Qualifications are they really worth it?
Discussion
Hi All
Here’s a little detail about myself, I’m 26 and have been working in construction since I was 16, I studied for 4 years to become an electrician and so far it has served me well. At my current place of employment I am responsible for quoting small works, parts sourcing and labour loading on small projects that the company has, as well as this I am working on the tools on a daily basis, whether it be project works or emergency call outs. For all of this I feel that I am pretty well rewarded for my efforts and things generally seem to go well.
But,
Last year I started back at college 2 nights a week for 2 years. I’m now entering my second year of a HNC in Building Services. I spoke to my company about them helping fund the course as it is exactly what we provide to our client, the answer I received was "we do not see how it will benefit the business" Ok off I go then. Jobs further up the chain are not likely to come available any time soon so I started to look for jobs that would take me away from working on the tools and more supervisory or management roles.
At a recent interview these are the things that stood out the most. The lady I was interviewed by had no technical knowledge and was just listening out for key buzz words, which to be honest was a little disappointing.
Then she later told me your C.V. does not command the salary that you are earning? Really? My manager is really happy with my work and has recently received a thank you letter from our client about the work I have carried out for them.
On top of that she said oh yes your HNC will be a nice thing to have but it’s not essential as we generally look for management qualifications? Just to put in perspective the course will cost in the region of 4K by the time I have finished with a lot of time invested as well.
My question is should I have even bothered starting the HNC or should I have just completed a construction management course? And is any of it really worth it? If you’re a competent individual surely that is the key?
Why would I like to move from my current employer? As above, no real positions opening up in the near future and I'm looking for a new challenge further up the ladder.
Thanks in advance
Trev
Here’s a little detail about myself, I’m 26 and have been working in construction since I was 16, I studied for 4 years to become an electrician and so far it has served me well. At my current place of employment I am responsible for quoting small works, parts sourcing and labour loading on small projects that the company has, as well as this I am working on the tools on a daily basis, whether it be project works or emergency call outs. For all of this I feel that I am pretty well rewarded for my efforts and things generally seem to go well.
But,
Last year I started back at college 2 nights a week for 2 years. I’m now entering my second year of a HNC in Building Services. I spoke to my company about them helping fund the course as it is exactly what we provide to our client, the answer I received was "we do not see how it will benefit the business" Ok off I go then. Jobs further up the chain are not likely to come available any time soon so I started to look for jobs that would take me away from working on the tools and more supervisory or management roles.
At a recent interview these are the things that stood out the most. The lady I was interviewed by had no technical knowledge and was just listening out for key buzz words, which to be honest was a little disappointing.
Then she later told me your C.V. does not command the salary that you are earning? Really? My manager is really happy with my work and has recently received a thank you letter from our client about the work I have carried out for them.
On top of that she said oh yes your HNC will be a nice thing to have but it’s not essential as we generally look for management qualifications? Just to put in perspective the course will cost in the region of 4K by the time I have finished with a lot of time invested as well.
My question is should I have even bothered starting the HNC or should I have just completed a construction management course? And is any of it really worth it? If you’re a competent individual surely that is the key?
Why would I like to move from my current employer? As above, no real positions opening up in the near future and I'm looking for a new challenge further up the ladder.
Thanks in advance
Trev
There is no right or wrong to this age old question, and nor should there be otherwise it would be a dull world out there. What we are all faced with is an imperfect world where selection and appointment to roles are made in as many ways as there are companies out there. What you have to do to be as competitive as you can be on the open market is to ensure that you have as much of what might be of value to the most prospective employers. And it is a blend of experience, qualifications and attitude; the more you have of each, relevant to your chosen trajectory, then you are most likely to be as competitive as you can be.
Obviously there are only 24 hours in a day and you will only have access to a certain amount of funding so you have to judge your own balance based upon your own sector and what is most in demand, and this can change over time so you really do need to keep a finger on the pulse in your chosen industry.
Your point about how your CV was interpreted; take this as valuable feedback that your CV may be in need of a review.
My mantra is to do the best I can in my chosen role, continue learning about that role and ensure that I am enjoying that role. This balance seems to work well for me and many others I know. Good luck!
Obviously there are only 24 hours in a day and you will only have access to a certain amount of funding so you have to judge your own balance based upon your own sector and what is most in demand, and this can change over time so you really do need to keep a finger on the pulse in your chosen industry.
Your point about how your CV was interpreted; take this as valuable feedback that your CV may be in need of a review.
My mantra is to do the best I can in my chosen role, continue learning about that role and ensure that I am enjoying that role. This balance seems to work well for me and many others I know. Good luck!
The first interview could have been with HR who had a tick sheet to get through score more than x and you come back for a second interview with the department you would have been working for. Qualifications open doors more easily as if you have a city and guilds or an HND or degree you have proved to someone other than those involved in hiring you that you have the skills and knowledge. The qualification saves them having to gen up or gain technical knowledge.
Thanks for your replies,
evo5star - I will have a look into these courses in the near future, maybe these are the key items employers are looking for.
rog007 - I think you could be right about my C.V needing a review, may even need to be re-written by one of these C.V writer people as they know more what HR/Employers are looking for. It is so subjective though, one person my like one style and another a different one.
singlecoil - This is what im finding more often than not and its more likely when you move into a new job you find out your boss/supervior is a blagger
Engineer1 - Thanks for the heads up on the "tick sheet" its definatley worth knowing, possibley I need to look at my answers in the interview room as well. All in all I suppose its all good experience.
evo5star - I will have a look into these courses in the near future, maybe these are the key items employers are looking for.
rog007 - I think you could be right about my C.V needing a review, may even need to be re-written by one of these C.V writer people as they know more what HR/Employers are looking for. It is so subjective though, one person my like one style and another a different one.
singlecoil - This is what im finding more often than not and its more likely when you move into a new job you find out your boss/supervior is a blagger
Engineer1 - Thanks for the heads up on the "tick sheet" its definatley worth knowing, possibley I need to look at my answers in the interview room as well. All in all I suppose its all good experience.
Trev
It sounds like you are looking to advance the way I have. I started out on a four year apprenticeship in Air Conditioning and 25 years on have ended up as an M&E maintenance contract manager (full P&L and operational responsibility for £6m worth of contracts and 25 staff in the team). No formal training really, just lots of experience. Don't discount your current employer just because they have nothing for you now, things change. Make sure they know you are willing to make the step up, much easier IMHO when you know the company, it's people and systems. Even if you are a bit out of your depth in a new role, having this under control makes life so much easier.
Be ready to take a step sideways if needed, even to a role you would normally discount if you think it will be a means to an end (everyone told me there was no way I would stick at a static role after 14 years mobile, I did as it was my foot on the ladder).
As for the interview, did she expand on these 'management qualifications' and how they benefit the other managers?
It sounds like you are looking to advance the way I have. I started out on a four year apprenticeship in Air Conditioning and 25 years on have ended up as an M&E maintenance contract manager (full P&L and operational responsibility for £6m worth of contracts and 25 staff in the team). No formal training really, just lots of experience. Don't discount your current employer just because they have nothing for you now, things change. Make sure they know you are willing to make the step up, much easier IMHO when you know the company, it's people and systems. Even if you are a bit out of your depth in a new role, having this under control makes life so much easier.
Be ready to take a step sideways if needed, even to a role you would normally discount if you think it will be a means to an end (everyone told me there was no way I would stick at a static role after 14 years mobile, I did as it was my foot on the ladder).
As for the interview, did she expand on these 'management qualifications' and how they benefit the other managers?
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