Advice needed on Online E-Courses (Are they worth it?)

snowqueen555

My workplace (retail) offers online e courses, I am wondering if these things actually improve employability, as they are only a few hours here and there, and you get a printed certificate (WOW!) on completion.

E.g. For a possible career route I'd like to work with vulnerable people, they don't offer any real qualificaitons, but a lot of NSPCC short courses. Are these worth taking, at least to show I have taken the time to learn something, despite no experience? Thanks

Is it also worth taking any other courses that wil give me something to put on my CV, even if they are apparently random? e.g. They offer a UK recognised Health and Safety Certificates (this is more substantial, 100 hours).

Basically I am looking to do anything that will help my employability, will these courses or random accredited certificates do that, or are they just useless?

Thanks

Emmzi

some online courses do give a recognised qualification. eg I am currently doing a government funded level 2 in diversity and equality, online.

have you contacted an employer in your chosen field and asked what qualifications, knowledge and experience they are looking for?

snowqueen555

To be honest I don't know what I want to do in life, I do know that while I am stuck in this job I should try and take advantage of the potential free training they offer! Unfortunately 90% of what they offer are either basic knowledge courses, or courses for managers and supervisors.


That equality and diversity one sounds up my alley, but its not available for me

jfh7gwa

Find out where you want to be. Search for jobs online that represent where you want to end up. What are they listing as essential criteria for getting the job? What elements are desirable but not essential?

There's your answer whether it would add value to your CV or not i.e. improve your employability. They're only worth as much as the skills you gain from them - and if employability is your aim (as opposed to just finding the course interesting, which is a good enough reason on its own) then you need to look at the opinions of the people that count. Future employers!

Emmzi

snowqueen555 wrote: »

That equality and diversity one sounds up my alley, but its not available for me

It was available to everyone who'd been a uk resident for 3 years, I think. I got it on an email from Reed otherwise I wouldn't have known about it.

http://www.vision2learn.com/