Formal off-the-job learning is an integral part of the two-year MDS programme, and is also available to those who may wish to further develop their existing young managers by integrating the MDS elements into their own in-house training scheme. This opportunity is available to both member and non-member companies.
The education programme is linked to day-to-day business needs, and comprises three one-week courses run in association with the Dove Nest Group, a leading provider of management development training, as well as a number of two-day seminars specifically developed for MDS.
The areas covered are topical and directly relevant, including communication skills, leadership, team building, financial awareness, process analysis, problem solving, negotiation skills and employment law.
Spread over 25 days, the courses are structured to complement the secondments and provide trainees and other attendees with skills and techniques which can be applied back in the workplace. It is a comprehensive and well-designed programme with the option to study for a formal qualification through the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
An established pool of tutors is supported by former MDS trainees who return occasionally as guest speakers to share their experiences and inspire the next generation of young managers. One of these is Darren Huxtable, an MDS trainee from 1997-1999, who now works as procurement manager for Exotic Farm Produce; in his previous post with another company he was the MDS secondment manager so he has seen the programme from all sides.
Huxtable believes the off-the-job training to be of equal importance to the practical secondments. “It starts off with fun activities to build inter-personal skills and team building but the pace hots up over the two years,” he says. “While some of the tasks can be quite daunting they are structured in such a way that we are gaining in confidence and knowledge all the time so it’s not a problem. The tutors are experienced and approachable so trainees can ask questions and I know just how they feel because I’ve been in that position myself.
“One of the key messages for trainees is that MDS is a unique opportunity to learn about an interesting and challenging industry. It’s not always easy and at times they might get despondent, but it’s an excellent programme and will give them a real step up into their career.”
Dani Rossington, manager of MDS, says Darren’s enthusiasm and support was typical of former trainees and tutors, all of whom are highly-respected in their own field. “We are constantly reviewing and evolving the content of our off-the-job training to ensure it meets the needs of the changing business environment. The courses are inter-active and designed to support a staged move up to managing people, matching theory and practice to ensure there are no gaps.”
To achieve this objective, MDS works in close partnership with Dove Nest, an experiential development centre set up 25 years ago in the Lake District. Today, expertise is in demand around the world, sharing management principles and best practice to help others achieve the same level of success, says Rossington.
Dove Nest regional director Jim Hick paid tribute to the MDS concept and its hands-on approach to training. “The calibre and quality of MDS trainees is excellent, which is a credit to the recruitment process,” he says.
“MDS is an unparalleled development programme,” he adds. “There are several stages over the two years, all of which are very business-focused and work related which benefits the member companies as well as the trainees.”
In addition to its own well-proven and successful programme, MDS is accredited as a satellite centre for the CMI and trainees are offered the opportunity of completing the institute’s Level 4 Diploma in Management, combining the best of management theory and practice. Successful candidates can then continue their studies for a post-graduate diploma followed by a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) which can be undertaken at a later date with MDS support.
Trainee Anton Surai, now in his fourth secondment, as a quality assessor with Barfoot’s of Botley, is following this option and has just completed the fifth of six assignments that count towards the Level 4 qualification. “I wish I had started earlier as I’m having to complete two years work in half the time, but I am learning new things as well as reinforcing some of the principles already covered,” he says. “Finding time is a challenge and I have to motivate myself sometimes when I’d rather be going out - but I’m doing OK.”
Surai hopes that having this additional qualification on his CV will “help [him] stand out from the crowd’ when it comes to applying for a job. “It’s taken me in a slightly different direction and given me a lot more to think about in terms of modifying my behaviour and my approach with people. It’s made me realise you don’t have to be a genius to be a good manager - it’s about personal behaviour, about listening and using feedback positively.”
COURSES OPEN TO ALL
MDS off-the-job training is available to member and non-member companies who may wish to integrate some or all of the segments into their own in-house training for existing young managers.
Starting with a two-day induction, the modular programme comprises three week-long courses and four two-day seminars.
Trainees and others learn how to take on the responsibilities of a manager within a business, improve their own and others’ performance, manage people appropriately regardless of circumstance, communicate effectively and understand and manage change. Go to www.mds-ltd.co.uk
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