Institute of Personal Management of Zimbabwe
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IPMZ is a professional association of people with an interest in personnel, training and human resources, who want to improve their knowledge of, and skill in, professional personnel practices and principles. The Institute promotes professionalism by establishing appropriate qualifications, defining codes of conduct, promoting research, spreading knowledge of personnel and training management and labor relations, and liaising with relevant authorities in regard to professional manpower policies and practices.
History
- 1960 : An informal group of personnel officers organised itself to discuss personnel practices and listen to guest speakers.
- 1962 :The Personnel Management Panel was formed. A syllabus for a diploma in personnel management was put forward.
- 1963 : The first Executive Committee, known as the "Steering Committee" was elected. There were 40 applications for membership to the Personnel Management Panel.
- 1965 : The first examinations for Part 1 of the Diploma were held. IPMR was established as a branch of IPMSA.
- 1967 : The Diploma courses were advertised in the local press as correspondence courses with UNISA, with tutorials at UCR during vacations.
- 1973 : IPMR set up offices in Savoy House, Inez Terrace, Harare and employed three permanent staff - a national organiser, a shorthand typist and a messenger.
- 1974 : IPMR formally merged with IPMSA in order to extend its services. This meant, among other things, that the IPMR diploma would be phased out.
- 1981 : The Institute separated from IPMSA and became IPMZ.
- 1983 : The new local intermediate diplomas were introduced.
- 1985 : The first five graduates of the local intermediate diploma received their certificates.
- 1986 : Council agreed to appoint Howard Dean as consultant director. A local publications programme was instituted and IPMZ collaborated with NCEAZ on an Annual Labour Relations Briefing. The Personnel Practitioner of the year award became a national award.
- 1987 : IPMZ took up residence in Dzidzo House on a 10-year lease. Matabeleland branch opened an office. IPMZ ran its first National Convention since 1982
- 1988 : IPMZ launched its Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management.
What the Institution offers
The Institute offers educational programmes of preparatory professional education by correspondence, in the fields of personnel management, training management, labor relations and, at higher levels, human resource management. Each correspondence course takes approximately 12 months of part-time study. After successful completion of a series of assignments and three-hour examinations, candidates receive IPMZ Diplomas. A certificate is issued for each subject passed at both Diploma and Higher Diploma level. Higher Diploma students must not only pass eight subjects of study but also successfully complete a dissertation by research.
IPMZ also offers annual conferences for the purpose of continuing professional education, to refresh skills and update people on developments in the field of human resources. The annual National Convention is the most important event in the Institute's efforts to ensure the continuing professional development of its members.
