ECDL for a computer expert?

Malory

I find myself confused about the whole "qualifications" thing in the UK. In the States, there are no NVQs or anything like that.
Employers look for experience and university degrees.

If your resume says that you have knowledge of, or experience with, a particular subject, you are taken at your word and if you are lying you will soon be found out. You might have to take a test as part of the application process (for example, to show that you know how to use a computer program.)

I have decades of office experience. I learned how to do things by having a manager or someone who was more experienced show me what to do. It doesn't take very long to teach or to learn. I never had to get a "qualification" to show that I can type a letter, make an appointment in a diary or answer a phone.

It's the same with IT stuff. If I want to learn a program, I buy a book and teach myself. I don't understand why I need to spend hundreds of pounds and sacrifice my time travelling to a learning centre/test centre to get a piece of paper that "proves" I can do something, when I can prove it by actually doing it. I gain no benefit from waiting for an instructor to show me how to do something when I can get my answer more quickly by looking it up in a book or just fiddling around on the computer until I come up with a working solution on my own.

If you have experience, how necessary are official qualifications, really?

Annisele

Malory wrote: »

If you have experience, how necessary are official qualifications, really?

I think it depends on the industry. For example, for some jobs in law or financial services, professional qualifications can be an absolute requirement.

I agree with others that, unless the job spec says ECDL is required, it's a negative. I put it in the same sort of category as 100m swimming badges and cycling proficiency certificates - they might have been difficult to obtain at the time, but they're unlikely to show you can do a job.

patman99

I did a C&G L2 in using MS Office. Not sure if this is higher than an ECDL.

Terrylw1

If its for MS Office and co, they also have their own covering their products. Again, these are going to hold as much weight as ECDL so for people starting out, movi g i to office work or supervising office people, maybe. To a web designer its nothing as you know how to open, save, copy paste, macros, spreadsheet building, etc so how would it add value? Essentially you would want to add value be choosing something at your level or beyond and ECDl is more core skill.

My company has offered it before but why add it when my work shows my value in more advanced methods? That's the question i asked, hence I left it.

As a web designer I would have thought your website portfolio would count for far more? And your experience which is the real work after any training.

MattLFC

If you wish to go for a web-design position, simply refresh your skills, and use your experience and skills to build up a portfolio to show prospective employers and/or clients. The ECDL is not going to be a drawback, but it certainly won't light up the world, there are better qualifications to attain, dependent upon what sector you wish to work within. If it's going to cost you money, I wouldn't bother, but if it's free, nominal or funded by someone else, then I'd consider it in your position, something is better than nothing?!

But many employers looking for graphic and web design candidates, will be more interested in knowledge, skills and a portfolio rather than qualifications - any qualifications you earn in IT should ideally be refreshed ever 3 years anyway, because the technology world moves so fast. I am considering updating my MCSA at present, and also need to renew my CompTIA qualifications this year, though I am quite fortunate that the company I work for, will pay for it all for me, including training costs, since it's in their best interest to have the best staff.

dizzyrascal

I did the ECDL years ago and it was very basic but it was also free at the time. Government wanted everyone to be computer literate or something. It is possible to pass it in a few hours but, as other posters have pointed out, I was in a room full of people who were not familiar with computers. Most were there from local gov/NHS etc. It amazed me then how much some people struggled with low level stuff but as they were mostly from low level admin roles I think they generally had to pass it. How else were they going to be able to do their jobs.
Most jobs in the UK will ask for a qualification or equivalent experience. If they don't then I would suggest that they want you to demonstrate why you think you can compete with the qualifications they ask for. Usually these are only minimum requirements anyway. Here is your chance to shine and show how technically able you are, and include any links to your portfolio. Try to use everyday language though as most people aren't very technical and they may dismiss your application for this reason. Especially if the role only requires general IT skills.
I think that it is also true in the UK that web design roles are not so bothered about qualifications and focus more on your portfolio and experience. I have often seen well paid web design roles where the minimum requirement is 5 GCSE's but they ask for x many years industry experience in Java etc. Most good web designers I know are either self taught or were taught in-house within the company they work for.