Part-time courses – how online training can advance your career
Part-time courses are becoming more popular as an alternative to traditional teaching thanks due to the developments of modern technology. Traditional face-to-face courses, in the past, restricted learning to the classroom typically in term time, but the internet has opened up new ways of teaching for the time-conscious end user.
Courses such as Degrees, Masters and higher education certifications have quickly been adapted to distance learning, but the greatest growth has been in the areas of niche and specialist training. Today there are a wide variety of options available for anyone wishing to improve their skills in the hopes of advancing their careers.
The availability of courses leads many to question if they should consider taking one, but there is always an air of scepticism around the value offered by courses online. This article outlines the advantages of taking part-time courses for those considering their alternatives.
Part-time courses: The Advantages
There are plenty of reasons to take a part-time course, especially in a world where jobs are becoming increasingly competitive, and people are looking for ways to make themselves more valuable to current and future employers. Some of these advantages are outlined below:
Flexibility in Part-time courses
Part-time courses exist to fill a gap in previous structures of education. That is, they allow people with working lives the ability to gain qualifications while not sacrificing their ongoing careers.
A traditional part-time degree would take five years to complete, with lectures and classes normally occurring in the evening. Online courses provide an even greater level of flexibility since they can not only be done at any time but also anywhere thanks to smartphones and tablets.
Likewise, most other online courses are license based; you simply buy the course, and then have a period of twelve months or so to work through the course content at your own pace. It also allows you to focus and develop those skills and interests which are actually pertinent to your career or life, cutting out aspects of courses that are irrelevant to your interests.
Indirect Skill-building
To do an online or part-time course, one inevitably ends up developing skills such as self-discipline and time-management, since there is typically much less oversight than there would be with full-time training. This also helps with stress management and the ability to work under pressure.
Doing online courses helps demonstrate to employers that you can manage yourself and keep yourself on track with regard to deadlines. It also shows a level of commitment to further training.
Career Advancement with Part-time courses
If you are currently unemployed or between jobs, doing online courses is ideal for you. Not only do they serve as evidence you can use to explain career gaps to prospective employers, it also shows an interest in staying up to date with modern knowledge or professional practices, as well as a more general sense of curiosity and willingness to learn.
Improving Computer Skills
Any online courses require a level of competency with computers, involving adapting to new kinds of technology or in some cases communicating with coursemates, examiners, or support staff.
Also, it is likely that in many courses you will have to gain experience with writing reports, essays, or other submissions using software such as Microsoft Office. Using online courses can be a less intensive way of gaining experience with new software, which themselves are required in most job roles to some capacity.
Resource Efficiency
This one works two ways. Firstly, course providers giving online courses needn’t worry about having the capacity to support all those taking part in courses on physical buildings on real campuses or training facilities. This means costs are reduced, and there is more potential for profit, incentivising greater investments in online courses to improve their quality and push greater reach; the quality is always improving.
Secondly, it is more resource efficient for the learner. You don’t have to worry about travelling to a training centre or campus, don’t have to worry about paying a separate set of rent, and don’t (in the case of most non-degree courses) require textbooks and other resources; all you need is an internet connection and a device that can connect to it.
Overcoming Traditional Boundaries
Online courses can be a great thing for people who would otherwise struggle to attend these courses. Those with children don’t have to worry about training clashing with school runs since the course can be fixed around them.
People with health difficulties, such as physical disabilities that hinder movement and hence the ability to access some training centres find the ability to do courses from their own homes incredibly beneficial.
The same can be said of people with anxiety or other mental health issues who may find the idea of attending a group training course intimidating at best or impossible at worst; online courses provide unparalleled access.
They’re Cheap!
Cost is the main reason that many people probably take online courses. They are a cost-effective and inexpensive way to gain qualifications, explore interests, and develop new skills. A degree costs you between £27,750-37,000 before living and resource costs, which immediately puts many people off continuing their education or developing their skills. No online course costs the same as this.
With some courses, such as child care training, part-time courses provide the level of qualification required to progress in their chosen career. This means you can be fully qualified, working and earning money with several years of experience by the time somebody who tries to go into the same sector with a degree even appears on the application forms for jobs. As a result, this means that your investment goes further since you could choose to study multiple courses across multiple disciplines, making you more well-rounded in your skill sets.
Ultimately, the decision to take online courses lies with you. It is worth noting that they won’t necessarily replace the need for more traditional qualifications; you aren’t going to become a surgeon without going to university but all health care workers for example can benefit from some e-learning.
You should always think about why you want to do the course, checking if there are required alternatives you need to do to achieve your goals, and then decide from there. This is where we at TutorCare can help.
With a portfolio of over 600 courses, TutorCare offer recognised training for all sectors. From Healthcare training to e-learning for Construction, Health and Safety, and Retail Compliance our training platform are as accessible for individuals as it is for groups.
If you want to improve your skills in a flexible, cost-efficient, and productive manner, then consider an online course with TutorCare today.