MooD International - Working with the University, University of York

Mood International is a next generation software provider that challenges the way technology is deployed to improve enterprise performance.

Sarah Morris is the HR manager at Mood and has been in contact with the University of York’s corporate training unit for about four years. The relationship started when MooD recruited a number of new graduates who they were looking at developing into junior consultants. In order to have a competitive edge as an employer, MooD wanted to be able to offer development opportunities to their staff. Sarah, Amanda Selvaratnam (Head of Corporate Training) and Rebecca Collins (Associate Tutor at the University of York) worked closely to develop a training programme to meet MooD’s specific requirements. The decision was made to create a bespoke graduate programme based on the university’s well established York Strategic Leadership Programme.

“We wanted a programme that would develop the whole person in a more holistic way, we wanted to grow their consultancy skills, their ability to reflect on their own skills and to work as an effective team”

The structure of the course has worked really well for MooD as it has enabled them to hire recent graduates and then develop the skills required by the company. Due to the technical nature of MooD, staff are required to learn a wide range of technical “MooD” skills. Adding a personal development training programme from the university with a professional qualification means that MooD employees get a holistic development programme that meets all the company's objectives.

Sarah explained how MooD needed their new employees to contribute quickly and therefore they needed the skills put in place to be able to do that. She described how within two to three years after starting, the employees could be running half a million pound projects, so fast tracking these employees development can have a real benefit to the company.

“The change in terms of their skills development during that period of time has just been huge, it’s been brilliant. “

Sarah has noticed a considerable difference within the staff who have taken part on the university’s training programme. She explained how the graduates are able to credibly engage with senior members of staff within MooD, and how the company is confident in their employees’ abilities to go out and talk to people in the customer organisations. Furthermore, Sarah noticed how the delegates are measured, insightful and have more confidence in themselves. This in turn has given them a lot to think about and influenced their ability to take on both additional responsibility in the workplace. Sarah would recommend the University of York’s CPD Unit as they have been really supportive, approachable and flexible with MooD. Their help has provided MooD with an interesting and relevant course that keeps their employees engaged within the company.

Back to Case Studies home

Mood International is a next generation software provider that challenges the way technology is deployed to improve enterprise performance.

Who to contact

Related links