On a daily basis I hear from individuals from all backgrounds hoping to improve their employment opportunities.
Some may be looking at moving into a new field of work, many may be seeking promotion while others may be exploring their options however the advice I give remains the same – upskill.
Many employers will tell you that the first thing they look at on a CV is experience and education. While you can’t deny the value of experience gained in the the workplace having that experience acknowledged in the form of a certificate/award/diploma on your CV can be invaluable when it comes to finding your next job.
So if you are thinking about furthering your education and applying for courses there are a few items that you should always look out for:
1. Is the award recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications?
This question is important to judge how well recognised your qualification might be. The NFQ is set up to establish a system of levels to determine how well regarded a qualification is in Ireland.
Generally speaking most diploma courses would rank at levels 5 and 6 on this framework, advanced diplomas at levels 6 and 7 and degrees and higher diplomas at level 8. If a qualification is not recognised on the NFQ then it is not recognised by the Irish educational quality assurance body QQI which should lead you to question the quality of the course.
It’s worth noting that different country’s use different systems and that comparisons can usually be drawn between them e.g. an OFQUAL (England’s version of the NFQ) level 4 qualification is broadly equivalent to a level 6 qualification in Ireland (NFQ).
2. Does the course line up with your personal expectations?
This is an important question to ask yourself. There is no point in engaging in a course for the sake of adding another piece of paper to your CV.
Consider the options available to you and if the course you want to do will help achieve your own personal goals. For example if you want to secure a job in procurement it would be worth checking out the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) awarding body. While levels are considered important in terms of the academic level of your qualification, the awarding body is just as important in providing you with a great advantage in an interview situation.
3. Will the qualification provide you with potential job opportunities?
Imagine you are doing a interview for a job as a project manager and were asked about your qualification – if you stated that you received it from the project management institute (PMI) then the chances are your employer will already know the awarding body due to their high regard in the project management sector. When selecting a course always bear in mind it’s relevance to the employment market.
The Communication and Management Institute is a private institute that offers courses to those people looking for part-time learning one evening a week. With courses running from 18.30 to 21.30 their courses are ideally suited to those of you currently involved in full-time work or busy with other daytime commitments. The institute also offers distance learning courses which are ideal for those who are unable to commit to making classroom sessions.
Daniel McMahon is the education officer with the CMI, Communications & Management Institute in Dublin. Since it was founded in 2003 thousands of students have successfully received international and national awards, from CMI, which has enormously boosted their careers.