Forward-thinking Nottingham Trent Student wins MidlandHR accolade

January 2008

*MidlandHR, sponsors of the Msc HR Management course at Nottingham Trent University, present its annual award for the highest marked dissertation*

Nottingham 13 December 2007 - MidlandHR, leading supplier of HR and payroll solutions has awarded masters student Gillian Morrison its annual award in recognition of her postgraduate research study into 'Evaluating the workforce planning challenges for social care in rural areas and remote areas'. This year's award marks MidlandHR's continued sponsorship of the highest marked dissertation on the Msc HR management course at Nottingham Trent University.

Morrison's study investigated the most critical human resource issue facing the Department of Community Social Services within Orkney; the need to ensure an adequate labour supply to meet the growing demand for social care services.

"I am very grateful to MidlandHR for this prize - it is so encouraging to students who decide to aim high in their wilder moments! I chose the MSc in Strategic Human Resource Management as my job involves organisational change and development and this was an opportunity to learn more and apply this in my workplace," comments Gillian Morrison.

Lawrence Knowles, managing director, MidlandHR comments, "This study focused on an issue of growing concern to the UK as a whole, not just to Orkney. The research's strength lies in its tangible recommendations for workforce planning in organisations concerned about recruitment and retention of social care workers for older people."

The research highlighted strategies to meet factors such as how to support the recruitment process of social care workers, and how to support the retention of staff once recruited into the job. Initiatives and recommendations included making social care more attractive, raising the profile of the status of being a carer and targeting school leavers through job tasters, work experience and apprenticeships.

Knowles continues, "Research is an excellent way to help identify critical issues of the times as Gillian has demonstrated. What is key is a dedication to looking at how that research can help to combat issues and this has been demonstrated exceptionally."

Morrison is Head of Strategic Services at Orkney Islands Council, and undertook the one-year, full-time course to provide her with personal and academic development, in order to be better prepared for operating in the 21st Century.

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