also a constant reassurance and supplier of coffee and never complained when my early mornings or free time was taken up with a book in my hand or tapping away on the laptop. He was a proof reader and sometimes critic, so I would say to anyone undertaking study your family is another vital source of support”.
Martin Friel, the OU Business School Module Chair for ‘Managing in the Workplace’ attended the presentation and praised the students for putting their learning into practice in the work place. He said:
“It was a pleasure and privilege for me to meet all the Shetland Islands Council students and to help celebrate their success.
“What was particularly striking about the students’ work was how well they were able to further enhance workplace performance using some of the ideas on the course.
“Well done to all the students and thank you to their managers for their support.”