Comment on North West University, Bachelor in Training and Development

As an existing student of the North West Univerity honours education in training and development, I can only provide positive and constructive inputs regarding this programme. As one of the few programmes that focus solely on training and development as well as the emerging field of human resource development (HRD) I would really recommend it for adult learners with a track record in the skills development as well as education, training and development environment. 

One may ask why I recommend the programme? As a late life learner who grew from a practitioner role like so many of us, starting out as a trainer and then shifting into assessment and moderation I struggled with the lack of a firm knowledge base to operate from. The very things I was training, facilitating and assessing seemed without depth when it came to really understanding how my role as a trainer and assessor was influencing the learning of my learners. I completed the Occupationally-directed Education, Training and Development (OD-ETD) Diploma which then really started to open up my eyes to what it means to be a facilitator of learning. 

Like many I was not able to access a full-time programme or stop working to attend a degree programme. Then Voila! A Skills-Universe member Renee Wentzel recommended the Bachelor in Training and Development at NWU. A programme that was full-time over three years and in which you attended three study schools per annum at the Potchefstroom Campus. A few years later and now into my post-graduate studies at NWU I am sincerely grateful for the recommendation to attend the programme. It really fitted in well with my professional and personal life and remained challenging and growth focused. As we all know maintaining a lifelong learning attitude is not always easy, but the HRD team at NWU certainly have helped me grow and this network provided me the direct link to starting on my academic journey. 

If any of you are interested in the programme then email Anelia Cordier on 25124870@nwu.ac.za for more information.