As a manager with 40 years working experience looking for a career change and with no a levels no degree no letters i feel disadvantaged when applying for posts which i am qualified for by experience only. I am looking for a reasonably quick course of action which would help to formalise what i know . I am asking for any help as i do not know all that is available and do not want to pick something myself which employers would not think anything of.
My working life is centred around office/administration/accounts and this is where i want to continue
Any assistance with this would be gratefully received and in any case thank you for reading this/
Alex ferguson
6 Responses
Business Associations
Hi!
Try your local Chamber of Commerce. In many countries they organise their own training courses for many business subjects, but will almost certainly know of proven and acceptable Management courses in your own location.
There could well be an Institute of Management
or Management Association nearby you who could also advise you.
Good luck,
Nigel
Courses for the ‘Unqualified’ Manager
I would suggest you try the NVQ route as this is based on what you actually do. NVQ 4 in Management would probably be a good starting point as this usually covers all aspects of business. I have successfully achieved two NVQs and the benefits are you can achieve at your own pace, have the benefit of a tutor/work place Assessor, is based on what you do and you get a recognised qualification at the end of it. You will probably find you will achieve the recognition sooner than you think. Most colleges offer these courses and if you require further help don’t hesitate to contact me
turning experience into qualifications
Hello
I would just like to say that I agree with Amanda Thompson advice that the NVQ level 4 Course would be your best option. If you are at present unemployed, you may be able to use one of the goverment training schemes, e.g. new deal which will pay for you to do the course. I myself was in the same sort of postion 4 years ago and I did Training and Development level 3 NVQ, with a training provider for the Training for Work Scheme that was running at the time. Which now means that I am now qualified to teach. I wish you well gaining a suitable qualification. Good Luck
Managment training
We agree with the NVQ route as being very beneficial however since there have been many changes around the funding relating to adults you may find you have to pay for the study yourself. Also Cambridge business skills are popular and of course an external programme degree in managment always is acceptable to emplyers coupled with experience.
if you want more information then email to
[email protected]
Alternative (or addition) to NVQ
An alternative to(or in addition to) NVQ, bearing in mind your length of management experience, might be to apply directly for membership to one of the recognised mangement institutes. The institutes are becoming more willing to accept relevant experience as an acceptible criteria. You will need to decribe your experience in some detail giving a clear indication of your levels of responsibility with dates. If accepted by an institute you may get to be able to use letters after your name, this may help you in the shorter term. It might be worth contacting ISM the Institute for Supervision and Management.
Institute Membership – NVQs – Specialist Courses – ACHIEVEMENTs
I agree with both the NVQ route and the Institute options, previously mentioned. I have achieved a mix:
1. Both the Institute for Supervision and Management (ISM) and the Institute of Administrative Management (InstAM) have tried and tested vocational access. However, experience has shown that many prospective employers try to differentiate between vocation & qualification membership. So, eventually a mix and match is more likely to achieve your aim.
2. Many Uni’s and FE Colleges have business schools that allow crammer courses based heavily on experience (I did my NEBS Man and IAM diploma’s on a back-to-back course at Plymouth and significant funding – was available (80% I think, as job ‘retraining’) but the relevant dept will be more than glad advise you and help you secure funding.
In recent years I had to make a major career change after 23 years with same employer – I acquired both MISM (vocational) and MInstAM (vocational) based on past experience – attended very short crammers for MInstAM(Dip), N.Dip.M and an IoM Certificate. I am now very close to completing NVQ 5 in Strategic Management to round off the ‘Professional Qual’ section of my CV.
Whichever way – stay positive and stress work related achievements in your C.V. they far outway Quals – for us more experienced and successful managers…………….
Good Luck
Ian