General
The Graduate Diploma in Industrial and Employee Relations is designed for persons who are working, or intending to work, in any area of industrial relations, management, personnel or trade union activities. The course focuses upon the workplace aspects of industrial and employee relations, and links industrial relations and employee management practices with the broader issues of economic policy, wage and labour policy, efficiency and productivity. The institutional and legal framework for industrial and employee relations is also covered in detail.
Course objectives
On completion of the course students should have:
* the analytical and practical skills to gain employment or advancement in this field;
* a detailed knowledge of workplace aspects of industrial and employee relations;
* an understanding of the links between industrial relations and employee management practices and the broader issues of economic policy, wages and labour market policies, and the legal framework;
* advanced written and oral communication skills.
Entrance requirements
There is no requirement that a candidate should have previously studied industrial relations. Admission to the program, and selection of the appropriate subjects, will depend upon the candidate's academic and disciplinary background. Candidates with no previous tertiary education will be considered for admission to the program if their relevant work experience and motivation demonstrates that they are capable of completing the course.
Structure
Students must pass seven subjects from the industrial and employee relations program. Each subject will consist of a weekly three-hour seminar. Not every subject will be available each year; they will be offered on a two-year rotational basis.
Duration
In normal circumstances the duration of the course is one full-time year or two part-time years.
Progression to Master of Industrial and Employee Relations
Progression will depend on the successful completion of the seven subjects at a high credit level average (70 marks). Students progressing to the masters degree from the Graduate Diploma in Industrial and Employee Relations are required to undertake two additional subjects, a case study and a thesis of approximately 20,000 words. The option to undertake a masters degree by coursework and research paper is not available.