1) Course Framework

Supervisory Management Development Programme (Large Scale Crops).

2) Course Aim

To expand and consolidate the knowledge and abilities of post-graduate students, and allow them to acquire the skills necessary to develop into effective managers and supervisors, working in land-based industries.

3) To gain the diploma, three key units of study

Unit 1 - Human Resources

Aims - To introduce and evaluate a range of techniques used in the management and supervision of staff.

To gain a sound overview of legislation related to human resource management, and how and when to apply it.

Objectives - Students will be able to:-
1.1 Recognise, influence and implement best practice when managing and supervising, both individual staff members and groups of workers.
1.2 Build and maintain effective teams.
1.3 Understand, anticipate, and deal with a diverse range of supervisory issues, in an appropriate and effective manner.
1.4 Acquire a sound working knowledge of UK employment law, and exercise judgment in when and where to gain further information and advice as appropriate.
1.5 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a range of commonly used payment systems and incentives.
1.6 Plan and implement the instruction and training of staff.

Content
Labour management
Teamwork and teambuilding
Leadership
Supervisory issues
Employment contracts
Grievance procedures
Payment systems and incentives
Employment law
Instructional techniques

Unit 2 - Industry Knowledge

Aims - To gain knowledge and critical understanding of legislation and policies affecting land based enterprises.

To investigate the balance between productivity, sustainability, and ethics within the industry.

Objectives - Students will be able to :-
2.1 Demonstrate a sound understanding of global markets, UK and EU land-based policies, and key UK Legislation.
2.2 Evaluate the implications of environmental management for agricultural and horticultural enterprises, and produce plans, with clear objectives, to optimize this aspect of enterprise management.
2.3 Apply knowledge of quality assurance, to ensure that customer specifications are consistently met in full.
2.4 Critically evaluate the role of ethics within agriculture and horticulture.

Content
Global Markets
UK & EU land based policies
UK legislation
Environmental management
Quality assurance
Ethics and farming

Unit 3 - Resource Management

Aims - To develop management knowledge and skills to enable students to plan ahead, optimize the use of available resources, and make a significant contribution to the running of businesses that they are involved in.

Objectives - Students will be able to :-
3.1 Produce sound business plans, including marketing strategies, financial planning and control.
3.2 Evaluate the various risks involved in running businesses, and produce written strategies, documenting how risks are to be minimized.
3.3 Demonstrate sound administration and time management skills.

Content
Business planning
Financial management
Marketing
Effective administration
Risk management
Time management
Stress management
Management of physical resources

4) Vocational Skills and Additional Qualifications

Compulsory
Working Safely in Rural Business (1-2 days)
First Aid at Work (4 days)
NCFE Advanced Cert in Preparation for Business - Level 3 (60 hours guided learning).

Possible optional additional qualifications
Food Hygiene
Fork Lift Operator
FEPA
Manual Handling
Mini Bus Driver
Tractor Driver

5) Personal Develop

Subject to the needs of individual students
English Language - Business English for Management and Supervision.

Other possible options IT
- CLAIT
- ECDL accredited Level 1 40 hours / Level 2 90 hours