Human Resources Student Stories:
CIPD Student Stories: Heidi Brand | CIPD Level 3 Certificate

When searching for HR positions, Heidi soon realised that most, if not all, were looking for candidates that had a CIPD qualification.

I am currently studying the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice and about half way through the course as of right now.

I have always had an interest in HR and in previous roles I had done a fair amount of recruitment. Many of the positions that I was looking at wanted more HR experience or a qualification, specifically the CIPD.

A couple of my friends had done the CIPD with ICS Learn and they both recommended them to me. I therefore decided to do the Level 3 as I hoped it would be a good taster as to what to expect if I wanted to progress further in the future.

I also haven’t done any structured form of learning since I was at College and was worried that I wouldn’t be able to find the time whilst also working full time and I wanted to ease myself back in more gently.

When I was looking at what company to do the CIPD with I knew that I wanted to do a course that was purely virtual, I didn’t want to be doing a day at College.

I needed it to fit in around my work and personal commitments and felt that doing it virtually would give me that flexibility.

However, it’s great to know that you have your tutor there for support if you need anything and they always respond in a timely manner.

The forums are also useful for talking to others doing the same programme – allowing concerns and best practice to be shared.

It was also really good that I could pay for the course in monthly interest free instalments – rather than having to pay for the whole course upfront.

I’m really looking forward to finishing the course and hope that having this qualification may open up more opportunities in HR for me in the future – particularly in the learning space.