Investing in People - Easement Solutions Ltd

I have been completing an online computing course, CompTIA A+ (Computing Technology Industry Association). This will involve 2 exams covering many aspects of IT. The first exam (core 1) tests your knowledge and ability to install, configure and troubleshoot hardware issues. It is very focused on mobile device support, not just laptops and desktop computers but mobile phones, tablets, printers, networking equipment etc. The course consists of virtual labs, which are virtual physical environments that emulate real life scenarios such as installing computer components and printer maintenance. There are also software-based environments which cover everything from setting up operating systems to setting up and maintaining networks.

The second part of the exam (core 2) is focused more on software. It covers troubleshooting Operating systems. Not just windows but also MAC, IOS, Linux and Android. It focuses a lot on security issues such as malware prevention and removal, managing and setting up user account policies and password management.

I am finding the course very interesting as IT is something I have always been keen to learn. My aim is to complete the course and then get some hands-on experience in the office performing IT technician duties. If given the opportunity, I would like to continue with further training and advance my skills even more in the future.

The CIPD Level 3 course was a fantastic opportunity to dive into the key areas of People Practice, giving me the essential skills and knowledge needed in the HR world. While there were definitely some challenges along the way, the experience was incredibly rewarding.

Business, Culture, and Change: This module was all about understanding how company culture and change management affect employees. I learned how to support people through transitions and how to create a work environment where change is embraced. It was eye-opening to see how culture shapes everything from employee engagement to overall business success.
Analytics: I found this part of the course especially interesting. It focused on using data to make smarter decisions in HR. Being able to analyse workforce data to help drive improvements and performance is something I can directly apply in my current role.
Behaviours and Essentials for People Professionals: This module taught me the core skills and knowledge expected of an HR professional, from recruitment best practices to understanding UK employment law. I found the legal side of things really helpful, as it gave me a better understanding of how to support both the business and employees in a fair and lawful way.

When I first started the course, things didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped. About six weeks in, my tutor left, and I was suddenly thrust into independent learning for what was initially expected to be just four weeks but turned into several months. We were assigned a new tutor who was new to teaching, so for much of the time, we had to rely heavily on ourselves to get through the material. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but I pushed through and found ways to stay on track.

Despite these challenges, I managed to complete the course and ended up with a High Pass in all modules, which I’m really proud of.

The course wasn’t just about theory – there were lots of practical tasks to help me apply what I’d learned:

Simulated Interviews: This was a great chance to refine my interviewing skills. It really helped me focus on the process and structure of evaluating candidates more effectively.
Recruitment & Selection Docs: I created detailed recruitment guides and selection advice, which gave me a better understanding of the whole hiring process, including the legalities involved.
Learning & Development Plans: I designed a plan to help employees grow within an organisation, emphasising the importance of continuous learning and development.
Performance Management & Rewards: This part allowed me to explore how to manage and motivate employees through performance reviews and reward systems that align with business goal.

Overall, the CIPD Level 3 course was a great learning experience that gave me both the knowledge and practical skills needed in HR. Despite the challenges with the tutor situation, I’m really proud of how I pushed through and successfully completed the course. The mix of theory and hands-on tasks was incredibly beneficial, and it’s given me the confidence to take on real-world HR challenges. The support from peers and instructors made the experience even better.