TATA Steel Manager achieves academic excellence in MA Professional Practice
Gareth Howard is a Manager Contract Coordination (MCC) at TATA Steel and has achieved a significant milestone in his professional journey by graduating with distinction from the MA in Professional Practice, with the Wales Academy for Professional Practice and Applied Research (WAPPAR) within UWTSD.
Gareth Howard’s decision to pursue this course was not only inspired by the excellent experiences of some of his colleagues who had previously undertaken it but also because of the course’s seamless alignment with the demands of his daily responsibilities at TATA Steel.
The course proved to boost Gareth’s professional growth, enriching his understanding and providing new insights into essential aspects of his role. The course’s thought-provoking content challenged his existing working practices, prompting him to explore alternative and more effective approaches. With its emphasis on practical learning and real-world applicability, the course allowed Gareth to seamlessly integrate theory into his everyday work. The acquired knowledge has empowered him to approach challenges with a fresh perspective, making informed decisions that drive positive outcomes for his team and the organisation.
“The course was not specific to my role which made it difficult to explain to people who hadn’t undertaken the course. However due to the nature of the studies relating to my own role and specifically around self-reflection then I was able to apply the theory and models to situations in my workplace. So, while the course was not specific to my role, I was able to naturally tailor it to my workplace as I was able to identify situations and working practices to fit each module and then undertake a more detailed analysis of these areas.
“The work-based learning project gave me the opportunity to engage a large number of people across the industry to obtain a greater understanding of people’s perceptions of a current process linked to my department. This involved engaging multiple stakeholders to gather what was some very interesting information to be used in the workplace to improve the relevant policies and procedures.”
The Professional Practice course, a pinnacle in professional development, is curated with a unique blend of modules that are specific to learners’ own working practices, work-based projects, and research. Gareth, with an unwavering commitment to his personal and career growth, engaged passionately with each facet of the course, harnessing its potential to develop his day-to-day work approach, in particular in relation to his leadership and project management skills.
“The course has helped me review my usual working practices, in some instances it reinforced my methods, however, it also helped me look at alternate ways of working to achieve results through either more effective leadership skills or managing the variety of situations I encounter in what is a quite diverse role within the business.”
The pandemic limited Gareth’s opportunities for face-to-face interactions, but his lecturers ensured that he never felt disconnected from his educational pursuits. As he reflects on his experience, Gareth acknowledges the profound impact that the online support had on his academic performance. He adds:
“Balancing family responsibilities, as well as work and studies, was tough at times, however thankfully I had good support from my tutors and did manage my time quite well over the length of the course which I felt is a critical part of being able to successfully undertake this kind of study.”
Gareth feels that the course has helped him develop as an individual within the workplace.
“The work undertaken in relation to this qualification has already helped me reflect on some of my own personal and departmental working practices, looking at things from a different perspective. However, primarily I feel it has given me confidence that the way I approach my role and the tools and techniques I deploy is effective in a majority of situations. The reflective element of the course was tough, but by going through this I feel I have opened my eyes to further techniques and methods which no doubt will continue to help me through the rest of my career.
“I feel it has given me a more thorough understanding of research techniques and challenged some of my original beliefs opening my mind to alternative ways to deal with people and also situations in the workplace. It has also given me additional confidence that what I have been doing prior to this course is in fact aligned to some of the theoretical viewpoints without me actually knowing at the time!”
Gareth Howard’s accomplishments reflect the unwavering commitment of TATA Steel to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth among its employees. His success serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating the remarkable outcomes that dedication and perseverance can achieve.
UWTSD Lecturer in Professional Practice, Lowri Harris said:
“Gareth’s journey through the MA in Professional Practice exemplifies the power of work-based learning and its transformative impact. Leveraging his vast experience at Tata Steel, Gareth seamlessly integrated his acquired knowledge and expertise into his studies, earning well-deserved credit for his professional achievements. With a keen eye for organisational development, Gareth’s work-based learning project tackled a topic of significant relevance, offering tangible benefits to the organization and enhancing its future operations. Gareth’s commitment to real impact and value addition is a testament to the immense potential of tailored, practical education.”
Gareth would encourage others to study for a qualification in Professional Practice. He said:
“I would recommend the course and the WAPPAR team. I would advise any prospective student to be open-minded to change and especially with the reflective element of the course, be honest with yourself to gain the best from it, it’s a tough thing to do to reflect on yourself, but when you get there, it can be very beneficial.”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476