Training to climb the career ladder

MartialArtMan

I'm looking to move up the career ladder after spending years of not really focusing on my work. I'm a very competent and respected member of the work force and have been in my current place of work for approx 9 months after leaving my last job of 17 years.

I work in pharmaceuticals on the factory floor, I could probably get a deputy lead position fairly easily should the opportunity arise but feel that I am capable of much more. I am proactively pursuing opportunities as they arise within the company although feel I blew my last opportunity due to poor interview prep.

Anyway I get quite a bit of spare time at work so was thinking about studying an online course to help me progress (I've discussed this with my supervisor). I have been looking at a course to improve my Microsoft office skills, just a broad based course. Obviously I would like to have a recognised certificate at the end of it. My reasoning is that when I get to team leader/ manager position I will require the skills the course will offer. There are so many courses though I don't know which one to choose, figured one which is listed on MS website but the list is vast!!! Any recommendations?
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/on-demand-online-courses.aspx

I'm also thinking about doing a Root Cause Analysis course, probably an IASSC Green Belt course - https://www.reed.co.uk/courses/iassc-lean-six-sigma-green-belt-training-exams-includes-yellow-belt--bank-holiday-sale/73924#/courses/six-sigma-green-belt

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated

Marcon

Have you thought about discussing this with your manager and/or HR team to ask what opportunities there are for progression and also whether the company would support your further development by paying for training, time off, mentoring etc?

Plenty of free courses - see https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5960710/the-great-free-online-courses-hunt-updated-february-2019 Why not start with one of those to see how well you fare in terms of studying at home using an online course - it isn't for everyone and finding that out without charge is better than coughing up £500 or so and then finding that method of study isn't for you.

MartialArtMan

Thank you for the suggestion Marcon I have now completed a Lean Organisation Management Level 2 course with Vision2learn which I really enjoyed. I have also completed a free Lean Sigma 6 white belt course online which I paid £12 for the certificate. I would like to move onto a yellow belt but cannot find a course that doesn’t charge an extortionate amount for the certificate. Although have found Green and Black belt course on Groupon so that could be an option.

I discussed with my superiors about extra curricular training and funding but was told that unless it directly benefits my current position it won’t happen so it’s down to me!