Pitman Training releases new range of courses to help students stay one step ahead

After 18 months in development, Pitman Training, the leading supplier of office and IT skills training, is releasing seven self-study courses to teach Microsoft Office 2003. The new range will help its students enter the jobs market with the very latest qualifications, while allowing those already in employment to update their skills and keep their CVís one step ahead of the competition.

The new range of courses allows students to learn the very latest skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook, while allowing them to gain a nationally recognised Level 2 qualification through OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) by taking Microsoft Office Specialist tests.

OCR CLAiT PLUS 2006 is a qualification accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and is designed to recognise the skills, knowledge and understanding of IT users everywhere, whether in employment, education or training and is eligible for government funding!

Joanna Good, a student at Pitman Training Centre, Stevenage, knows only too well the importance of keeping her skills up to date. Having left school at 16 with no qualifications, Joanna soon realised that finding a job without any formal skills or training is no mean feat. ìI drifted aimlessly from job to job ñ career satisfaction just didnít come into it,î she said.

At 20 Joanna studied towards a handful of GCSEís but still, without any actual experience, a job that would eventually lead to a career was difficult to come by. Last year, she decided to do something about it and contacted her local Pitman Training centre. ìI was so nervous to begin with. I knew I wanted to pursue a secretarial career, but thankfully the staff at the centre were able to help diagnose exactly which courses I ought to be studying. Working through the course at my own pace made gaining new skills so much more enjoyable and convenient.î Soon after completing her Executive PA course, Joanna found her perfect job as a secretary working for Accord, part of the Jarvis group. But she says, her training days havenít ended. ìHaving struggled for years without any qualifications, I canít stress enough how important it is that people keep learning new things. While I may now have found a job I enjoy, I know I cannot be complacent. There are always new things to learn and ways to be more efficient. Iíll keep learning new skills as I know that if I donít, thereíll always be other people better equipped to do my job than me, and thatís not something Iím prepared to let happen.î

For more information on the new range of Microsoft Office 2003 courses offered by Pitman Training, or to find out how you can improve your skills through any of Pitman Trainingís office and IT courses, please call 0800 220454 or visit: