Academic Achievement among NEC Office Staff

Jeff Nicholson

Angela Purkiss has been busy in part time work related study and has successfully completed a one-year intensive Payroll Management Course based at the BUPA HQ in Manchester which is connected to the University of Worcester. Angela showed real commitment to complete the course despite the fact that she was often in intense pain due to an accident. She qualified with a Professional Diploma in Payroll Management from the Institute of Payroll Professionals in October 2009.

Yvonne Weekes, Secretary to the Executive Secretary of the NEC, has also recently completed a three year course of study at the University of Lincoln and has been awarded a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management with CIPD accreditation. Her 12,000 word dissertation looked at Exploring Organisational Development through the Re-deployment of Ministerial Workers in the North England Conference.

Her research concluded that “greater consideration needs to be given to the wider consequences of Ministerial redeployment for the lives and educational attainment of ministerial children.” The study showed that, “The domestic and professional spheres of Ministerial Workers would benefit greatly if there was more dialogue between the employer and the Ministerial Worker before reassignments were actioned.” Even though the dialogue might not change the intention of the employer, any meaningful dialogue would foster “greater goodwill and remove some of the fear and anxiety associated with any proposed redeployment.” It was further concluded that the employing organisation would benefit significantly if there was “ongoing assistance to aid the worker to settle in their new assignment.”

Yvonne knows that her studies will improve her professional skills and prove beneficial in her role at the Conference office. Yvonne expresses her sincere gratitude and love to her Heavenly Father who made all this possible and to all of her colleagues for their support and assistance thereby making her academic studies a success. Pastor Ian Sweeney NEC President commenting said; “We are proud of and celebrate the achievements of our staff. It shows their commitment to excellence in church service and we would like to express our congratulations to Angela and Yvonne on their personal achievements despite the challenges and look forward to their continued service.”