So what are the benefits of a CIPD qualification, we hear you ask…
It’s not a question that can be answered in one sentence because there are so many benefits if you want to develop a career in HR and/or learning and development.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualifications are globally recognised and highly sought after by employers.
In fact, according to the CIPD’s website, in February 2023 CIPD qualifications ranked the 10th most requested certification on job posts – making them more sought after than an MBA. And there’s no reason to think this has changed since.
What is a CIPD qualification?
Before we explore the benefits, let’s dig into what a CIPD qualification involves.
The CIPD qualification, awarded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, is a globally recognised certification that enhances expertise in human resources (HR) and learning and development (L&D).
There are three levels of CIPD qualifications to choose from, designed to suit all HR and L&D professionals at different stages of their careers.
Levels of CIPD qualification
There are three levels of qualification you can take with the CIPD.
CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate – perfect for those starting out in their HR career, you might have fallen into HR or be HR Assistant / Administrator who’s looking to expand your skillset with a formal HR qualification.
CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma – for those at the next stage, looking to enhance their careers by developing skills that will enable them to drive change within their organisation.
CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma – for senior HR professionals, this level focuses on strategic thinking and advanced management skills.
Whatever stage in your career you are at, it will be enhanced by becoming professionally qualified and maintaining your membership on an ongoing basis.
So, what are the five main benefits?
5 benefits of studying a CIPD Qualification
- CIPD will improve your career development
- Increase Your Earning Potential
- Not just theory
- You’ll Expand Your Network
- Ongoing support throughout your career
Benefit One – CIPD will improve your career development
If you want your career to progress, having a globally recognised CIPD qualification will enhance the opportunities presented to you.
This applies whether you want to achieve internal promotion with your current employer, or you want to enhance your chances of progressing your career by moving to a new organisation.
With recruiters specifically requesting the qualifications, without them your CV and application may simply be dismissed no matter how relevant your experience.
Many companies are struggling to find qualified HR professionals, with over 40% reporting that a lack of skilled candidates is making it difficult for them to hire the right people. This means there are plenty of job opportunities available for those looking to advance their careers in HR.
Benefit Two – Increase Your Earning Potential
The CIPD website states that people with one of their qualifications could earn on average +12% more than someone without. That can add up to several thousands of pounds a year.
This is partially due to enhanced professional credibility and partially due to the employing organisation knowing that the person’s knowledge will be up-to-date due to both membership of the CIPD and the requirement for qualified individuals to continue on their CPD journey each year.
Simply put, CIPD-certified candidates not only have the potential to earn higher salaries than their colleagues, but they actually do.
For instance, entry-level salaries for CIPD Level 3 certified HR Administrators and HR Assistants start at approximately £26,000, which is £8,000 more than what their unqualified counterparts earn.
By pursuing continued professional development up to CIPD Level 7, you could advance to roles such as HR Manager or Director, with a potential salary of around £60,000.
Benefit Three – Not just theory
When you are taking a CIPD qualification it’s not just textbook theory.
The courses embed real-life scenarios and allow you to implement your learning into your workplace as you progress through the qualification.
It is why the qualifications are so widely recognised and sought after – they transform you, which enables you to transform your workplace.
And we can all agree that people are an organisation’s greatest asset.
Benefit Four – Expanding your network
Whilst on your course you will meet other learners who are on the same career path as you.
This provides you with a peer group to support you.
Through the CIPD membership itself, you may be offered opportunities to meet other members which will expand your professional network.
Any professional who understands the value of networking will tell you, that no contact is a bad contact.
Opportunities can and do appear from the most unexpected sources!
Benefit Five – Ongoing support throughout your career
Whilst you are taking your qualification the CIPD website offers a Knowledge Hub and a Career Hub, amongst other resources. These offer fantastic support for both your learning and the development of your career.
Maintaining your membership once you have completed your qualification allows you further resources to support and develop your career and expand your network.
These resources include:
- Employment Law Resources
- HR-Inform Pro package (subscription applies)
- Events and networking – including the prestigious annual conference
- Discounts on CIPD courses for individuals and teams
- Insight on the latest viewpoints, thought leadership and news
And so much more.
Why choose Whyy? Change for your CIPD qualification
Whyy? Change delivers all training face-to-face. Many other providers only deliver online.
Whyy? do this for a very good reason.
Being part of a small in-person cohort (Whyy? limit cohorts to a maximum of 10 people) allows you to be part of a peer group who are all at the same stage of their career.
The delivery style is not a classroom.
You are not talked at.
It is interactive group work.
The theory is embedded by discussions, exercises, scenarios, case studies, etc.
Learners are encouraged to actively participate, which develops a deeper understanding of the subject area and also builds confidence.
Whyy? Change also includes CIPD qualifications as part of their Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship and Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship, so you can gain a globally recognised qualification as part of your apprenticeship course.
So not only are there benefits to taking a CIPD qualification, but there are also huge benefits to taking it with Whyy? Change.
Begin your CIPD journey to becoming a fully qualified HR professional with Whyy? Change, simply complete the form below to get started.
