The LCMC recently hosted a group of fifteen senior Chinese managers from state-owned enterprises for a development programme concentrated on Youth services in the UK and Career Development and Planning.

The intensive management development course, organised by the LUMS International Office and directed by Professor David Brown, included sessions about management strategy in the public sector, engagement of young people in local communities, youth unemployment in the UK and UK Government Structures.

Youth services are an important part of the UK support structures. There is a variety of organisations across the UK involved in youth support financed partially by the government. The objective of this development programme was to present a variety of youth support provision in the UK and reflect on how the Chinese managers could benefit from best practice deployed in these organisations.

The group also participated in lively, interactive sessions with representatives from the Prince's Trust and Lancashire Police. The programme of lectures was complemented by organisational visits to Lancaster City Council and a specialist local vocational training college in Warrington.

A highlight of the course was a presentation given by Alan Smith, Principal Lecturer from Leeds Metropolitan University, on Youth and Community Work.