Infineum Personal Effectiveness Programme gains Academic Recognition

Richard Durrant, Infineum Global Technology Manager, explains how the Personal Effectiveness programme came about: 

 

“Infineum is a science-based technology company, and we recruit high-quality colleagues from the top universities here in the UK but also across the globe. They have a minimum of a science degree, with most having PhDs. This is typically their first job after completing their academic studies, and we give them high-value and complex project activities. But they generally haven’t had any formal training in soft skills – they have had to pick them up as they go along. I and my colleagues in the leadership team recognised that there was a gap in our training provision. We had excellent technical training and we had leadership training, but we didn’t have anything to help colleagues with these key soft skills – we just left it to chance. And the programme we created with RTP addresses that gap.” 

 

RTP Director Freddie Guilmard explains: 

 

“The workbooks are central to every module. They contain reflective and active exercises that draw on the learners’ current experiences. So, they aren’t just theoretical learning exercises; they enable learners to practise as they go.” 

 

Richard is the senior leader at Infineum who partnered with RTP in developing the programme. The Infineum-branded materials now sit on the company’s learning management system (LMS) as an essential part of their people development strategy. 

 

RTP are now working closely with Infineum to develop additional learning modules centred around customer centricity and the passion for profit. 

In 2023, the Personal Effectiveness learning modules were formally recognised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Infineum learners now have the opportunity to register as a CMI member and to work towards CMI Level 5 Accreditation in Management and Leadership. 

 

Credits are awarded for successful completion of additional CMI assessments offered as part of each Personal Effectiveness learning module. CMI Awards and Certificates are issued to all successful candidates, further embedding their personal and professional learning benefits. 

 

As formally recognised learning modules, the Personal Effectiveness programme is now valued both internally for the client organisation and externally amongst wider professional bodies. 

 

Richard adds: “I am delighted with the difference the programme is making in helping to maximise the potential of our primary audience. We are investing in our colleagues, ensuring that all of them can benefit, irrespective of their location or cultural background. And teaching our new graduates these skills is like adding an extra person (or more than one) to every project team.” 

 

Richard firmly believes that the programme can now also benefit people in other organisations, and he is happy to see it extended. 

 

Freddie adds: 

 

“The modules in Infineum’s programme are aligned closely with who they are and what they do. But the content could be adapted for use by any organisation, of any size, and for participants at any stage of their career. Furthermore, with the Personal Effectiveness Programme now being recognised professionally by CMI, the wider benefits to individual employees and other organisations are limitless.”