What are the benefits of short courses

 

Short courses run for a fixed time and can cover a specific topic or introduce a subject area. They're great for people who need to acquire skills and knowledge but don't have the time to commit to a diploma, undergraduate degree or master's degree.

Importance of short courses

• Develop skills: Short courses can help you gain new skills or improve your existing ones. They can also help you develop soft skills, which are personal qualities that can make you more attractive to employers.   
• Gain recognition: Many short courses are accredited, which means that employers and other institutions can recognize them.   
• Network: Short courses can provide opportunities to meet new people and network with people from different backgrounds and cultures.   
• Keep skills current: Short courses can help you keep your skills up to date.   
• Demonstrate commitment: Short courses can help you demonstrate your commitment to learning.   
• Identify interests: Short courses can help you identify your interests.   

How to choose a short course?

There are hundreds of short courses available... and not all of them are suitable for everyone. Here are some tips for choosing the right course for you:

• Define your objectives. Why do you need a short course?
• If you are looking to fill a business need, be sure you choose the course that will help you solve current problems, and that you can apply what you learn easily.
• Find out about the seriousness of the training organisation you are looking for (seniority, reputation, opinions of former students, diplomas and skills of trainers, etc.).
• Check the admission requirements: some short courses require you to already have certain diplomas or prerequisites.
• Check whether the pace of work is suitable for you (as the courses are very short, there are generally no worries in this respect, unlike continuing vocational training courses which can be very time-consuming).
• Find out about the output of the training. Are you interested in training for a degree, further training or a professional qualification? Some courses lead to certificates or diplomas, others to experience.
• Is the course you are interested in face-to-face? Distance learning? At the training organisation's premises or at your workplace?
• Check the cost of the course. Some courses can cost hundreds or thousands of shillings. Sometimes they can be financed.

Examples of short courses include:

• First aid management
• Health records management
• Public relations
• Psychology
• Marketing
• Digital marketing
• Customer care management
• Public procurement 
• Computer Application
• Graphic Design
• Langauages
• Care Giving