Hello all!
This is my first time visiting TZ but I think it is the right place to ask my question.
I currently work as a Technical Trainer and have been doing so for 5 years. In my time I have attended many independent workshops on soft skills/learning techniques etc, but wanted the to gain a recognised and certified qualification relating to my job and experience and my company have offered to support me with this.
Looking around, I have narrowed it down to two choices:
An NVQ in Learning & Development
or
CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Certificate in Human Resource Development
I am wondering if anyone has been in a similar dilemma?
I understand that the CIPD qualification holds a lot of weight in the HR world and in pretty much a required qualification if you want to progress a career in HR. But I don't know if the NVQ holds a similar weight?
Any opinions or suggestions would be great.
Thanks.
Daniel.
5 Responses
CIPD for me
Hello and welcome!
I was in a simular position, I had a number of years expereince within L&D but no actual qualification. I decided on a CIPD Learning & Development qualification over an NVQ as it has more weighting and the content of the programme suited my needs within my current role.
You may also want to consider costs and feedback from others that have completed either of the qualifications as these may also reach your decision.
TrainingZone Free Guide to Qualifications
https://www.trainingzone.co.uk/downloads/why-bother-qualifications-ld-professionals-%E2%80%93-free-guide/186023
What level NVQ?
Hello Daniel
There are different level NVQs – I'm guessing the one you'd be taking would be equivalent to a Level 5.
I'm currently taking the CIPD Level 5 HRD qualification and can very highly recommend it. provided you are familiar with standard training practice principles then you wouldn't need to do level 3 as a prerequisite, and level 5 gets you thinking at that higher, more strategic level. A bonus for me is that as a CIPD member you get access to website content and People Management magazine which helps you to stay current even after the qualification has finished. You do have to pay for this but for me, it's worth it.
It might be worth 'job hunting' to see what requirements employers typically have and whether an NVQ would be acceptable. I am quite sure that CIPD is the benchmark however.
Good luck!
Kaye Chapman
CIPD for me
Having just completed a CIPD qualifcaition I would say this one,
highly recoginised and regarded in both HR & L&D and agree with others it is the benchmark
Great support available, conferences and local events to help stay upto date
Networking oppurtunitys
lots of ways to study
best of luck with whichever you choose
A great alternative!
I must admit to a conflict of interest and being slightly biased as I work as a Director of The Training Foundation. I personally undertook a CTP qualification over 20 years ago, which was very academic, and then had to go and find a 'train the trainer' to teach me how to deliver effectively. This process has repeated itself across the multiple disciplines required of an all-round trainer over the years
I would agree with Neil in that our courses (TAP) are L&D focused and the majority of our clients decided on the TAP route as we specialise in developing L&D solely and don't offer irrelevant HR subjects. It is also disappointing that the CIPD still won't offer higher level membership to pure L&D professionals, although this could change in the future.
We provide a unique and comprehensive suite of Certificates and Diplomas, verified and awarded by the British Institute for Learning & Development that are skills-based, assessable and commercially sensitive. What I mean by that is they are short courses of 2-5 days duration, recognising the real world time and resource demands of companies and their L&D teams. No studying for 12 months and wondering how to apply your new knowledge!
We won a Queen's Award for Innovation for our Assessable TAP learning system, something no other training provider has done and work across all industries and both private and public sectors, with 40% of the Top 100 FTSE UK companies. Over 25,000+ L&D professionals in over 1300 organisations believe in the practical methodology. You are in very good company with TAP.
As an L&D professional with over 20 years experience in the UK and Australia, I firmly believe that our company employs some of the best and most effective trainers in the world. We do not outsource, in our drive to control the quality in our delivery.
We also offer a Theoretical Basis of Learning Certificate to ensure that new to L&D trainers get a sound understanding of learning theory.
I hope that you will come and talk to us. I'd be delighted to personally welcome you to Foundation House at the University of Warwick Science Park.
Good luck and please feel free to contact me on LinkedIn and visit our website if you want to chat.
Kind regards,
Adrian Stokes.
Director TAP Partners.