DECEMBER 10, 1999
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THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA DECEMBER 10, 1999 |
| The men and women who manage the federal government’s employment and benefits programs in B.C. and the Yukon will be able to upgrade their skills while staying behind their desks through a new management development program offered by UVic’s division of continuing studies.
An agreement between the division’s business and management programs, Human Resource Development Canada–B.C. and Yukon region (HRDC), and UVic’s school of public administration creates a two-year program aimed at mid-career managers. Participants do half of the program via distance learning and complete the remaining course work during two, two-week summer sessions on campus. The Modern Comptrollership Program was launched in November at UVic’s Dunsmuir Lodge educational conference and training centre,which also served as an orientation session for the program’s first intake of students. The program mirrors the management reform Treasury Board is encouraging in federal government departments, which expands managers’ focus from primarily financial matters to include a broader perspective. HRDC is among six federal departments chosen to pilot the program. Course content includes an exploration of the different institutions and organizations (political parties, the media, lobby groups, legislative bodies) HRDC managers encounter in conducting their work. It also examines the different arguments on a variety of value questions raised during the development of programs such as employment insurance and job training programs. Students will study management communications and accounting as well as program evaluation, research methods, risk management and business strategy. “UVic was able to attract this partnership because it was very responsive to HRDC’s needs and because the university is able to provide expertise in both business management and public administration,” says Rhordon Wikkramatileke, business and management programs director. “We’re looking forward to working with HRDC to deliver this very progressive and exciting human resource development initiative.” The first cohort of 40 students is expected to complete the program in July 2001. |