Sponsored Editorial

If you look around at job adverts but feel you need to boost your CV and skills to get your dream role, there are plenty of opportunities for you to do just that.

EKC Group – which runs six Colleges and several training sites across East Kent - has a host of courses designed for professionals looking to get a step up at work or seeking a change of career. The best thing is that many of these options are available as part-time or short courses, meaning you don’t have to quit your current job to study a new qualification.

Ranging from stone carving to accounting, there are dozens of subjects that can lead your professional career down a new path or give you a new lease of life.

Greg Shea decided to hone his Carpentry skills as a potential ‘Plan B’ career, taking advantage of the weekend course offered at Canterbury College. He said: “I really wanted to learn more about the trade as I come from a family of carpenters, with myself being probably the least competent one.

“I was made redundant this year and, though I found a job, I still wanted to learn these skills as I’ve never had a trade I could fall back on as a Plan B.”

When asked what he would tell people considering applying for a weekend course, Greg said: “Don’t be nervous, you’ll be in good company and it doesn’t matter if you are a complete beginner or you know some skills already.

“The lecturers really do adapt to your level of knowledge and your learning style, and work hard to make sure you’re actually taking in the information so you can get a qualification at the end of the course.”

If your working hours often change, or you have dependents who you care for, then perhaps you’re concerned about being able to attend evening or weekend classes. But you can instead complete qualifications at work either online or in the form of apprenticeships, which allow you to learn while earning money. While an apprentice you complete training at an EKC Group site but on a less frequent basis, instead picking up a lot of the skills on the job.

There’s also ample opportunity to get involved, with the Group’s EKC Training umbrella boasting numerous sites across the county to complement its six Colleges. With seven employability centres, a Plumbing and Electrical Training Centre in Ashford, a Rail Engineering Training Centre in Shepherds well, and a Civil Engineering Training Centre in Hersden, you can have an enhanced experience no matter where you are in East Kent.

Apprenticeships are an excellent way of learning through practice, be it on a work site, in an office or wherever you happen to work. With options such as Carpentry and Joinery Level 2 and Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 6, it doesn’t matter how far along you are in your career as you can always become an apprentice and boost your qualifications.

One person who achieved a higher position as a result of her apprenticeship is Sharon Williams, who became Deputy Operations Manager in Urology for East Kent Hospitals NHS University Foundation Trust as a result of her apprenticeship.

She reached the position of Medical Secretary Supervisor after 20 years with the NHS Trust, but felt she wanted a new challenge. Sharon recalls: “I knew I needed a qualification to progress, and when apprenticeships started up again after lockdown there was no question - that was what I wanted to do.

“I chose to do the Team Leader Level 3 apprenticeship and I have just moved into a new role as a Deputy Operations Manager, so it has worked.

“I would not have been able to do this unless it had been supported by the College and the hospital. I really enjoyed being in the classroom, and the teachers, learning, camaraderie and facilities were great.”

To find out which courses can benefit you and your career, click here.