WBL - The Art of Professional Development Planning

Module description

This module offers a series of activities aimed at developing the personal effectiveness and interpersonal skills of young finance professionals. It seeks to pull together learning from across a variety of sources in support of proactively managing one’s own learning and development. The ability to produce a coherent and well-informed PDP is an essential part of doing well in both academic and professional practise. Using skills of reflection, apprentices will regularly pause to develop their self-awareness and self-management in order to shape their development and demonstrate progression.

This year long module is focused on ‘Self’ and provides an important foundation upon which to develop your career in financial services. The emphasis is on the development of personal effectiveness and interpersonal excellence, both of which are an essential part of creating a positive impact within the workplace. Personal effectiveness includes managing own learning, the identification of personal development needs and taking responsibility for the achievement of learning objectives. Interpersonal excellence is focussed upon the communication skills necessary to play a significant role within teams, department and the wider organisation. The personal development planning processes is determined at the start of your programme and regularly revisited as you move through the year.

Full module specification

Module aims

Through a series of activities and exercises, apprentices will identify the strengths, values and personality drivers that shape them, using that awareness to manage their own personal development planning. Through constructive feedback from both academic and workplace mentors, the apprentice will review their progress, adjusting and adapting as they progress through their first year at work. This module culminates in the production of a portfolio that draws together and evidences personal and professional development.

ILO: Module-specific skills

• 1. Develop critical arguments both of self and of module-related theories that support and deepen learning.
• 2. Reflect upon professional practice to identify, evaluate and modify own behaviours using self-analysis and constructive feedback. Recognise where learning originates and translate new knowledge into own PDP.
• 3. Compile, manage and edit a portfolio of evidence in support of own progression against the relevant Degree Apprentice learning objectives.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

• 4. Demonstrate a sound understanding of the role of the function in which they work, and how this role related to other functions within their department and to the wider business (K2)
• 5. Identifies and communicates perceived compliance risks to the relevant management or compliance personnel within the organisation (K6)
• 6. Communicated effectively and professionally with clients, external counterparties and internal staff. Adhered to internal standards, market protocols and regulatory rules and principles for reporting purposes. Understands the relationships and service requirements between markets, clients and their intermediaries (K12-15)

ILO: Personal and key skills

• 7. Communicating and influencing (S21-23): Adopts high quality written and verbal communication skills as appropriate for communicating with internal and external clients. Builds positive relationships with clients and colleagues using sound interpersonal and influencing skills. Able to coach/train less experienced colleagues. Able to communicate and negotiate complex situations and issues that may arise.
• 8. Team working and Collaboration (S24-25): Consistently supports colleagues and the wider business, collaborating to achieve results. Aware of their role within team, how their team fits within the business and how the team’s decisions impacts on others. Takes a leadership role in the team when appropriate. Operates well under time pressures
• 9. Personal Development (S29-30): Proactively plans and records their own development; seeks constructive feedback and incorporates within development plan. Keeps up to date with changes in all areas of the role; Shows commitment to the job and the industry.
• 10. Honesty and Integrity: Truthful, sincere in their actions and does the right thing (even when not the easiest). Handles client information confidentially.
• 11. Adaptability: Willing to accept changing priorities and work patterns when new jobs need to be done, or when requirements change.
• 12. Enthusiasm: Shows drive and energy in their work, when things are going well and when challenges arise.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Defer – as first time

Refer – capped at 40%

Syllabus plan

The main outcome of this module is the Personal Development Plan (PDP). In order to achieve it, the module is divided into three sections respectively called 'Explore', 'Evolve' and 'Excel', which contain a set of Personal Development Activities (PDAs). During the first section 'Explore' the students will learn the academic skills to support their development through the qualifications.  They will also learn the frameworks and tools necessary to develop themselves as a reflective practitioner, identifying where they are starting from and outlining their goals for meeting their potential. Next, the PDAs in the 'Evolve' section focus on developing the behaviours and skills as stated in the IOS standard. Finally, the third section ‘Excel’ is where the students take off in achieving their goals set out in their Personal Development Plan and polish their portfolio ready for submission.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

Cottrell, S. (2015) Skills for success: personal development and employability . Palgrave Macmillan

Day, T. (2018) Success in Academic Writing. Palgrave Study Skills. Palgrave Macmillan

Miller, D. (2015) Brilliant Personal Effectiveness: What to know and say to make an impact at work. Pearson: UK

Supplementary text:

Cottrell, S (2017) Critical Thinking Skills; Developing Effective Analysis, argument and reflection.

Palgrave Macmillan:

Paul, D., Cadle, J., & Thomas, P (2012) The Human Touch: Personal Skills for Professional Success. BCS: UK

Winstanley, D. (2009) Personal Effectiveness. Excel Books: UK

Gatrell, C. (2006). Managing Part-Time Study: A Guide For Undergraduates And Postgraduates: A guide for Undergraduates and Postgraduates. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web-based and electronic resources will be posted and made available throughout the module

Origin date

25/02/2019

Last revision date

16/09/2021