Last week I was sent to a UKCISA training course. This is a prospect many people would moan about. An early start, a long train/car journey, followed by several hours sat in a windowless conference room with a group of people you don’t know.
However, there are many positives to be gained by going to external training courses:
1) They are a great addition to your CV. Over the course of a year you can build up a portfolio of courses attended which show can show your enthusiasm updating your skills.
2) There is a lot of valuable knowledge and tools that can be taken back to your institution. Whether its handouts, new knowledge, or a different take on an issue, training courses can be a melting pot of ideas; Why not take some of these back to your own institution and propose some changes that could be made? In the worst case scenario they won’t be used, but even so you’re showing your line manager that you have ideas and are eager to improve your workplace, this might just stick in their heads when the next promotion comes along.
3) It’s a great networking opportunity. At the bigger training courses people from all over the country from institutions large and small attend. A handout of attendees names and emails are often handed out too, so no need to exchange business cards. And who knows when these contacts could come in useful.
4) If nothing else, it’s a day out of the office and a free lunch!
So ask your manager about potential training courses and see if you can make the most of the opportunity.
