KTP Training for Associates Guide. The document is primarily designed for KTP Advisers, Supervisors and partner organisations

Transcription

1 KTP Training for Associates Guide The document is primarily designed for KTP Advisers, Supervisors and partner organisations November 2012

2 Contents 1 Introduction Ashorne Hill Management College Design Considerations Programme Structure How Associates register onto the KTP Residential Modules E-learning Content Personal Development Plan (PDP) Residential Modules Consolidation Exercise Cohort size Residential Modules Venue Learning Groups and Learning Log Accreditation Role of the KTP Adviser... 14

3 1 Introduction Welcome to the KTP Associate Training programme. This programme applies to all KTP Associates registering on or after July 1 st Associates on longer KTPs (12 to 36 months) will undertake the full training programme, including the residential modules. Those on shorter KTPs (less than 12 months) will continue with online training based on the existing provision. This guide will describe the key features of the training and clarify the differences between the new version and the previous programme. We will also be adding new sections from time to time based on questions and issues that arise as the programme rolls out. The document is primarily designed for KTP Advisers, Supervisors and partner organisations to help you understand the programme structure, but it will also assist you in answering any questions that KTP Associates may have about the training element of their projects. 2 Ashorne Hill Management College The KTP training will be managed by the KTP Office at Ashorne Hill Management College. Ashorne Hill is located in 35 acres of landscaped grounds and is a Grade II-listed mansion house on a site dating back to the Domesday Book, Ashorne offers a relaxed yet business-focused environment highly conducive to learning and networking. With 17 main training rooms, 23 syndicate rooms, 113 en suite bedrooms, sports and leisure facilities, Ashorne is the ideal setting for residential training programmes. Ashorne is located within a mile of Junction 13/14 of the M40 motorway and within 5 miles of the cross-country rail station at Leamington Spa - with Birmingham International Airport just 25 miles away. To find us by Sat Nav just enter CV33 9QW as your destination. If you have any questions please contact the KTP Programme Coordinator or Programme Director, who will be able to handle your enquiry. Mrs Yasmine Shilton Programme Coordinator ktp.office@ashornehill.co.uk Mr Terry Gordon Programme Director terry.gordon@ashornehill.co.uk

4 3 Design Considerations The KTP Programme is designed to: Provide comprehensive support to KTP Associates Cater for a broad range of learning styles Equip Associates with skills and knowledge that employers want Add value for both the Associate and the KTP partner Help Associates to manage their projects more effectively Help Associates to integrate into the work environment Prepare Associates for their future careers Provide a more flexible route to an accredited qualification Provide an opportunity for networking and mutual support Meet the National Occupational Standards for managers The programme combines both e-learning and residential training elements to cover six core themes that we believe are the most critical areas of skill and knowledge required by KTP Associates. These are: Working in a Team Project Management Skills Leadership and Management Skills Communication Skills (General and Interpersonal) Commercial Awareness (Marketing, Finance and Resource Management) Health and Safety Awareness

5 4 Programme Structure The programme consists of two residential modules enhanced and supported by e-learning material. Each residential module begins on Sunday evening and finishes on Thursday (4.5 days for each residential module). This reduces the amount of time that Associates have to spend away from their projects to 8 days (excluding Sunday evening), as opposed to 12 days on the previous programmes. All the training will also take place within 20 weeks of the project start date, with the most projectcritical skills being delivered within the first 5 weeks. This maximises the benefits of the training for both the Associate and the KTP partner. The content of the programme has been split into three broad delivery categories e-learning, residential training, and a consolidation exercise. Elements of the six core themes are delivered using a combination of all three. The content of each of these delivery categories is described in more detail on the following pages. In simple terms the programme is structured as follows: Associate starts the KTP project and registers on a training cohort Associate undertakes induction and some online study prior to residential module 1 Residential module 1 Associate undertakes some online study prior to residential module 2 Residential module 2 Project work and accreditation (if appropriate)

6 The table below provides a more detailed breakdown of the structure, with a timeline for all the key activities. Week 1 Commencement of KTP Project Weeks 1 to 4 Sign into the KTP Portal and locate the KTP Training Site Read the KTP Associate Guide and Welcome online Complete the Personal Development Plan Complete the Prior to Residential Module 1 requirements online Week 5 Residential Module 1 (4.5 days) Learning Log Weeks 6-18 Meeting/s with KTP Adviser to discuss project progress, Learning Logs and action plans * Complete the Prior to Residential Module 2 requirements online Discuss qualification options at LMC, where appropriate Week 19 Residential Module 2 (4.5 days) Learning Log Weeks Meet with KTP Adviser to discuss project progress and action plans Work on assignments for those doing an accredited qualification Week 27 onwards Meetings with KTP Adviser to discuss project progress and action plans Work on assignments for those doing an accredited qualification * Some KTP Advisers may have already had the first meeting with Associates during weeks 1-4

7 4.1 How Associates register onto the KTP Residential Modules Every Associate on a longer KTP project (12 to 36 months) must attend 2 residential modules and will also be required to do some online study. If an Associate is to be exempt from the residential modules, Advisers/Supervisors must notify the KTP Office at Ashorne Hill Management College. The registration process for residential modules at Ashorne Hill is as follows: Each new Associate is given access details to the KTP Portal from TSB once the University has registered the Associate New Associate details are entered onto the KTP Portal Database on a regular basis The KTP Office at Ashorne Hill obtains the database through the KTP Portal and can locate all new Associates as they are entered onto the KTP Portal The KTP Office at Ashorne Hill will send a Welcome directly to the Associates regarding the residential modules, usually within five weeks of the project start date Associates are given a selection of Cohort dates to choose from and are requested to respond to the KTP Office at Ashorne Hill The KTP Office at Ashorne Hill responds with an confirming the selected Residential Module Cohort and dates Associates are not able to register for their residential module through the KTP Portal or Training Site. The KTP Office at Ashorne Hill will contact each Associate directly once their details have been entered onto the KTP Portal.

8 4.2 E-learning Content The e-learning component of the training contains content which, whilst important for Associates to know, is primarily about giving information and is relatively easy to understand. When delivered on the residential modules, this content does not tend to elicit many questions from the Associates. Their understanding of these areas can also be easily checked online by using interactive exercises and short assessments, included as part of the e-learning process. The required elements of the training that are delivered and assessed online are: Prior to Residential Module 1: Topic Read KTP Associate Guide Administration (register for residential modules, setup online profile) Complete Personal Development Plan Complete Belbin questionnaire Complete Leadership Questionnaire Complete Listening Styles Questionnaire E-learning module on Health and safety E-learning module on Presentation Skills Total time involved Approximate Time 60 minutes 30 minutes 60 minutes 30 minutes 15 minutes 15 Minutes 30 minutes 30 minutes 4.5 hours Prior to Residential Module 2: Topic E-learning module on Change Management E-learning module on Managing information E-learning module on Decision Making E-learning module on Quality Management E-book on Business Simulation guidance and instructions Total time involved Approximate Time 40 minutes 40 minutes 40 minutes 30 minutes 30 minutes 3 hours The timings are approximate, depending on the rate of progress of individual Associates. Any required elements covered online will be reviewed briefly at appropriate points during the residential modules and used as the basis for a discussion leading into the main topic and associated team-based exercises. In addition to the required e-learning material, Associates will also have access to a wealth of optional reading and study modules covering areas that are relevant to management in general, but not covered in detail during the programme. This material will be useful for those who are intending to undertake a CMI qualification or who simply want to investigate specific areas in more depth.

9 4.3 Personal Development Plan (PDP) The PDP (Personal Development Plan) allows Associates to plan for acquiring and developing the knowledge and skills required to work effectively on their KTP project and to plan for their future career. It covers areas such as long term aspirations and the skills and knowledge required to achieve them, technical knowledge and skills required on the project and general management skills that will help Associates both now and in the future. One of the first steps as an Associate is to log on to the KTP Training Site and locate and download the PDP. As soon as Associates have made a first attempt at drafting the PDP, it is important that they discuss it with their Company Supervisor, Academic Supervisor and KTP Adviser who will be able to offer them advice. We advise Associates to discuss their PDP progress at the LMC meetings. Associates should also bring the PDP along with them to the first residential training module, where they may want to modify it based on what they have learnt. A copy of the PDP and guidelines for its completion is available as a separate document. 4.4 Residential Modules The residential modules are an essential part of the Associates overall experience and provide an opportunity for networking, peer support, knowledge sharing and practical application of learning and skills. The content of these modules covers themes that tend to evoke discussion or that are best learnt through group activities, experiential learning and interaction with the trainers and other Associates. These modules also contain topics, such as marketing, where the diversity of organisations and sectors represented among the KTP Associates naturally stimulates a lot of discussion and exchange of ideas. Another key area that benefits from residential delivery is finance, where those who have a natural grasp of the subject provide excellent support to those who are less comfortable with financial concepts. The residential modules have been designed in such a way that the areas that are most directly relevant to the success of the Associate projects are delivered during the first residential module. In most cases this will mean that they have acquired a range of communication, general and project management skills within five weeks of the project start date.

10 Summary timetables for residential modules one and two are shown below. More detailed timetables are also available on the KTP Training portal. Residential Module One Content Summary Sunday evening Introductions, programme overview and learning group formation Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Introduction to KTP Working in teams Project management Conflict management Influencing skills Communication Skills Leadership and management Motivating others Time management Consolidation exercise in teams Managing resources Health and safety Learning groups Learning groups Learning groups Learning groups Assignment briefing Residential Module Two Content Summary Sunday evening Learning groups review what has happened between modules Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Internal/external environment Marketing exercise Financial concepts Analysis of accounts Business simulation Business strategy Marketing presentations Final presentations Business simulation Simulation review Marketing Financial concepts Capital and budgeting Learning groups Learning groups Learning groups Learning groups Assignment briefing

11 4.5 Consolidation Exercise The third element of the training, also delivered residentially, is the business simulation. This takes place at the end of the second residential module and consolidates the learning from all the previous content. As well as covering commercial areas such as finance, marketing and international business, the simulation also gives Associates an opportunity for the practical application of: Team dynamics Leadership and Management Conflict Management Influencing Skills Communication Data and Information Management Decision making Planning Problem solving Staff motivation Project Management Managing Information Resource Management Time management PESTLE and SWOT The simulation demonstrates how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together and Associates gain an excellent understanding of the dynamics of how organisations work and the importance of and integrated nature of all the business functions. This in turn helps them to appreciate the importance of their own projects to the success of the partner organisation. There is also a smaller scale consolidation exercise at the end of residential module 1. 5 Cohort size The recommended maximum cohort size is 25 Associates, with a minimum of 15 per cohort. Larger cohort sizes would have a detrimental effect on individual learning and on the overall experience of the KTP Associates. 6 Residential Modules Venue All of the residential training modules are held at Ashorne Hill, which is near Leamington Spa in Warwickshire, just off the M40. The address is: Ashorne Hill Management College Ashorne Hill Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV33 9QW Tel To find us by Sat Nav, just enter the postcode.

12 7 Learning Groups and Learning Log One of the new themes on the programme is the introduction of learning groups. These groups are established on the Sunday evening of the first residential module by randomly putting Associates together into groups of 4 or 5. These learning groups then remain constant throughout the programme. The reason for putting the groups together randomly, is to discourage cliques from forming within the cohort and to foster a wide range of project and cultural integration. Depending on the composition of the cohort and their project backgrounds, the trainer may feel that it is more appropriate to group people on similar projects together. This would be discussed with the cohort during the first evening. During the residential modules, the learning groups meet at the end of each day to discuss the key learning points from the day and individual development and action points. Individuals are also asked to complete a Learning Log, detailing the key learning points from each day and how these can be applied back at work. A short summary of the results of these learning group meetings is fed back at the start of the following day. At the end of each module the learning groups review their Learning Logs for the week and complete individual final action plans, detailing specific areas for development and actions to be taken when they return to their projects. They give feedback to each other on strengths and potential areas for development. They also coach each other through any issues they may have relating to the implementation of these plans. The action plans may also form the basis of discussions between the Associate and their KTP Adviser and can be used to update their PDP. A copy of the Learning Log is available on the KTP Training Portal. Based on our experience of using learning groups on other programmes that we run, we have found that by the end of the programme these groups have formed very strong bonds and often continue to network and keep in touch long after the course has ended. As well as support, learning groups also provide A mechanism for exchanging ideas and learning about other projects An excellent opportunity to establish strong, enduring networks A social and support network that extends well beyond the KTP programme A solid basis for the growth of an alumni network The online support provided through KTP knowledge will allow members of a particular cohort to communicate with each other and to share ideas, ask for help, post questions, chat online, share documents, etc.

13 8 Accreditation Although the achievement of an accredited qualification is no longer a mandatory part of the KTP training, it is appropriate to discuss the range of alternatives available to Associates who might like to follow the option of obtaining a CMI level 5 qualification in management. The Ashorne trainers will briefly cover this during the residential modules and the process is fully described in the online materials. However, KTP Advisers and Supervisors may still be asked about the qualification options and will be involved in the final decision as to whether this is appropriate. Please note that Associates who do decide to go for the CMI level 5 will be required to pay for this from their own personal development budget and this requires prior approval of the Partnership LMC. Associates will also have to get permission from their LMC before they can register for a qualification. This will require filling in a qualification request form (available on the KTP Training website or from Ashorne Hill), which must be signed by the KTP Adviser. Depending on the needs of individual KTP Associates, there are four possible options. Training only, with endorsed certificate CMI Level 5 Award in Management CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management A copy of the CMI Qualifications Guide is available on the KTP Training Portal.

14 9 Role of the KTP Adviser Of all the stakeholder groups involved in KTP, the Advisers probably have more direct experience of dealing with Associates than any other group. As such, the role of the KTP Adviser is critical in supporting the development of the Associates towards the achievement of their goals. Specifically, this ensures that the Associates are able to complete their projects. The Learning Logs contain a lot of detail about the areas that Associates have covered on the programme, with each Associate identifying key learning points and a series of specific actions to help them apply this knowledge to their projects and the work environment in general. These can be used during discussions with the KTP Advisers and can also be incorporated into the Associates PDPs. We encourage KTP Advisers to include a discussion around these points during their coaching and mentoring sessions prior to the LMC meeting and also to provide additional coaching and mentoring to help the Associates to become better leaders and managers based on these action points. This will also involve getting feedback from the KTP partner at the LMC meeting and, where necessary, modifying the PDP to better reflect the Associate s current situation. However, we do not wish to present the Advisers with a tightly defined system. Rather, these are suggestions that we feel will assist both the Associate and the adviser. The system will then evolve from the ensuing discussions, building on the experience that the Advisers already bring to the programme. The current ratio of approximately one coaching and mentoring session every four months seems to work well. We would hope that all the Associates will have had at least one meeting with their adviser before the start of residential module 2, in month five of their project.