No uni offers? 5 reasons why you should choose professional training instead of University

Welcome to Learning People’s sensitive yet sensible blog, for those navigating the clearing process. Not achieving a place at your ‘first choice’ university shouldn’t be viewed as a fail or that you’ve done something wrong. 

Perhaps it’s simply the universe telling you that it wasn’t the right fit for you at this time.  

The clearing process is set up to match applicants to university places not yet filled.  You’re eligible for clearing if you apply after 30 June, and are not holding any offers, or your place is not confirmed after exam results are published.  This process itself can naturally feel a little disheartening, leaving you to totally re-think what you want to study and where.  However, this isn’t the only option available to progress and advance into your chosen career.

Standard higher education like university will leave you with academic qualifications that in part for 2019, simply don’t match up with industry requirements. Most industry relevant academic accreditations are suited to healthcare, finance, or teaching. But what about the technology industry? If you’re looking to start a career in tech, professional training could be a real alternative to settling for second best through clearing. 

The following 5 reasons explain why you should choose professional training instead of university

1. A university degree simply isn’t enough to be career ready

Sure, if your goal is to fulfil a nursing role, then the pathway is not just mapped by academia but tried and tested by many.  However, should you wish to make your mark in project management or defend for the greater good with cyber security, then the broad studies of a degree simply do not teach the hard skills to deliver the work. Professional training often gives hands-on, real-world experience ready to start a career in your chosen industry. 

2. University is becoming more and more costly

According to Times Higher Education the upper limit for tuition fee loans is £9,250 per year. A typical undergraduate degree in the UK lasts three years, meaning that the average student debt amounted to £27,000 in 2017… 

The Institute of Fiscal Studies stated in 2017, that the average student in England will graduate with debts of over £50,000 – those from poorer backgrounds will incur more, with more loans available to them. 

3. Professional training focuses on industry relevance and employability

Learning People have been both alarmed and saddened to learn of university graduates being taught outdated practices. An example of this was a graduate learning old programming languages that are no longer used in web, app or game development! Professional training courses are regularly updated, meaning you’re always learning to latest tools and techniques. 

According to the 2017 Career Advisory Board tech skills survey, 60 percent of employers said that most job applicants don’t have the tech skills that they need for their careers. Also, half of the employers said there’s a tech skills gap in their employee base…   

4. The awarding bodies for professional certifications are set up and maintained by industry professionals 

If you’re looking for industry relevance, then stop the search. The very fact that professional awarding bodies exist in the first place is a result of organic and commercial demand.  CompTIA for example (the computing technology industry association) were formed in 1982 as a vendor neutral IT training provider, in attempt to standardise information technology training across the globe. Now in 2019, CompTIA are the global go-to for both entry point and lead IT careers. 

The PMI (Project Management Institute) provide professional certifications that recognise both knowledge and competency. With the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification being renowned worldwide as the gold standard.

5. Study time is significantly reduced

Gone is the 3, 4 or 5 year slog of labouring over lectures, dissertations and debt. Here to stay is focused, concise, job ready training that centres on the hard skills that matter.

To most people’s surprise a heavyweight project management certification can be completed in less than 100 hours.  A from scratch cyber security pathway can be completed in around 200 hours and the professional standard in UX Design can be met in just 120 hours. This is a very real reality due to only being taught the specifics to the particular job itself and not covering off the surrounding or background noise associated to the subject!

One of the biggest benefits of professional training is perhaps the delivery of training itself. E-learning is proven to beat classroom training hands down for retention, pace and flexibility. Imagine a world where you can study on your own schedule without the constraints or distractions of others. Online learning allows us to work with and around our concentration cycles, giving the opportunity to take breaks when necessary and plan for step by step achievements suited to you.

Want to get on the right track for you? Contact Learning People today for a full career consultation and rediscover your first choice for education and your career.