Why consolidating years of experience into a formal qualification should be your next career move

Why, because it’s a smart one. It’s smart, it’s strategic and forward thinking. Something we need to heed to in our fast-moving business world.

A qualification is like currency. The higher your qualification level the more opportunity you may have and the greater your chances of progression.

What are the benefits of gaining a formal qualification?

1. It formalises your skills into legitimate evidence.
2. It can improve your pay cheque.
3. It can open doors to greater job opportunity.
4. It can empower you to go after your career dreams.
5. It can be meaningful and give you a sense of achievement and confidence.

While it’s true that not all professions require a qualification, having one improves your chances of obtaining work at; higher pay or greater responsibility.

What levels of qualifications are available and how do I choose which is right for me?

Depending on your years of experience and expertise, you may be awarded a certain level qualification without having to study what you already know.

Certificate I to IV. These qualifications involve basic vocational skills and knowledge that prepare candidates for further education and training. These qualifications can be recognised nationally and are usually delivered by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) or TAFE.

Diploma, Advance Diploma and Associate Degree. These qualifications are the equivalent of one year of study at bachelor degree level. They are still considered vocational skills and knowledge that prepare candidates for higher education. These qualifications can be recognised nationally and are usually issued by an RTO and TAFE.

Bachelors Degree and Honours. These qualifications are standard university qualifications and most often recognised worldwide (bar medical and health sciences). They are a theoretically based qualification that can have a research component in the form of Honours. Usually undertaken at a university and sometimes through TAFE.

Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas. These qualifications are above the standard university qualification. Usually, graduate qualifications are undertaken once completing a bachelor degree. They are composed of either research work or coursework and mainly theoretical based.

Master’s Degrees. This qualification is a post graduate degree and usually undertaken after your bachelor degree. It can be done by coursework or research but theoretical based rather than vocational skills based.

Doctorate Degree. This qualification is the highest university qualification attainable and can be achieved via coursework or research in the form of a thesis form.

Many institutes will recognise your skills and experiences, formal or informal qualifications you’ve gained throughout your life and count them towards new qualifications. This means you might not have to study what you’ve already learnt, saving you time and sometimes money.

So, if you’ve got the experience, consolidating it into a formal qualification could be a positive and life-changing move. If you are looking to have your skills and experience assessed to gain a formal qualification, CIT Solutions can help. Talk to us today about your experience or visit Recognition, redefined.