The field of human resources is going from strength to strength in Malta, with 37 employees from a variety of organisations in both the public and private sector recently completing one of the courses offered by the Centre for Labour Market Studies (CLMS) at Leicester University through the Foundation for Human Resources Development (FHRD). The qualifications gained included a doctorate, 12 master’s degrees and six BSc degrees. “Thirty-seven is a remarkable number for a small island like Malta” said FHRD’s new president Annika Galea at the graduation ceremony.

After 11 years, the CLMS/FHRD tandem is still the market leader in providing human resources management professionals through a wide range of programmes that address the different needs of individuals who wish to qualify in this field. FHRD is pivotal in Malta for encouraging students, both those already in employment and those who wish to change career for one in HR development. These professionals will be able to develop and implement programmes that eventually provide their staff with knowledge that is crucial for business success. In fact, FHRD president highlighted the fact that their expertise “will provide opportunities in all sectors of the economy, as it is needed in all spheres of business”.

CLMS lecturer Dr Glynn Williams, who presided over the ceremony, said that Maltese students are among the best in comparison with the rest of the world and FHRD has been doing sterling work in the way it assists them through the process of qualification in the best manner possible. In fact, the prestigious Ashton prize awarded by the Centre for Labour Market Studies was awarded to Christine Coleiro, who was also acknowledged at the ceremony. Incidentally, Christine is one of the newly elected members of the FHRD board of directors.

Achieving such a qualification goes beyond simple academic recognition, as the following comments from some of the graduates reveal:

“Career-wise, I feel that my qualification has already helped. When I left my job in banking after 20 years, it was really a leap in the dark. After two years, I already have a diploma in HR and I am working as an HR assistant. Having work experience made so much difference to my studying, as I was able to put the theory into practice and vice versa”, recalled Christine Gambin, who received a diploma in HR Management.

“During the ceremony I felt so proud and all the effort and hard work as a mother, wife and full time employee was repaid. Achieving this diploma will certainly open new opportunities, having worked as a personal assistant for many years”, said Karen Coppini, who also received a diploma in HR Management.

“My qualification helps me in my current role as Franchise manager to understand people and develop my teams and obviously I hope that it will help me to advance in my career in the future. Furthermore, during the ceremony I thought that having my children paying attention to me at the ceremony showed them the importance of studying”, stated Shandelle Azzopardi, Graduate in the Diploma in HR Manager.

“Despite all the difficulties involved in being a wife, a mother, a housekeeper, a daughter taking care of her elderly parents, a full-time employee and a BSc student, obtaining an excellent result at BSc level has motivated me to continue my studies. As Benjamin Franklin said: ‘If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest’. After finishing my MSc I aspire to one day running my own business. I am sure that all the hard work will eventually pay a good dividend”, said Bronia Farrugia, who graduated with a BSc (Hons) in HR Management.

“Achieving a distinction in an MSc in Human Resource Development and Performance Management was a great success. I consider training to be very important and this MSc was a real challenge, since it delved into various human resource topics – in particular, how to measure employee performance. Achieving the Ashton prize for best student on a CLMS distance-learning course crowned my achievement”, said Christine Coleiro, who graduates with an MSc in Human Resource Development and is member of the FHRD Board.

Ms Rosetta Thornhill was presented with the Louis Naudi Award for her outstanding performance in her Master’s studies. The award is made every year to the master’s degree student who has distinguished him or herself in his or her studies and dissertation. “Obtaining the master’s degree in Human Resources Development and Performance Management was indeed a challenge for me, and I vividly recall the countless sleepless nights. But now, receiving the qualification and most especially the ‘Louis Naudi Award’, is the crowning of the efforts that I made” said Ms Thornhill, after receiving the award. She said that she felt a sense of satisfaction and the definite realisation that, sooner or later, hard work bears fruit. The support of her family, which was evident during the ceremony, was another reason for Rosetta staying the course.

Mr Claude Abela was awarded a bursary to continue his studies after he was named as the best student at diploma level.