This document discusses options for further education while working full-time to boost one's CV. It provides examples of part-time education options like evening or weekend classes, distance learning, and short courses focusing on specific skills. It also notes that the type of qualification pursued should match one's career goals, and that on-the-job learning allows immediate application of new skills. Employers may help fund useful education, and self-paced options like e-learning provide flexibility.

1. Careers
your questions answered
❱❱ I have a full-time job but want to boost my CV
with further education. What options are there?
Quality professionals in all sectors competent to move into a new role, al- people on
are having to work harder to make though qualifications can also provide the move
their CV stand out from the crowd. formal recognition for current skills.
❱❱ Paul SimPSon
© RENé MANSI
Even though the country is in recov- If you are looking to develop your-
ery, the recession severely reduced self rather than aiming to qualify for Paul Simpson,
the number of jobs available which a new job, it would be worth asking MCQI CQP, has
means that more effort needs your employer what the most useful left the CQI to
to be devoted to ensuring form of education might be. There become Germa-
that you are the perfect may be areas that would be useful for nischer Lloyd
candidate for a job. your current job or even opportunities Industrial Servic-
Pursuing further to get funding from your organisation. es’ head of brand
education or As well as the type of qualification, protection. The
training courses you also need to make some deci- company is a
is one method sions about the method of study that global technical advisor to the oil
to boost a CV suits you best. Options include: and gas industry providing as-
and there are • Occasional full-day classes surance and consulting services.
a number of • Evening classes Paul’s role will include formulat-
avenues that can • Weekend classes ing brand protection policies and
be pursued while • Distance-learning with minimal strategies, as well as implementing
working full- or contact with students, but regular management systems.
part-time. Some email contact with a tutor
examples include: • E-learning such as e-seminars ❱❱ Catherine bithell
• Open/evening under- and podcasts The CQI has appointed Catherine
graduate degree courses • On-the-job learning. Bithell as its new executive director
• Open/evening Master’s degree Each method of study will take a dif- of external affairs. Her previous
courses, including MBAs ferent length of time. Some courses, employers include the Institute for
• National Vocational Qualifications such as an undergraduate degree, can Public Policy Research and the
• Certificates and Diplomas take several years to complete and union Unite.
• One- to five-day courses that require a significant commitment. A
focus on a specific skill or tool. diploma can take any amount of time ❱❱ allen matty
Different qualifications suit different between one and four years so you The West Midlands Chamber of
people and it is important you know need to consider for how long you are Commerce LLP, which provides
exactly what you aim to achieve by prepared to commit your time. support services and international
gaining a qualification. For example, And remember, don’t start a course trade support, to the region’s busi-
if you are looking into a manage- unless you are prepared to take on nesses has appointed Allen Matty
ment role, a shorter course on people the work. The best courses will allow as its managing director. Allen has
management might be more useful you to immediately practise what you more than 25 years of experience
than a full Master’s in quality manage- are learning. It’s only when you start in sales and management roles.
ment. The aim of studying should be applying your new skills and knowl-
to provide new skills that you need in edge that the real benefits of further ❱❱ John DavieS
order to clearly demonstrate you are education can be felt. John Davies, FCQI CQP, has been
awarded the title of professor of
quality management and business
development at the University of
Salford. John joined the univer-
please email your useful links sity in 1992 as a lecturer before
career questions www.direct.gov.uk becoming director of the Research
and job moves to www.open.ac.uk Centre of Organisational Excel-
editorial@thecqi.org www.thecqi.org lence in 2003.
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