6
QUALIFICATION
How Do I Know Which Qualification To Choose?
If you intend making a career from the course you are choosing to do it is highly recommended that you get a valid qualification that is recognised by employers and insurers. This means that whether you choose to look for employment or start your own business your qualification will be valid in which ever route you choose to take. So when researching your course you should check to see what awarding organisation is validating the award. A good start would be to ask the training provider you are thinking of using, or researching their website. Ideally the qualification should be mapped into the National Qualifications Framework (nqai.ie for more information) You should also check with your training provider and ask if you can get insurance on completion of your training. before you commence your training. If you are concerned about the qualifications offered by the college ask who the awarding body is and ring that body to make sure the college is licensed to deliver the awards.
Valid awards that have been around many years and are also recognised internationally include ITEC, City & Guilds, CIBTAC & VTCT. FETAC awards are also mapped into the Irish National framework of qualifications but at time of writing they are not as credible in the industry as the ones previously mentioned.
Choosing A Provider
There are different types of providers you can choose who fall into 2 main categories of public and private. Public colleges have the advantage of subsidised education although many of the courses in public colleges such as VECs are full-time and can be difficult to access because of the numbers that apply. There is a perception that these type of courses are free but fees have increased in recent years and you should check the full costs before enrolling. The other option is private colleges which are fee paying but can provide a lot more flexibility in when you can train. Private colleges also run programmes throughout the summer which can provide more flexibility. Courses can also be studied at evenings and weekends with training been covered in shorter time frames. However, which ever option you choose, quality of training can vary from college to college Ideally it would be preferable to speak to a past student, although this is not always possible. Alternatively you could search for reviews on the internet or check out relevant online forums but there are some early warning signs the might indicate how a college conducts its business such as
First Point Of Contact
When you make the first contact (by phone or internet) is there someone to help with your query?
Do you get all your questions answered?
Are you happy with the response?
Can they post you information?
Does the information arrive promptly or do you have to request it again?
If you choose to train with the college will they offer you support outside of course hours?
What kind of support and learning resources will they provide you with during training?
Do they have postgraduate courses if you wish to pursue other qualifications?
Can you pay your fees by installments?
Can you meet management or trainers in person?
WHich
& Choosing A provider