Using learning to change job
Learning not only improves your skills and confidence, it will have other benefits when applying for jobs.
Taking a course will give you something constructive to put on your CV and to talk about in interviews. This is particularly beneficial if the learning can be directly related to the job, but all types of learning can help.
As well as the opportunity to gain a qualification and develop your skills, knowledge and understanding, employers are impressed when adults return to or continue to develop their learning because it demonstrates:
- your self-motivation and commitment
- that you can manage your time by juggling study with other responsibilities
- that you are prepared to work hard to achieve your goals
- that you are committed to continual professional development
Find out what qualifications and skills are needed
- The job profiles within Job Sectors will give you an idea of the qualifications and skills needed for jobs that interest you.
- Have a look at advertised vacancies to get an idea of what employers demand. You will find some recruitment sites listed in Tips to help you get back in to work; the Find a job search facility is one of the UK’s largest databases of job vacancies.
- If you want to retrain after the impact of Covid there are lots of local and national opportunities.
- If you have questions, free careers advice is available from the National Careers Service.
Explore your learning options
- Once you know what qualifications or skills are required for the jobs that interest you, investigate what types of courses could meet your needs – see the What, where and how to study section.
- There are flexible ways to study so there should be a mode of learning to suit you and your circumstances.
- Find out what courses are offered at local colleges, training providers and universities.
- Don't forget that Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to train in paid employment, so this is an option worth investigating.
- If you have few or no qualifications, there are courses to help you get back into learning.