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Which qualification is the best to help you succeed in your career? Ian Fraser sheds some light on how ABE qualifications can help propel you to career success.
Do you need a professional qualification in business? Yes, qualifications matter. In our increasingly competitive world you have to stand out from others.
Of course experience matters as well, but if you can show potential employers that you have the theoretical understanding of business, then you have the foundations to succeed irrespective of your experience.
If you know the principles as well as the practice you will undoubtedly be a better practitioner.
Which qualifications should you study? There are two paths you can choose between. These are the generalist and the specialist.
The generalist is for those interested in all areas of business. The specialist is for those who enjoy a particular area of business such as marketing, finance or human relations. If you are not sure which areas interest you, particularly when you are just starting your career, then it is possible to start as a generalist and specialise when you find what you like most. Both paths can lead to senior management positions, as managing director, general manager or chief executive if you are a generalist or the relevant director if you are a specialist.
SWhat other questions should you ask yourself? You need to consider the reputation of the qualification. Have employers heard of it? Who is the qualification provided by?
One of the main providers of business qualifications worldwide is the Association of Business Executives (ABE). ABE is based in the UK and has been offering business qualifications for more than 30 years. It is recognised by the British government’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and its qualifications are on the Register of Regulated Qualifications, so you can be sure of the quality and integrity of both the organisation and its work.
ABE offers courses from Certificate up to Advanced Diploma level. You can choose from six subjects covering both generalist and specialist areas. These are: business management, financial management, marketing, business information systems, human resource management and travel, tourism and hospitality management.
In addition ABE offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management. More than 50,000 students study ABE qualifications worldwide every year.
ABE is a unique body that allows students to train their mind completely to learn the business environment. It takes students a step further into the business world. I would recommend ABE qualifications to my colleagues as it has changed my views of business studies and created a sense of great enthusiasm in me to complete the entire business course because it is the best qualification I would say anyone could get.
ABE is a unique body that allows students to train their mind completely to learn the business environment. It takes students a step further into the business world. I would recommend ABE qualifications to my colleagues as it has changed my views of business studies and created a sense of great enthusiasm in me to complete the entire business course because it is the best qualification I would say anyone could get.
I would recommend ABE qualifications to my colleagues as it has changed my views of business studies - which I thought that it would not - and created a sense of great enthusiasm in me to complete the whole business course in every field because it’s the best qualification I would say anyone could get.
Where should you study? If you study in your own country, you will have the support of your family and friends. Alternatively you could study in the UK or other countries.
The cost is more, because you have the additional costs for accommodation, food, travel and other such items, but you gain experience of other countries which can help your personal and professional development.
ABE qualifications are taught at around 600 colleges worldwide (of which just under 200 are in the UK) so you can choose either alternative.
How should you study? Many people don’t think about the self-study option, but it is significantly cheaper and can be undertaken while working, and so continuing to receive an income. It requires self-discipline and motivation and many employers will recognise this when recruiting. The advantage of the traditional classroom is the support of teachers and fellow students, plus you have someone to ask if you don’t understand something!
I chose to study my Advanced Diploma in Business Management with ABE as the subject range the course provided was one of the most extensive and detailed I had seen around.
I have been working as a Cost Accountant for Novotel and I have found that the Managerial Accounting studied under ABE has taught me lots of things, from ratio analysis to variances, budgeting and many more theories that have enabled me to perform exceptionally well in my position. Most importantly, my understanding of motivational theories, organisational structures and communication theory and processes have gone a long way in helping me to understand general business and working environments within organisations, which in turn has helped me to settle into my present position.
I am now pursuing a professional diploma in web technology and doing my top-up degree in management. I also hope to complete the ABE Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management within the next 2 years.
I would and have been recommending ABE to everyone I know. Simply put, ABE gave me the confidence that I could do any program in the world.
Once you have obtained your qualification what is the next stage? Many students are happy simply to take a job as soon as they qualify because of their desire for an income. However, many other students use their qualification as a springboard to a university place
The various different levels of ABE qualifications are accepted by British (and other) universities for entry onto relevant Bachelor and MBA degrees. Thus ABE Diplomas are accepted for entry on the second year of degree courses, the Advanced Diploma on to the third or final year of degree courses and the Postgraduate Diploma for advanced entry to MBAs.
So not only do you gain a valuable business qualification in its own right, you can also save time and money by starting your degree from the second or third year.
I am an assistant manager at a Young's pub in Kingston where I oversee the day to day running of the pub, ensuring there is a warm friendly atmosphere for the customers to enjoy and relax in and get quality service and great value for money.
I heard about ABE qualifications upon my first visit to Fulham and Chelsea College, I had been looking at various institutes to study with, but when it was explained how flexible ABE was, I decided that this was my best option.
While being interviewed at the college they explained to me that an ABE qualification was internationally recognised and is a very sought after qualification in the Travel, Tourism & Hospitality sector.
Studying whilst working in the Hospitality field has shown me the mistakes I have been making in relation to staff management and I now have a more productive, happier team which has made my customers feel more welcome.
I would recommend ABE qualifications to friends as they are very informative and provide good background knowledge to run a very successful business.
I have not gained my qualification yet, but studying the course material I have become more confident in the hospitality industry and have more stable ideas for my future.
I would just like to say Thank You to ABE for helping to point me in the right direction and providing me with the proper skills to make a success of my life.
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