25 July 2026
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Isle of Man News

Learn more about professional development at UCM

To celebrate Learning at Work Week, Kerry Birchall, who manages the Adult Learning provision at University College Isle of Man’s (UCM) explores how learning can support overall business improvement and development.

Learning at work week (May 13 – 19) will delve into how learning and development, continued professional development (CPD), training courses and upskilling staff can support businesses.

She says that, “In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, continuous improvement is intrinsically linked to success.

“As industries experience constant advancements and changes, the necessity for CPD, upskilling and acquiring new skills has become increasingly apparent.

“Add into the mix the worldwide skills shortage, and it’s clear that businesses need to be doing more to develop existing staff.”

Continued professional development

She says that, ‘CPD fosters an environment of innovation and creativity, especially when employees are exposed to diverse training experiences, they develop a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of their field. This often inspires fresh ideas and novel approaches to problem-solving’.

A big question that Kerry gets asked is whether people should choose to learn online or in-person.

She says that there are “merits to both options so a lot depends on the subject and learning style of the individual; it’s often difficult to learn a practical skill by just reading about it or watching a video. Select a learning and development provider which is suitable for the skills and who needs the training”.

Learning at Work Week is an annual UK event designed to promote lifelong learning through workplace learning initiatives.

To find out more about UCM’s upskilling courses visit www.ucm.ac.im/upskill

Charlie Morrey is a Broadcast & Multi Media Journalist for Manx.News and also is a Presenter on Energy FM. Charlie has previously written for Isle of Man Newspapers, magazines and also started her broadcasting career with Manx Radio.

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