I am a Secondary/A' Level teacher, NLP Practitioner and Coach looking to move into L&D/Training. I can't afford to give up work altogether to study so am looking to gain accreditation on a part time basis over the next couple of years. My research has led me to believe that the best options for me are TAP and/or CIPD accreditation. Does anybody have a suggestion as to which is preferable as a 'way-in' to the industry? I am sure most of the skills I have developed in teaching are transferable - although I am also aware that RE, Psychology and Sociology are specialisms unlikely to be in demand in business! Am I right to assume gaining a general training qualification is the place to start with this...? Thanks all!
3 Responses
Training qualifications
I would suggest you take a look at Trainerbase – they have lots of info on qualifications. If you are ready to commit, then the CIPD qualification is a good one.
But I was asking the question on a separate LinkedIn group – do recruiters look for trianing qualifications when hiring, and I’ve not had a lot to say ‘yes’. Experience, relevant qualifications (such as the ones you have) are going to be more valued I would say.
If you can start to work as an associate for a training organisation you could get some experience there – perhaps just putting some time aside each month (if you can be that flexible).
Start contacting training companies now, and look at the vacancies for L&D people. Join associations like Trainerbase, look at the groups on LinkedIn and Ecademy and start networking.
Good luck
Carolyn
Accreditation options
My route was through the CIPD, taking the full 2 year professional qualification scheme focusing on HRD. I would suggest your route would depend on whether your focus is on training delivery (TAP is fine) or the full management training cycle of learning needs analysis, design, delivery, evaluation. If the latter, I would suggest the CIPD professional qualification helps a great deal.
I wouldn’t assume your RE/ Psychology/ Sociology background isn’t appealing or marketable to businesses. Much of Diversity training, interpersonal skills, leadership, negotiation skills, sales or marketing techniques, etc, rely on some elements of these three to inform training content. I would also not assume that there’s a huge dichotomy between teen learning & adult learning. Believe me, you’ll still see bullies, disruptive delegates, charmers with poor performance, etc. Managing a classroom and managing a training room are quite similar; the import part is tailoring content & delivery approach to the individuals in the room to ensure learning occurs.
Hope this helps.
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Tiffany Nairne
Director & Senior Consultant, Capitential LTD
http://www.capitential.com
Thanks…
Thank you for your encouraging responses. I have decided CIPD is the way forward and I am thrilled to hear that my previous experience may stand me in good stead back in the business world. Sam