First MBA for recruitment industry

First MBA for recruitment industry

The UK’s first MBA programme specifically designed for recruitment executives is launched today by APSCo, the recruitment trade association, Henley Business School and Barclays Corporate, which is providing financial sponsorship for the best performing student.

The idea for the MBA – An Executive Programme for International Management (International Recruitment Management) was devised by Ann Swain, Chief Executive of APSCo.

Commenting on the launch, Ann Swain said: “We are thrilled to finally launch this ground-breaking initiative. The recruitment profession in the UK has waited too long for a professional qualification of this calibre, which has already received huge levels of interest from around the world.

“The motivation behind the creation of APSCo is to professionalise the recruitment sector. This MBA programme is a major milestone on that journey. The qualification will be an excellent way for companies to retain valued senior managers, aid with succession planning and boost the credentials of any recruitment company management team”.

Mike Daniels, Head of Business Services and Recruitment at Barclays Corporate, said: “This is an incredible opportunity to support a hugely worthwhile initiative and to contribute to the development of the business leaders of the future – something which is in all our interests”.

The three-year programme will be delivered by flexible learning at Henley’s Greenland’s Campus which will allow students to continue working at the same time. Twenty places are set to be available in the first year (from September 2011) for qualified candidates.

The MBA is open to experienced managers with a degree and at least three years recruitment sector experience, or senior managers without a degree and at least five years industry experience. The programme will follow the structure of the Henley MBA and in addition include recruitment specific content and more classic MBA activities. As part of the international element, delegates will have the opportunity to undertake a work placement abroad.

Programme Members will have the opportunity to spend a week abroad with a staffing company.

The subject pathways of the recruitment element of the programme is being created by a steering group of leading recruitment professions executives and academics, chaired by APSCo Chief Executive Ann Swain who has spent 29 years within the recruitment sector.