The age old conundrum of, study longer for more qualifications, or `get one quick` and head into the market for some real life experience has dogged learners for decades. Traditional higher education continues to educate learners with reams of text book information deemed appropriate within the learner`s chosen field of study, but not always practically applicable.
All too often, when newly qualified graduates hit the employment market, employers are less than impressed with their real business know-how and quantifiable skills. ISETT Seta is working hard to bridge this gap by actively engaging with education and training institutions to provide increasingly skills based training programmes, yet learners with marketable skills are still thin on the ground.
A company working very hard in line with ISETT Seta`s principles of preparing learners for the rigours of the employment process, notably in the Microsoft skills arena, is iSolve Learning Solutions, a division of iSolve Business Solutions.
Peter Clark, Managing Director of iSolve explains the decision to launch the Learning Solutions division, "as a committed Microsoft partner with notable hands-on experience and a huge collective knowledge base we decided it was time to put something back into the market. It seemed logical to use our expertise to develop top quality training material that would be beneficial to partners, our customers and of course, learners. We are particularly interested in the learnership arena and providing disadvantaged learners with real skills in the IT marketplace. We endeavour to offer training that bridges the gap between the theoretical offering provided by traditional learning institutions and the much vaunted practical experience required by any potential employer."
Clark went on to say, "as a solutions provider in the IT market as well as providers of training in the Microsoft field, we understand that companies want to invest in young employees with real, tangible skills in the workplace; knowledge of how business works and preferably the know-how to get on with a task or project. In a competitive market, it is very difficult, particularly for smaller companies, to initially bear the cost or effectively `re-train` young employees with `real` skills. There is an increasing demand for people who can quickly justify their cost to company not to mention become revenue producing in a short space of time, to be viable as potential employees."
iSolve`s solution to the skills versus knowledge gap was to develop a unique assessment process. This assessment process allows for the analysis of a learner`s skills set which is then accurately matched with the proposed direction they or their company wish to follow and to then identify courses and modules which will provide the best fit. Natalie McMurdo, Executive for iSolve Learning Solutions goes on to explain, "our ability to customise our courses, means that we are able to cater for the needs of all delegates with carefully structured courses that are both time effective and relevant to learner`s needs."
Naturally, the people providing training are also invaluable in ensuring the correct combination of skills and knowledge is imparted. iSolve`s approach of using experienced consultants rather than the customary trainers, to provide training, means that real life scenarios are presented to learners and this entrenches the real life skills approach, not simply trainer learned, textbook material. McMurdo emphasizes, "we are absolutely committed to ensuring that the highest standards are maintained with a team of consultant-trainers possessing an extensive knowledge of their subjects and, as they are active consultants, they are continually applying their implementation skills in the workplace."
The approach of combining training aligned with learners` skills levels by people with real market experience is certainly a promising approach and anything that gets graduate learners into real jobs with real skills efficiently is worth its salt.
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