Hi
I have been training for a few years and have decided it might be a good idea to get my CTP as this seems to be widely required by employers. However, when I have looked at courses, they all seem to require taking 10 days holiday in order to attend the workshops.
The situation with my current emoplyer means that I would have to use up holiday to attend, and I really would prefer not to lose such a big chunk. I'm more than happy to attend classes in the evening and weekends instead but having investigated a number of the main providers this doesn't seem to be an option. If any one could let me know if they know of a provider that would be great.
Many thanks,
Jane
Jane Sellars
5 Responses
Look at local FE providers
Jane
I would suggest that you trawl local further education (FE) establishments to see what they have to offer. Often they will do something in the evening (my ‘local’ does for example) which may suit you better.
I would point out that whilst the CTP is one route to a trainer’s development, do think deeply about this before you commit the time and money. The CTP is expensive for what you get: membership of the CIPD and text book trainer training.
Have you considered other FE option such as Neuro Linguistics (NLP), psychology or sociology, or even taking a teaching qualification (again, trawl your local FE providers to see what they do).
As a person who ‘hires’ professional trainers I recognise the industry standard in CTP but look for more depth from the person than what is – in reality – a Level 2 or maybe level 3 qualification. After all, employers recognise that trainers are a real ‘power’ when it comes to organisational change and the ongoing politics of communication: I’d prefer a higher level qualification that demonstrates what the person is capable of doing and thinking! If it’s your time and money invest it wisely and do think long-term (unless you have pressing needs now?) so if you do CTP what will you be doing next – where will this take you?
Good luck whatever route you choose and do stick with the lifelong learning. If you want to bounce some ideas off me do get in touch!
In the main I agree
I agree with a lot of what Damian has to say. The CITP can be extrememly expensive and personally I didn’t feel that it was a great course.
However it is the qualification that almost everyone looks for when hiring trainers…
I don’t know about where you are based but often Universities will offer this course in the evenings, Huddersfield Uni does for example, for less money than the day release providers.
I’m not sure, again in accordance with Damian, that it’s the best course out there and generally a lot of employers will want some experience to go along with whatever qualification you have taken.
What do you want to train? If it’s IT then there are other routes than the CIPD to look at. The same is true for NVQ teaching too.
I’d suggest before you commit to any form of course that you research the kind of training roles that you want to undertake and look at the requirements of those roles and then base your decision as to what course you will take on those requirements rather than a “one size fits all” approach.
CTP – not all its cracked up to be
In the CIPD’s own magazine CTP (or CIPD membership) is not required in 70% of the advertised training jobs.
There is a facinating and long running debate on the value of CIPD (and CTP) to trainers going on here.
http://www.cipd.co.uk/communities/discussions.htm?command=view&id=279&boardid=75
Its well worth reading (in its entirety) before wasting money on CTP and becoming disillusioned.
I’m not sure I agree
I thought the thread below was really interesting and thanks Juliet for the post but… I think that because an advert doesn’t explicitly state a preference for a qualification it doesn’t mean that the employer isn’t looking for it.
If they’re advertising in the CIPD’s own magazine I think that many employer’s would consider this requirement implicit in view of where they are advertising.
I’m on the job market at the moment and almost (not all, but almost) all the vacancies I’ve applied for have required the CITP.
I think this is down to the (much debated in the link below) historical link between HR and training – which I’d argue should be split in organisations sooner rather than later. With training becoming an operational rather than a support function.
Clarification
Not so Nik,
If its not specified then a potential employer cannot demand you have it. Sure it might aid your case but equally the employer could have specified it as essential or desirable if they thought it that important.
As regards implying – if they dont state it as desired or essential for the job then it is not a pre-requisite.