Two weeks ago, we ran a head-to-head debate between the CIPD and a member on
the value the institute provides to the profession. The debate continues…
Don’t devalue qualifications
Inevitably, Ralph Tribe’s views on CIPD research (HR Viewpoint, 4 March) did
cause me some pain – but then I suspect he set out to hurt. This was a pity
since I thought the essay he contributed to our research publication – The
Future of Careers – was rather good.
There is an aspect of his diatribe that should be considered, however. One
of the pleasures of my role is the opportunity to speak to meetings of students
who are working hard to secure CIPD qualifications. Large numbers of them are
studying part-time, and many carry family responsibilities on top of meeting
the demands of their jobs. They are an impressive bunch.
If such sour attacks by people who have already achieved their status
devalued the currency of a hard-earned qualification, it would truly be a dirty
day’s work.
Martyn Sloman
Learning, training and development adviser, CIPD
Claim of ‘unknown’ research is unfair
The assertion that the CIPD produces research that is unknown and
inaccessible really needs to be challenged.
I have been involved in teaching CIPD-accredited programmes, and examining,
validating and quality assuring them, for many years.
That experience means I can speak about practises in institutions across the
UK, and in every case I know of, CIPD research informs the curriculum and the
teaching of personnel professionals. The research therefore is known to and
accessed by the vast majority of the large number of new CIPD graduate members
who qualify each year.
A common method of achieving access is through the CIPD website. This leads
personnel professionals to become regular visitors to the site, where they are
able to both find out about as well as have access to all the current and
recent research.
In addition to local branch events, the outcomes and findings of CIPD
research are always featured at CIPD national conferences, and regularly in the
profession’s journals.
So I cannot understand how it can be claimed that CIPD-funded research is
unknown and inaccessible. It may be a problem for Tribe, but to generalise for
the whole profession – or even the CIPD membership – is inaccurate.
Jim Stewart, FCIPD
Professor of HRD, Department of HRM, Nottingham Business School
Research is there – you just have to look
I find it hard to believe that Ralph Tribe, a member of the institute, is so
ill informed. He suggests the CIPD lacks strategic impact to anyone who is
interested in seeing tangible results, and that its research is largely unknown
or inaccessible. Does Tribe visit the CIPD website, or take the cover off his
People Management magazine?
The CIPD has put a great deal of energy into ensuring that members have
access to the wide range of research undertaken, and play a role in informing
and influencing key decision-makers with other national and international
bodies.
As branch chair for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire CIPD branch, our
committee takes pride in ensuring that we also play a role in passing on
information to our members at a local level. Only this week I attended a very
stimulating event put on for our branch members, led by Martyn Sloman, adviser
for learning, training and development with the CIPD.
During the session he introduced members to some of the most recent research
commissioned by the CIPD from the University of Bath and discussed other
research relating to training and e-learning. Post evaluation of the event
suggests our members considered it very worthwhile, thought provoking and
beneficial to their work.
I am proud to be a member of the institute and have certainly benefited over
the years from the range of information, experience and knowledge it – and its
members – provide. The CIPD provides a wide range of quality services to all
its members, and ultimately, the profession as a whole.
Sarah Comer FCIPD
Branch chair, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire CIPD
CIPD only interested in raking in the cash
I feel compelled to add my view on the value of the CIPD – or should I say
lack of it.
On Monday 3 March, I started my new post of HR manager in a manufacturing
company which had not previously employed an HR specialist. A task allocated to
me was to develop an e-mail and internet policy for all staff. I set about
gathering information from various organisations, including Acas, the DTI and
the CIPD.
Considering that I have paid approximately £120 this year to have its
letters after my name, it seemed appropriate to make use of CIPD services. I
was promptly sent a list of policies that would be of interest.
Surprisingly, there was a charge of £4.50 per copy per policy. I grudgingly
filled in my credit card details and asked for the information to be faxed to
me. There then followed a telephone conversation stating that I would be
charged £10.50 for the privilege of having the information faxed over.
Needless to say, the CIPD was instructed to post the information –
apparently, there is no charge. This conversation took place on Tuesday 4
March. It is now Thursday 6 March, and the information has not yet arrived in
the post.
This may sound a trivial issue, but it adds to the disillusionment I feel
about the CIPD and its services. I find it quite astonishing that I should have
to pay for information that has been created by other organisations and is
merely being held on a CIPD database.
I am a full member of the CIPD, having passed my qualifications at
Wolverhampton University, where I gained valuable knowledge, skills and of
course, the HRM qualifications. Ralph Tribe is right; the CIPD did very little
to help with my studies and qualifications, but it was very much on hand when
my membership fees were due.
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It is only my fourth day in this post, but I am enjoying the challenge so
far. My main aim is to establish an HR function and develop policies and
procedures. I can confidently say that this will not be done with the help of
the CIPD library, as it would seem that a substantial proportion of my first
month’s salary would go to covering this service.
Tirion Pryce MCIPD
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