ECDL - is it L'Oreal (worth it)?

[Halifaxmum]

Hello peeps

I'm thinking about re-training, am considering doing the ECDL, then maybe some college courses in Sage.

ECDL seems to divide people - some say it's not worth anything, as no employers ask for it or consider it worth having - others say it is worth having as it shows basic competence in IT.

My question is - should I do it first, or is it a waste of time?

I would really appreaciate your opinions! Ty

[Buenchico]

I've hardly ever seen any advertisements for jobs where employers have specified that candidates with an ECDL are preferred.

However I've seen thousands of jobs advertised where 'competency in all areas of Microsoft Office' is a requirement. With employers sometimes getting hundreds of applications for a single vacancy, anyone who can PROVE such competency (by producing an ECDL) may well have an advantage over someone who can only STATE that they've got Office skills.

Chris

[Chaffinch]

When looking at C.V's, I look for good basic education, like GCSE's in Maths and English (C or above), along with three other subjects. I'd also rather have a GCSE in IT than an ECDL, but its better than nothing. If your re-training why not just do smoe GCSE's they'll get you further with employers.

[Halifaxmum]

Thank you all - I do have GCSEs in English, Maths and others (all A-C) but they are from the 80s lol!
I feel that I need something to show I can work with computers, I think I will probably do the ECDL, then maybe move on to the ITQ Level 2 then 3...?

[Halifaxmum]

Chaffinch - you're not employing at the mo are you?!

[bibblebub]

I passed the ECDL in Office Software earlier this year and there are definitely some job adverts that explicitly mention it. It can't do you any harm to have it on your CV unless, perhaps, you have only just left school.

[Craftypig]

I did the ECDL extra earlier this year, personally i dont think its worth a w*nk, the fact that it is called a "computer driving license" makes it sound ridiculous. It looks good on the old CV though.......

[squarebear]

An ECDL is worthless. To pass, you need to know things like what is a mouse. Why should you backup your data and so on.

[Greedyfly]

I did ECDL as it was free at the rime and have applied for a few jobs that state computer qualification required. I have mostly been looking at the NHS and usually they state ECDL desirable for lower paid jobs.

I found ECDL useful as I was a complete computer novice. Athough now I would choose to do another course rather than the ECDL.

[poodicat]

As others have said,i started it and gave up half way through,didnt enjoy doing it,no one bothers if you say you have it,lots dont even know what it is...

[Mosaic]

Couple of things you need to know before choosing ECDL:
There is only pass / fail on each module. It does not matter if you get 32/32, or 24.5 / 32, you have passed. If you get 23.5/32 you have failed. A few borderlines are re-marked and decided on. I have taught kids who have bust a gut and failed by 0.5 which is heartbreaking all round. Similarly, the lazy sod who got lucky is accorded the same pass as a genius.
The actual course content is mind-numbingly boring and the exam questions are as much a test of literacy as ICT skills - by this, I mean many questions use double negatives eg ,tick the box to show which of these is not a........;, which are confusing under pressure.
However, it is easily recognised by employers so 'ECDLor equivalent' is often an essential.

[karenmac60]

It depends what you want to do. I work in libraries and ECDL is essential criteria for all applicants.

[Mosaic]

So are cardies.

[karenmac60]

It's been a while since you were in a library then Mosaic.

[Mosaic]

nope. am a very observant member of libraries all over the place. Cardies.

[MrMister]

I did an ECDL years ago and it really does add value to your CV and is good for employment prospects. These days there are so many courses to choose from that are similar or equivalent to ECDL from the days when I took it.

Courses range from CLAIT Plus and E-Qual etc that are said to be equivalent (or in some sense higher) then ECDL. Not sure which is affective or in demand these days, but an ECDL is well worth it.

Just for the record, I'm actually considering doing an Advanced ECDL.

[lucca]

Chaffinch - do you really assess candidates' "good basic ...... English"? I hope not, judging by your own standard. Incorrect use /non-use of apostrophes, "If YOUR re-training", "SMOE GCSE's they'll get...". You wouldn't get a job from me.