The Centre for Labour Market Studies (CLMS) is one of several centres at the University of Leicester actively involved in research and offering distance-learning courses.  Professor Lorna Unwin is the Director of the Centre for Labour Market Studies and her research interests are vocational education and training policy and practice; workplace learning; and professional development. Our emphasis is on the interdisciplinary approach we employ, drawing from the academic subjects of Sociology, Psychology, Public Administration, Management Studies, Economics, and Adult Education. 

The work at the Centre has its origins in research that was undertaken in the 1970s on school to work transitions.   Since then the Centre has widened its research activities into a broader range of labour market issues, notably training, vocational qualifications, unemployment, organisational structure and labour market segmentation.  The Centre has developed a strong international reputation for the quality of its research, and this research feeds directly into the course materials, thus ensuring that they are continuously updated.

In 1991, in response to demand from the training profession, the Centre launched a unique Masters degree course for trainers, the United Kingdom’s first postgraduate course to focus exclusively on training.  In subsequent years, two further Masters courses were developed, in Training & HRM and Training & Performance Management, in response to the changes taking place in the training and HR profession. The Centre now offers a range of distance learning courses at Doctorate, Masters, Diploma and Certificate levels, all of which are concerned with Human Resource Development.

2004 has brought further expansion to CLMS with the introduction of the first full-time and part-time course; the Masters degree in Researching Work and Learning which will have its first cohort of students starting in September.

Distance Learning courses

Doctorate in Work, Employment and Learning

The aim of this course is to produce a group of leading edge practitioners who have mastered the full range of the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for the conduct of their professional activities at the highest levels. The course will provide a thorough grasp of the theoretical foundations of the profession. This will include advanced theory from a number of different Social Science disciplines, e.g., sociology, economics, management science, the psychology of learning, sociology of education and education and training policy.

Areas covered: Advanced Research Methods Training, The Research Context, Thesis

MSc in Training/Training & HRM/Training & Performance Management

These courses will equip students with knowledge and skills relevant to the management of training and development through focusing on the role of Training/HRM at individual, enterprise, national and international level. The courses are designed to help explain and critically apply learning theories to the delivery of knowledge and development. Help individuals to identify the changes that have been occurring in organisations and critically evaluate the theories explaining these changes, and equip them with the knowledge to explain the changes in HRM/HRD in the world economy due to globalisation.

Areas covered: Employee Development & Training, Training & Development in Organisations, Managing Human Resources, Performance in Organisations, National Systems of Training & HRD, The International Context of Training & HRM, Dissertation 

Diploma in Training & Development/HRM

Designed to enhance student’s existing skills and knowledge of Training & Development and Human Resource Management through the application of theory to practice. These courses will help to provide the principles of learning to the practice of training delivery and explain the critical role of communication in encouraging work-related learning. Describe the factors that can influence the amount and type of training in organisations and explain the role of training policies. Finally, learn familiarity with different definitions of the term ‘culture’ and describe how national systems of VET vary between nations.

Areas covered: Study Skills and Personal Development, Organisational Behaviour & Employee Development, The Learning Process & the Practice of Training & Development, Management in Organisations, Training & Management Policy, Personnel and Human Resource Management, Training & Development or HRM project, Culture and the International Context

Certificate in Training Practice/HRM

These courses will equip students with knowledge and skills relevant to the practice of Training and Human Resource Management. They will provide individuals with the ability to explain the roles and responsibilities of those involved in training and how employment legislation can impact upon HR practices, and identify training needs and different methods for analysing training needs.

Areas covered: Introduction to Training & Development, Identification of Training Needs, Individual and Organisational Learning, Designing Learning Events, Human Resource Management and Employment Law, Performance Management and Job Design, Organisational Change and the Role of Human Resource Management & Training, Training Needs Analysis and Training in Organisations, Designing and Delivering Training, Assessment and Training Evaluation

Full-time/Part-time course

Masters in Researching Work and Learning

Students will gain knowledge and understanding of the social context of work and learning, and the skills to critique public policy in these fields. A thorough grounding is given in the knowledge, skills and craft of the professional researcher and will provide the analytical and investigative skills, which are increasingly important to a wide range of public and private sector organisations.

Areas covered: Theoretical Foundations to Researching Work and Learning: The Study of Work, Theoretical Foundations to Researching Work and Learning Processes, Advanced Research Training, Research Methods, Thesis/Institutional Research Placement Programme

For further information on the Centre and the courses please contact:

Sally Gatward

CLMS

7-9 Salisbury Road

Leicester

LE1 7QR

Tel 44 (0) 116 2525954

Email: sally.gatward@le.ac.uk

www.clms.le.ac.uk