How to . . . Use short courses to your advantage

THERE may have been a time when you could leave your studies behind after graduating from university or college, but that is no longer the case. As the nature of work changes and many jobs disappear altogether, keeping up to date becomes more important.

Short learning programmes can be an effective way to beef up your CV with relevant and marketable skills in a reasonably short time.

Dr Felicity Coughlan, director of the Independent Institute of Education, says short learning programmes make sense for employed people because one can continue to earn while studying.

Coughlan has the following advice on short learning programmes:

When money is tight it is easy to justify not investing in your education, but a good course will pay for itself through increased employability and earning potential;

There are, unfortunately, organisations offering courses of poor quality that will be a waste of money. “Short courses are largely unregulated, so consumers are left with few of the traditional indicators by which to measure the value of the training they are to undertake,” warns Coughlan. Take the time to evaluate the institution so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to enrol;

If you plan to do a short course to boost your career, choose one that will give you the skills you will need. “Good short learning programmes enable students to immediately apply new skills or knowledge to their current positions or to demonstrate the mastery of new skills when applying for new positions,” says Coughlan; and

A simple internet search will show you the wide range of short courses available, which means you can also use short courses as a way to change careers. It may take a while, but you can continue in your present career until you have the necessary skills to take the leap. — Margaret Harris