Thirty-one employees from different sectors of the economy recently graduated in one of the human resources (HR) programmes offered by the Centre for Labour Market Studies of the University of Leicester through the Foundation of Human Resources Development (FHRD).

Most of these graduates are already engaged in Human Resources Management and Human Resource Development, both in the public and the private sectors. Through this qualification, they will be able to develop strategy and implement programmes that upgrade the competencies of their staff and secure success for their organisations.

FHRD CEO Joe Gerada said the foundation is making an effective contribution to industry and workers alike as it is focused on building competency, facilitating rewarding jobs and enhancing business success.

Mr Gerada added that the foundation will soon be launching a vocational training progamme in HR that is also accredited by the Malta Qualification Council. The FHRD intends to address this voca-tional programme to those who for some reason cannot follow an academic programme of study.

Prof. Emeritus David Ashton, who presided over the graduation ceremony, said the Centre for Labour Market Studies of the University of Leicester was very satisfied with the way the foundation managed the study programmes in Malta. He said the Maltese students took their studies very seriously and he hoped both organisations would embark on new initiatives in the future to support young professionals.

During this presentation, Giovanni Barbaro-Sant was also awarded the Louis Naudi Award for outstanding achievement at master level, while Pauline Borg was awarded a bursary to further her studies after she was classified as the best student at diploma level.