Which training course? Guidelines for choosing wisely July 1, 2018

Which training course? Guidelines for choosing wisely

Whether you’re just out of high school, looking for learning and development training or you’re choosing something new later in life, choosing a career path can be a scary, yet exciting time. There are always things to consider. Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as ‘following your passion.’ To choose the right course of study, there are certain factors that come into play.

Choosing your course doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process, it’s not something you’ll necessarily have to live with forever. But, by making the ‘right’ choice from the start, you’ll have a better chance of a life-long career that brings money and success.

With sound guidance and some due diligence, you can avoid the pitfalls of choosing a second-rate training provider and you will know what strategies to employ so that you will be able to choose your next training provider or course wisely.

GUIDELINES

Identify the Course & Your Selection Criteria

To begin your search, you should start by getting clear on the objective or purpose you have in mind for taking a course. Is it an access course or one that you want to use to enhance already existing skill-set? How much time do you have to devote to the course? Are you willing to travel, if needed, to complete the course?

It is not unusual for students to have to travel some distance for good training courses. How much money are you willing to invest in taking the course? With these things in mind, begin by building your own list of the type of course and the criteria that are important to you.

Balance Your Workload

If you’re attempting a new course of study on top of a job, a family life, etc., it’s important to consider what the workload will be. If schooling is your main focus, you may be able to take on more courses at once. This can allow you to complete the training faster but doesn’t leave much room for anything else. If you’re already in the midst of a career and are looking for something new, you might want to consider a program with a lighter workload. Some courses take more time than others.

Does your training course provider offer multi-channel, hybrid learning options?

Learning doesn’t happen in the classroom alone. Virtually everyone prefers different modes of learning. Effective learning needs to take a multi-channel, multi-modal approach. Classroom sessions, “live” webinars, post-training reinforcement coaching, online learning modules, Q&A sessions, podcasts/audio and e-mail reinforcement need to be combined into a powerful learning journey.

Accreditation

Accreditation is essentially the industry’s ‘stamp of approval’. Training organisations must go through a rigorous process to gain the accreditation which usually involves a review of the course content, a review of the presenter and his/her experience and a review of the organisation as a whole. Only when the institute is satisfied of the course quality and ability to deliver will the accreditation be awarded.

Course Structure

The course modules should follow a methodical and logical structure, nicely flowing from one to the next. Good structure ensures that the course content is covered and stops the presenter from jumping from one topic to another. This avoids confusion and allows you to focus on learning. Think of the topics as building bricks to learning – they gradually build towards a complete picture of the subject.

Looking for courses in Londonand struggling to choose adult courses in London? Find out more about the training courses in London.