Which training or short course

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Produced by a partnership of StudentForce for Sustainability and The Institution of Environmental Sciences. Funded by a generous donation from The Duke of Westminster

Last updated 17/01/2006

 

Learning and Developing

Which training or short course?

Describes what to look for in choosing the right training provider and short course

Lists the websites to find the right training course.

Short courses can be used as a way of gaining skills and knowledge in a particular field. They may be specific to a role or process (job related) or they may provide the opportunity for to gain more general "life" skills (Personal Development). By definition short courses are limited in the amount of time it takes to undertake the course and can be conducted either by attending a venue for 1-7 days or distance learning where the materials are provided to complete the study in your own environment. Short courses are also a great opportunity to meet like minded people or gain new contacts although be aware that they are not networking events. Many short courses can be treated as "stand alone" study but good courses will offer follow up support as part of their structure. It is vital that any study is treated as development and not just training. This can be achieved by actively using the skills or knowledge gained during any course undertaken.

The most important thing to consider when researching or undertaking any course is whether it is right for you. You must ask yourself whether the content of the course meets your own training needs. Obtain a copy of the course outputs and objectives, do they match your needs? Think about what your training needs are, is there a gap on your CV, a job selection criteria that you never quite match or an area of your life or job that you struggle with?

Issues to consider when choosing the right short course

Accreditation

Many courses are accredited by professional bodies or learned societies. These courses are likely to have a higher value with respect to job hunting and CV editing. They can often contribute to the requirement by professional bodies for continuing professional development. This type of course will commonly issue a certificate on completion and will undergo constant review, evaluation and monitoring to maintain standards.

Price

A higher attendance fee does not always mean a better quality of training.

Fashion

Training and development has fashions. Be careful not to fall into a trap. Will the course material still be relevant to you in 6 months time?

Track Record

How long has it been running, can you see some feedback from past courses or do you know someone that has been on it?

Attendance

Try to find out how many delegates are attending. If you are looking for one to one, interactive tuition it may be better to avoid a course with 200 delegates.

Material

Courses and training can be delivered in many formats. You may wish to find out if there handouts available, or if there is any follow up material or training provided.

How to find the right course?

Environmental courses are provided by an increasingly wide range of organisations :-

This PDF lists sources of training for work in the environment sector:

Which Short Course