Help with CIPD qualification

londongirl1984

Hi all

I'm stuck and would really appreciate any help you can give. I studied for my Certificate in HR Practice last year and am waiting for my confirmation (all modules passed). It seems though that I'll have to study more since my ultimate goal would be to work overseas, either Europe, South or North America.

I've had a look online at the CIPD website and noticed there are intermediate and advanced levels in HRM. A couple of my colleagues have suggested that I skip the intermediate as the advanced would be what I need, but I have no degree already. I started work at 16 and then have done NVQ's and my CHRP. Advanced is equivalent to Masters right? Thinking that may be a teensy bit too much.

What's making all this worse is that it's likely my company will be going through a huge restructure within the next 18months and therefore likely to offer VS. I work in Employee Relations which is a specialism I want to stay in, but I already feel bored at my level. To move upwards in another company with the market how it is, I know I need a further qualification, just not sure where to start yet...

Any help would be grand. Is intermediate 'worth it'? If I want to work abroad, would a CIPD qualification be of any help anyway? I doubt I'd be able to join a university led equivalent (or even a plain undergraduate degree) since I don't have A-Levels (only NVQ's and my CHRP, neither of which carry any UCAS points I believe).

I feel so stuck

saintjammyswine

Next Step may be of use, they give free, independant advice on training & careers, not just for people out of work. Google for your local service. You could also contact your local FE College as most offer these courses commercially and so may be able to offer some advice & guidance on which would be best for you, might be useful to speak to the tutor.

londongirl1984

Thanks, but what is an FE college?

KiKi

Advanced is equivalent to a post-graduate diploma. I can honestly say that having done a degree beforehand made absolutely no difference whatsoever - as long as you have some good HR experience to draw on, if you've done the CHRP I think you'd be fine. The Inter would be repeated a bit at Advanced anyway.

I would think very carefully before going for Intermediate level, and this is why: both the CHRP and the Inter quals only give the 'Knowledge' requirement for Associate membership (you can then 'upgrade' to Assoc with either of these quals). If you want Chartered Membership, you have to do the Advanced level (and 'upgrade'), or forget the qual and do the 'Experience Assessment' route, IF you have the right level of experience.

It depends what you want to achieve: do you want another qual because you want to learn more? Or are you specifically looking for Chartered Membership? Or do you want both? If you want both, I'd go Advanced.

From a job market perspective, the Inter won't give you anything extra, to be honest. Employers will either want 'CIPD qualified' (which means Chartered Membership) or they will accept Assoc - both are professional levels of membership. So an Inter qual won't give you anything extra there - I'd only recommend it if you want to learn more for yourself, as you already have the Foundation level.

Feel free to PM if you need any more CIPD specific info.
KiKi

dizzyrascal

Hi
My local university will often take people on to post graduate courses without an undergraduate degree, especially when you are already in post.

We may consider you without a first degree if you have the necessary experience and/or an HR credit-bearing qualification, for example a CIPD accredited award, and can demonstrate an ability to complete the course.

I would have thought that you were a perfect candidate for this type of qualification so I would approach your local university to see if they offer this part time or by distance learning (Could be any university for this option).
I work with someone who has only studied post graduate HR qualifications as she worked in HR for a while, so had the necessary experience. I don't think this is an uncommon route for HR professionals
I would say that MSc/MA level study is harder and more pressured than undergraduate study by at least you can complete it in stages if necessary, PG Cert, PG Diploma before completing the full Masters.
Don't worry about not having A levels at this stage, it is not important now you have the relevant work experience.

saintjammyswine

londongirl1984 wrote: »

Thanks, but what is an FE college?

Sorry, education speak!

FE = Further Education. Also known as vocational or technical colleges. The ones that do BTEC, NVQs etc rather than A Levels.