Anyone work in L&D / CIPD qualifications

[Carrieslostshoe]

I’ve most of my career in education. A significant portion of that has been spent doing education work in professional bodies / membership overseeing professional development and qualifications. I have a senior role but have hit a ceiling in terms of progression. For various reasons I am thinking about about a career pivot and had been considering whether working in L&D might be a logical move. Having looked at a lot of roles, many prefer you to be CIPD qualified.

Keen to hear people’s experiences of working in L&D, doing a CIPD course and whether it’s essential.*

*I know in my own job I’d be telling people exactly why professional qualifications are important so this is a bit hypocritical!

Hopeful bump!

In L&D it's somewhat less critical than in an HR role with an employment law component, though employers will always ask for as much as they can get! You could probably parlay an interview if you really worked your CV and covering letter. But what does "doing education work mean"? Have you been training adults? If so, surely you're already doing L&D?

Hi

I have a similar background to you (Education)- and undertook the L3 CIPD recently.

What I learned during the year long, assessed course was that CIPD qualifications seem to need you to be already IN an HR role - the evidence you need to supply for essays and assignments should come from this role. They will try to sell you the course without this but please beware - your grades will reflect actual practice not hypothetical ideas or plans. Two of us on my course were not in role and our grades suffered - each time the lecturer would ask for actual data from your company to analyse- not a case study you had found online.

Could you move into an L&D role within your current firm and undertake a CIPD?

Also just to say.... I'd wanted to start straight into the Level 5 or even Level 7 (I have a degree and a Masters in another field) however I was told if I took the L5, or higher, I'd have qualifications that exceeded my actual 'in role' experience and this could lock me out of a career change. I'd have everything on paper - but no viable experience to back this up and at interview this wouldn't look great. Also I'd not have the in role evidence for L5/L7.

Maybe your situation is very different- I'd just take care around advice - ask current L&D Directors for this - not anyone that wishes to sell you the qualification.

I'd also ask an L&D Director or Manager for an informational interview - where you interview them to find out more about the role - and some work shadowing to see if the job appeals in the round. Find them on LI- maybe some within Education would be kind enough to help. Good luck! :)