I’m a training co-ordinator with four years’ experience in the electronic
industry and would like to move into a different sector in a more dynamic
development role. I have an HNC in training and development and am completing
my level 4 T&D (learner development). What should I study next? I have been
contemplating the Open University or trying to gain full CIPD membership.
Clive Sussams, recruitment consultant, Malpas Flexible Learning
You have approached the development of your career in a sensible way.
Clearly in order to succeed in more senior training roles you will need to
ideally have achieved CIPD status via a qualification such as the Advanced
Diploma in Training and Development.
The other important point is to start working towards broadening your
training skills by either gaining agreement with your employer to enlarge your
role or, if prospects are limited, applying for more proactive jobs elsewhere.
Once you have had some T&D experience you should find that your skills are
transferable among many businesses.
Peter Wilford, consultant, Chiumento
A CIPD qualification implies staying in the HR function and will entail
learning material like employment law, which is useful if you wish to undertake
broad management training. It is more general and might well give you a broader
basis from which to pursue your career.
Talk to the CIPD and research the options for relevant qualifications and
courses. Look at HR journals and magazines to see what qualifications are
required by those recruiting. Compare the OU with other options.
If your interest is more in specific areas of training, either technical or
in areas such as presentation, negotiation or communication, there are a number
of good "train the trainer" courses. These may be enough to get you
into a more dynamic developmental role. After some experience, you may wish to
take stock and decide whether to look at a further qualification in training
and/or coaching.
Jo Selby, associate director, EJ Human Resources
While it is excellent to have qualifications, it is important not to
underestimate the value of real experience and to ensure that you have the
right balance of both.
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Look to make your move away from the electronics industry, if that is what
you wish to do, before embarking on further studies. At this stage of your
career, securing a role that will offer you greater scope for longer-term
development and which will allow you to put your most recent studies into
practice is important.
Once you are settled in your next position, you will be better placed to
identify which further qualification will be of most benefit to you for your
immediate and future career.
