I am a 1997 Languages Graduate and have been working for 2 years in sales and account management roles. I have been involved in some sales training and would like to know more about how to break into training and development as a career. Is it better to complete a qualification first, or to try and find a training support role to gain more experience and then commence a training qualification?
Also, could anybody advise me where the best and most financially viable courses are in London?
Any advice extremely welcome.
Rachel.
rachel venner
3 Responses
Examine all options
Rachel
You mention two options in your posting: Qualify first or experience first. As you appear to be in employment why not investigate a part time post graduate course in HR/Training and development, there must be loads in London. When considering courses, is your current employer able to assist or is there funding available for you. The TECs (until April 2001) can advise on these issues.
In the meantime try to add to your experience. There is nothing worse than being told you lack either qualifications or experience so it should be a matter of attaining both at the same time. Have you registered with http://www.ukhrd.com? This is an email digest for trainers and I know one of their members was looking for Language skills in the last week or so for which you sound eminently qualified. Also as part of the same group of companies is http://www.trainingjournal.com and their monthly mag is quite good for background stuff. As training is a people thing how about joining the IPD as an affiliate, you get access to stuff of their web site (so I am told).
Training and development is something I fell as opposed to broke into and is the wonderful and rewarding profession. I wish you all the best
PJM
Development Director
http://www.fairlawn.co.uk
Moving into training
Hello there
I got into training by doing my IPD part time at college and looking for opportunities through the people I met on the course.
As for funding – you can get loans to help you – try the TEC local to you.
Best of luck.
I wish you all the best, I’m sure it’s a step you will not regre
Hello Rachel,
I’ve been working within funded training for what seems like forever, I also did not set out to work within training but seemed to end up here.
Never the less I truely enjoy my work and get lots of satisfaction from what I do. I would like to move from funded training into corporate training and I’m trying to find the best route.
Qualification wise there are alot of options, you should first decide what exactly you would like to do, as I feel that different qualifications give better access to different areas.
There are such qualifications as Cert in Personnel Practice, Cert in Training Practice, Professional Qualification Scheme, Teacher Training, NVQ Training and Development, D unit qualifications and so many more.