Certificate in Personnel Practice for volunteer managers

The Certificate in Personnel Practice (CPP) is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Those who completed the course qualified for ‘Associate’ membership of the CIPD.

How the programme was delivered:

The programme involved:

• 10 days workshop attendance (two blocks of five days that are four months apart)
• Approximately eight months duration in total
• Three written assignments and two skills assessments

Who it was suitable for:

The programme was suitable for:

• Those new to volunteer management, and seeking to develop key skills and knowledge
• Those responsible for delivery of volunteering programmes who are seeking formal recognition of their experience with a professional body
• Those preparing for a new role in volunteer management
• Both paid staff and volunteers with responsibility for managing volunteers (NB it is also suitable for those responsible for managing both volunteers and paid staff)

Resources issued

• All professional training & assessment
• Course materials
• Telephone help-line
• On-line resources
• A CIPD accredited qualification
• Initial life-time registration with the CIPD
• Enthusiasm and encouragement

Assessment

There were no exams, and the course was assessed through:

• Two written assignments (2000 words)
• Two skills assignments (completed during the workshops)
• A management report (3500 words)
• A management report proposal (relating to above report)

All work was assessed by Attend Academy. The CIPD also moderated a selection of written assignments, although this was to monitor marking standards, and did not affect the original mark awarded to students.

Read what those completing the programmes have said

What was the nature of the support provided?

The tutor was supportive, professional and gave good assistance with assignments.

Feedback always prompt and assistance constructive and useful.

Relationships formed with other delegates during the workshops proved to be an invaluable support.

The out-of-hours contact was particularly useful as not easy for me to study between 9 & 5.

How relevant was the CIPD course?

Each subject area was directly linked to managing volunteers.

The course helped me to validate some areas of volunteer management and develop others.

It was useful to understand the HR remit and its interface with volunteers.

What was it like doing the assignments?

It was initially daunting but amazed by the results!

Each assignment has changed working practices in some way.

Because the assignments had to be tailored to my own situation, it allowed time to focus on relevant current issues.

I have found my ability to write report has been developed as the course progressed.

Has the course helped to develop volunteer management practices?

I have been able introduce volunteer reviews in a way that has been welcomed by volunteers.

We are becoming more inclusive and positively celebrate the diversity of volunteers.

Volunteer interviews are much more focused now and we are more able to select appropriate volunteers, which has resulted in better retention.

The course has helped to reinforced where good practice was already in place.

Were there any unexpected benefits?

I found that I was taken more seriously by colleagues, partly due to involving them in research I was doing to feed the assignments.

The qualification is respected and practical nature of the management report raised my profile with staff.

I found I was taken more seriously when job-hunting.