Additional FREE training to fill gap on CV?

Robtyketto

Greetings,

Whilst I'm looking for work I'm currently doing some self-study (T-SQL, C# and Asp.net) to ensure I won't mess up on another IT technical test (see previous post in this section) that I had in a previous job interview.

I've seen some free funded courses for English/Maths/IT (Very basic level) that can be done for the majority online.

Now I already have the following qualifications:-

• BSc(Hons) Applied Information Technology with First-class honours
• Microsoft 70-505 .NET framework 3.5 Windows forms development
• City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma for IT Practitioners software development
• Cisco CNNA Networking fundamentals certificate
• ISEB Software testing foundation certificate
• HNC in Computing
• NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Computing and Information Technology

However I never passed GCSE English or Maths, I got D's and E's many years ago (I'm now 32).

[FONT=&quot][/FONT]Do you think I should do these just to add to cv as well as genuinely interested to improve myself or continue to ensure my IT skills are up to date ready for the next interview (whenever it comes)?

These are only short courses and thought I could potentially do both.

Thanks
Rob

dave4545454

you should definitely do them. GCSE maths and english are the most important exams of all and the ones you use every single day and need for every job.

i've got a first honours too but the result i'm most proud of is getting an A in english language GCSE after being predicted a D.

the engineering degree is worthless but the A's in maths and english GCSE are priceless.

Robtyketto

dave4545454 wrote: »

you should definitely do them. GCSE maths and english are the most important exams of all and the ones you use every single day and need for every job.

i've got a first honours too but the result i'm most proud of is getting an A in english language GCSE after being predicted a D.

the engineering degree is worthless but the A's in maths and english GCSE are priceless.

Thanks for the reply, well these qualifications are adult literacy and numeracy, not GCSE level.

Details: http://www.exchangegroup.co.uk/courses/train_individuals_Courses.asp?id=3

For IT jobs I doubt employers care as It has never been bought up in the past by anyone ever including agencies.

However it is for my own benefit, the reason against doing GCSE's is the cost (I'm currently living of savings and don't think I will get any funds) after spending so much on degree and others I will not pay out anymore.

I could easily achieve A's though, these courses will be a walk in the park.

DVardysShadow

Robtyketto wrote: »

I've seen some free funded courses for English/Maths/IT (Very basic level) that can be done for the majority online....

Now I already have the following qualifications:-

• BSc(Hons) Applied Information Technology with First-class honours
• Microsoft 70-505 .NET framework 3.5 Windows forms development
• City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma for IT Practitioners software development
• Cisco CNNA Networking fundamentals certificate
• ISEB Software testing foundation certificate
• HNC in Computing
• NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Computing and Information Technology

However I never passed GCSE English or Maths, I got D's and E's many years ago (I'm now 32).

Do you think I should do these just to add to cv as well as genuinely interested to improve myself or continue to ensure my IT skills are up to date ready for the next interview (whenever it comes)?

Do them if you want to do them. But to put on a CV with your qualifications? I think it actually raises more questions than it answers - because these are specifically aimed at adults who presumably got no qualifications and want to show that they have some basic literacy and numeracy. In your case, the implied literacy and numeracy arising from your qualifications far outstrips these qualifications - to the extent that it could bring your judgement into question.

Do the proper GCSEs if you feel the lack of them - you can put them in the CV without a date under qualifications arranged in order of difficulty rather than in order of passing. That way they are at least a slight plus.

Robtyketto

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Do them if you want to do them. But to put on a CV with your qualifications? I think it actually raises more questions than it answers - because these are specifically aimed at adults who presumably got no qualifications and want to show that they have some basic literacy and numeracy. In your case, the implied literacy and numeracy arising from your qualifications far outstrips these qualifications - to the extent that it could bring your judgement into question.

Do the proper GCSEs if you feel the lack of them - you can put them in the CV without a date under qualifications arranged in order of difficulty rather than in order of passing. That way they are at least a slight plus.

I agree it would look odd on a cv, I think I will phone find out the full details and then perhaps do them just for my personal knowledge and leave them off the cv.

Perhaps mention them in a job interview.

I think I will prioritise practicing my IT skills working through exercises in books, home projects and helping a friend out building a website in asp.net.

GCSE local college courses are money and too long (33 weeks) it's a shame I can't just a sit an exam but they are coursework based too.

heretolearn_2

I don't see much point in your doing them - and I don't think you'd get a free place on it anyway (at least you wouldn't round here). These courses are for people with extreme problems in literacy and numeracy, and with a 1st class degree, that isn't you. They are SORT of supposed to be GCSE equivalent, but they aren't really, and few people accept them as the same thing.

They are basically adult's remedial/special needs classes. Most people going have some form of dyslexia (in my experience) and missed out at school/weren't diagnosed, or those who just peed about at school. And if anyone thinks I'm being funny about these classes, I'm not, my dyslexic son attended them for two years and it helped him get on an Access course, and he is now at uni.

But as an employer, I'd find it really weird of you to do these (even assuming you got a place).

If you feel the need to plug those gaps then the proper GCSE would be better for you.

Robtyketto

heretolearn wrote: »

I don't see much point in your doing them - and I don't think you'd get a free place on it anyway (at least you wouldn't round here). These courses are for people with extreme problems in literacy and numeracy, and with a 1st class degree, that isn't you. They are SORT of supposed to be GCSE equivalent, but they aren't really, and few people accept them as the same thing.

They are basically adult's remedial/special needs classes. Most people going have some form of dyslexia (in my experience) and missed out at school/weren't diagnosed, or those who just peed about at school. And if anyone thinks I'm being funny about these classes, I'm not, my dyslexic son attended them for two years and it helped him get on an Access course, and he is now at uni.

But as an employer, I'd find it really weird of you to do these (even assuming you got a place).

If you feel the need to plug those gaps then the proper GCSE would be better for you.

Out of interest why don't you think I would be entitled to them?

I'm currently out of work though don't claim a penny from the government.

What I liked most about those courses it seemed the majority of the work could be done at home in my own time, as I would be concentrating on my IT projects above these.

The learningdirect centre is literally 10 minutes away at a local school so will drop them an email if necessary then follow up with a visit :-)

My maths is a little rusty (I cant remember everything there is no about percentages for instance) but once anything is explained to me I can pick it up instantly.

Anyone had experience of such courses?

scottishf

I got a my Bsc in Computing with commendation, along with my other quals...but every time i went for an interview they asked if I had my higher english......so i did it last year..........Obviously the fact that I got an average of over 70% in my degree meant I must have had a good command of the English language....but never the less it seemed important to employers..hey ho

bristol_pilot

Don't do adult literacy and numeracy exams, these will simply destroy your credibility as a graduate. These qualifications show you up as NOT very literate and numerate, if you see what I mean - analogous to presenting a 'certificate of sanity' issued by an assylum. If you have time, it would be worth doing the real GSCEs in Maths and English as some employers will not take on anyone who does not have these qualifications - on the other hand you may never be asked as you have a degree.

BTW how can anyone get a first class hons in computing with weak Maths? When I was student you couldn't get onto any degree course anywhere in any subject without a B grade min in both Maths and English and with Maths A-level for computing and the like.

Robtyketto

bristol_pilot wrote: »

Don't do adult literacy and numeracy exams, these will simply destroy your credibility as a graduate. These qualifications show you up as NOT very literate and numerate, if you see what I mean - analogous to presenting a 'certificate of sanity' issued by an assylum. If you have time, it would be worth doing the real GSCEs in Maths and English as some employers will not take on anyone who does not have these qualifications - on the other hand you may never be asked as you have a degree.

BTW how can anyone get a first class hons in computing with weak Maths? When I was student you couldn't get onto any degree course anywhere in any subject without a B grade min in both Maths and English and with Maths A-level for computing and the like.

Here's my plan I will simply just brush up on my maths using ebooks/material from the web.

I have done financial and pure maths in my HNC/degree just wanted a refresher whilst I've got time on my hands.

I will invest all my time programming to add to my portfolio ensuring I score better in the next job interview test :-)

Thanks for all the input people!

LittleVoice

I sat the tests for Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy Level 2 certificates a few years ago. It was a quick way of gaining a qualification which is accepted as at an equivalent level (not equivalent qualification) to GCSEs A*-C by universities. I had taken 'O' levels decades before and had flunked maths in a very silly way and did not re-take. I needed to prove my competence in order to do a teaching qualification. However, I don't put them on my CV as I do have higher level qualifications and years of experience using those skills.

I would certainly take the tests and have the certificates available if the need for GCSE or equivalent (and you will find the use of equivalent in person specs) arose.