UC Irvine Extension's Project Management Program Enhances Corporate Productivity

From the O.C. Business Journal – September 17, 2001

Career development is the key to workplace satisfaction. Time and time again, managers find that empowering their employees with education and professional development results in a highly driven workforce that is equipped to perform at its best to successfully achieve a company's objectives. Career development not only increases employee job satisfaction, but also reduces attrition costs, boosts profits and achieves business goals. UC Irvine Extension's Project Management Program helps achieve just that.

Personal growth as a motivating factor
Why would a company decide to invest in employee professional development programs such as UC Irvine Extension's project management program? According to Mukesh Luhar, senior project manager at Boeing, "In a technical environment, one of the biggest motivating factors is personal growth. A motivated employee tends to perform better and, of course, is less likely to leave the company. Hence, investing in an employee's growth can provide value to both the employee and the company itself."

Carrie Rodgers, human resources consultant with Employee and Organization Development, which represents Southern California Edison, feels that "companies should invest in professional development for their employees so employees can continually learn, refresh their skills and hopefully apply what they learn back on the job. Investing in employee professional development should enhance the value to the company as well as improve employees' personal marketability and success. SCE has chosen to invest in UC Irvine Extension's project management program because they realize the importance of adopting a formal and consistent approach to managing large, complex and critical projects with significant budgets, tight schedules and detailed planning requirements."

Real-world instruction
UC Irvine Extension's project management program offers on-site training, which provides great flexibility for participating companies and busy professionals. The program provides real-world instruction, practical education and results-oriented learning experiences – conveniently scheduled for the most demanding calendar.

As Luhar testifies, "The UC Irvine program teaches all aspects of program management and that is in line with Boeing wanting its employees to be knowledgeable workers. Project Management education, training and tools have all played a significant role in our C-17 program's success."

"In my opinion, if you invest in your employees, they will feel valued and therefore more satisfied with their jobs," adds Rodgers. Simply, companies need to invest in employee professional development like UC Irvine's Project Management program to increase their profits, and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Increase product quality, reduce risk of project failure, and enable your teams to bring in projects on time and within budget with UC Irvine Extension's Project Management Program, which cuts across your entire organization.

UC Irvine Extension is a Global Charter Project Management Institute Registered Education Provider. Its Project Management Certificate Program can be taught at the location of a company's choice anywhere in the world, and all courses are eligible for PDU's.