It’s never too late to retrain for a new career; you can even get financing
HAVE YOU made any resolutions this year? There is still time!
Perhaps one of the areas you want to change for the better is your career.
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Maybe you would like to work in a completely new field, take on more responsibility or even become your own boss. It’s all possible.
But where do you start? It can all feel so overwhelming. The Skills for Life campaign can help you get started.
View training options on the Skills for life website at your own pace.
One way you can increase your skills and employability is by gaining a new qualification, which you can do part-time alongside your job or other commitments.
There are government-backed courses at all levels, which can be taken by anyone over the age of 18.
Is a Higher Technical Qualification something for you?
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are developed with employers so you can get the training and skills you need to succeed in the workplace.
HTQs come in different types, including Higher National Diploma.
They are between A-levels and degrees, and can be taught at a college, university, independent training provider or technology institute.
You can study for an HTQ full-time or part-time.
They are perfect for gaining a high-quality qualification that can prepare you for the career you want.
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Cyber-smart
Student Khawar Ahmad, 41, says studying for an HTQ in cybersecurity is one of the best decisions he has made.
The IT graduate lives in Solihull with his wife Asiya, 37, a school administrator, and children Ayyan, 14, Ayesha, 10, and Mustafa, 9.
Khawar had worked in banking for 15 years and was on a career break when he saw an advertisement about HTQs at his local university. The timing was perfect.
He explains: “After university I needed a job and ended up in banking. I stayed there for about 14 or 15 years and have no regrets. I enjoyed it.
“I started as a personal banking manager and really went for it – at the age of 21 I was the youngest branch manager ever at Lloyds Bank.
“But in 2015 I decided to go to Pakistan because my parents were there and my mother was ill. She was bedridden at the time.
“I continued to work there in banking, but when we came back three years later I thought: I need a career change and I want to do something different.
“I used to go to my gym down the road and Solihull College is on the way. Every time I drove by I saw these registration banners.
“I’ve always had the urge to do something in IT, because that was my original field when I graduated.
“The banner said something like: ‘Adult courses, registration is now open, come and talk to us.’
“So one day I decided to go there and see what courses they had to offer, and if they had anything in the field of IT.
“I discovered they were working on cybersecurity, which was something I really wanted to do. This was last July and the cybersecurity course started in September.”
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Given his background in the financial sector, the transition to cybersecurity felt like a natural progression for Khawar. He liked the long-term employment prospects and versatility that the sector brings.
“I met the course coordinator, Gary, and he was so positive, a really nice guy.
“We had a good chat and he said to me, ‘There’s a lot of theory involved in the first year, but if you’re up for it, I think it’s a great course for you, and you will. very good.’
“I thought, it sounds great – why not?”
It was a big decision: Khawar would make a two-year commitment, which would mean managing his family life with studies, and there would be costs involved.
But it was a sacrifice he was willing to make: “I was like, you know what, it’s a no-brainer – I’m doing this because I need a career change and for my family. I am going to do it.”
The results would be worth it: he knew that cybersecurity is a well-paying profession with growth opportunities.
“It is a growing field. If I want to change my career, obviously with having three children, I also need to be financially stable.
“Cybersecurity is so important in financial institutions, healthcare, government, everywhere. Everyone is very concerned about the protection of data and sensitive information.”
Khawar was delighted when he discovered he was eligible for WMCA (West Midlands Combined Authority) funding.
Even if you are not entitled to student finance, if this is the first time you have received student finance, this can help cover tuition costs. There are also maintenance loans to help with living costs, which allow you to gradually repay the loan once you start earning above a certain amount.
Is an HTQ right for you?
Higher technical qualifications are technical qualifications developed with employers so you can get the right training and skills to succeed in the workplace.
New topics are rolled out every September. In 2024 there are various sectors in which you can take courses. Think about:
– Digital
– Construction and the built environment
– Health and science
– Engineering and production
– Education and early years
– Business and administration
– Legal, financial and accounting
They last one to two years and you will receive a recognized qualification.
Research has revealed that courses at this level improve earnings compared to A-levels, and can increase earnings faster than studying at university level.
Part-time and full-time options are available so you can choose what best suits your schedule.
HTQs come in various forms, including Higher National Diplomas, Higher National Certificates, Foundation Degrees and Higher Education Diplomas.
Look for the HTQ logo or banner on approved qualifications to ensure they have been assessed against the skills employers need.
It’s fine if you already have a degree or if it’s your first time studying after school.
You must be at least 18 years old, but there is no maximum age limit.
Costs vary depending on the course, but can be around £7,000 to £9,250 per year for a full-time course. You may be eligible for student grants or your employer could consider financing your education.
Just like with a bachelor’s degree, you can apply for student finance, which allows you to pay tuition fees and a maintenance loan to contribute to living costs.
Most bachelor’s degrees take three years, while HTQs can be completed in one to two years, meaning you borrow less and can quickly enter your chosen field.
A new challenge
Khawar attends Solihull College on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9am to 4pm, allowing him to combine parenting responsibilities with studying.
“I do the school runs and then go to university.
“I will have to start from scratch, but with my extensive experience I am confident I can come through the ranks to provide for my family once I complete the course.”
He is one of about 20 students taking the two-year HTQ course, learning all aspects of the industry, from computer programming and database management to data protection and the spectrum of cybersecurity threats.
“It is very interactive with the teacher. One teacher teaches us theory and the other teaches programming.”
Teaching is varied and practice-oriented. At the college they receive special guests, such as security experts, to share their expertise on current cybersecurity problems.
The assignments are varied, allowing students to put what they have learned into practice. For example, Khawar recently designed and presented a cyber training company called Widney Manor Networking Solutions (WMNS).
“I love it,” says Khawar. “It’s a challenge because I’m not in study mode anymore. But I’m getting awards, which proves I can still do it.
“Because I am one of the few adult students, many students come to me for advice on projects. I serve as a teaching assistant where I can share my advice.
“It’s great to be in a mixed class of different ages and I’m happy to be able to pass on some of my experiences to others who are just starting their careers.”
Age is not a barrier to signing up, he says. “I had a long conversation with Saana, a teacher who was a bus driver before the retraining.
“I thought, ‘Wow, if he can do it, I can do it too.’
“If you decide you want to do this, you can. I’m the kind of guy who likes challenges.”
Khawar says he would recommend an HTQ to anyone. “Maybe I will start teaching, start my own company or join the many companies that are currently looking for qualified specialists. I’m not sure where I want to go yet. Everything is possible.”
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