Professional Development Diploma

“I studied the Microsoft Fast Track Diploma and the computer keyboard skills course two years ago. At the time I was completing my Open University degree, and panicking because I had to submit a properly- bound word-processed project, including diagrams taken from scientific journals and I barely knew how to switch the computer on! In my first session I was advised to undertake the introduction to Windows course first because I didn’t have even the very basics.
Having overcome that first hurdle, I really enjoyed the course. The supervisors were really helpful and patient, and never made me feel that I was being stupid, even when I was! I got a distinction for the diploma, and first class honours for the degree. I am now studying for an MSc at Edinburgh University, and I don’t know how I’d cope without the IT skills I gained through the diploma. Even though I’ve forgotten a lot of what I learned through lack of use, I feel I have so much more confidence to try things I would not have attempted before.
My typing speed will never set the world alight, but compared to my former two-fingered jabbing it’s brilliant. Even my teenage daughters have stopped laughing at my efforts!
Thanks to Pitman for a real confidence boost!”

“I enrolled with Pitman in August 2008, having been made redundant from my job as a Legal Secretary in July 2008. I studied the Pitman Upgrade to Fast Track Microsoft Skills Diploma. When I returned to work in 2000 having raised my family, I was unfamiliar with computers I undertook a very basic computer course and was lucky to be offered a part time job with a local Solicitors, but I always felt there was so much more to Word and Excel that I did not know. Having spent six months at Pitman doing the above course, I was lucky enough to get a part time job as a typist/receptionist with W R Hall, Chartered Surveyors. Although this job is very different to my last one, I have been able to make use of the skills I learned on your course, especially with Word and Excel.
Having been a volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau for many years, in August 2009 I was offered an admin job. I needed to use Access and could confidently do this having completed my training in that as well. I now have two part time jobs which keeps me very busy! I feel sure that I would not have been offered the second admin job if I had not learned Access, as this takes up a great part of my working hours.
I really enjoyed my time at Pitman. The staff were really friendly and helpful and it was a very professional environment to be in. It certainly got me through the six months I was unemployed, as it felt almost like going out to work on the days I attended the Training Centre.”

“I had previously enrolled on a ECDL course through Aberdeen College which I failed to complete as the course was primarily home based with pre-historic methods for learning the given subjects and using there computers wasn’t really an option because of full time classes and a raffle ticket method for trying to book a computer.
I work offshore so my free time is varied and is never the same month to month. I needed to learn these as more and more of my job required knowledge in how to use for example word, excel and outlook. I contacted Pitman Training Aberdeen and went into see Faye about the Microsoft Fast Track Diploma which covers all the key Microsoft packages used in any office. The flexibility in the Pitman Training method of training is what really attracted me to their course, I could go to there training centre at any time I wanted. The learning process is very well developed, and by means of listening, reading and most importantly doing flowing exercises I found I learned the given subjects very fast with ease.
I recently decided to set up my own Ltd Company to enable me to provide Maintenance services primarily to the Oil and Gas Industry for Gas Turbines, diesel engines, pumps and compressors. In doing this I decided to enrol on the Sage Line 50 course as this would help me with my book-keeping and the Dreamweaver course so that I could set up and maintain my own website for the company.
I would recommend anyone wanting to learn or improve their skills to train with Pitman Training Aberdeen. Both Iain and Faye have been really helpful and would not hesitate to enrol on another course with them if I need to.”

“Working as a secretary with Axis Media I felt that I needed to brush up my skills on some of the Office programmes that I was using as part of my job as well as gaining a recognised qualification. The Fast Track Diploma did this for me, and clarified some of the “mysteries” surrounding programmes such as Access which I had used slightly but never fully explored.
The course books and audio CD were clear and easy to follow, and the training staff were all very friendly and helpful, to the point of offering advice even after the course had finished.
Their unfailing cheeriness and sense of humour (together with the excellent facilities and pleasant working surroundings) added to the good atmosphere at the Pitman’s centre which is why I’ve now come back to do another course!”