The University of Waikato is holding two information evenings this month for people wanting to find out more about the post-graduate management programmes offered in Tauranga.

Aimed at business people with four to five years' experience, the post-graduate diploma in management studies is a two-year part-time programme run during alternate weekends.

Caption Businessman Grant Kedian completed the University of Waikato's post-graduate in management.

Local business man Grant Kedian says the qualification fast-tracked his career pathway with recruitment consultancy firm Tradestaff.

What began as a temporary labouring stint for Tradestaff after completing his undergraduate business degree in 2004, has led Grant to a high level management career.

It's been a swift climb to the top for Grant who is now the company's northern operations manager, responsible for the financial and day-to-day operations of seven North Island branches.

In 2005 he had returned to the company as a recruitment consultant and within three years had become the Bay of Plenty area manager.

It was then that Grant realised that a postgraduate qualification would be pivotal in furthering his career and he embarked on a post-graduate diploma in management studies through the University of Waikato in Tauranga.

'It was an absolute eye opener and really helped me develop my leadership abilities and business acumen,” he says.

As well as focussing on how to think, one of the aspects of the programme that Grant found most useful was being able to apply classroom theory to real-life business situations.

'Many of the assignments ask you to draw from real life situations, and the programme literally becomes an extension of your working environment. It taught me aspects of business that many managers and leaders would perhaps not consider.”

Grant went on to complete his MBA through Waikato and says that both programmes really expanded the types of goals that he now sets and he is excited about what the future holds.

The information sessions will take place on Wednesday, October 9 and Monday, October 14, 5.30pm at the Bongard Centre, 200 Cameron Road, Tauranga. To find out more and reserve your place phone 0800 800 891 or email [email protected].