Professional Development Diploma

“The skills I have learned by doing the course have helped with my confidence and ability to carry out tasks quicker and easier. I was frustrated with my lack of knowledge of the various Microsoft packages and was convinced that there ‘must be an easier way’ of doing things. Not only did I brush up on my Word skills, my office skills got a complete overhaul and without a doubt, they helped me get the job I’m in now.
I proved to myself that I’m never too old to learn and that there’s always a need to update skills throughout your working career regardless of how long you’ve been in a role.
I was working in a recruitment agency on a part time basis and had finished the Pitman course when I saw the job on S1 jobs web site. I sent in my cv and went for an interview. Following the interview I sent a thank you letter which was one of the skills learnt in ‘Go Get That Job’. I was successful in getting the role and I subsequently found out that they were so impressed that I’d sent a thank you letter that they offered me the job over someone else who was equally qualified. Such a simple thing to do but very effective.
I would thoroughly recommend anyone to do a course at Pitman, whether it is a comprehensive course such as the Executive PA course or a single subject course. Not only has the organisation been going a long time and has built up an enviable reputation, but I also found the flexible method of learning suited my situation as I was working part time and was able to wrap the course hours around my job. The supervisory staff were very helpful and approachable and did their best to help you out.”

“I studied the Executive PA Diploma with Pitman. I started studying it in January 2013, it was a great way to start the new year.
Before training I was working in a pub. Having graduated from Glasgow University with an English degree, I found it very difficult to get a job and to know what jobs to apply for. I began working in a hotel for three years before I realised no matter how good I was at my job or how many shifts I had done, there was no room for growth.
Training really helped me, it helped me get some focus and direction and it was a great way to learn new skills. It allowed me to get up to speed with all the Microsoft packages and to get back into the way of using computing skills. It also allowed me to broaden my job search as I now had skills I didn’t have before and skills that companies were looking for.
I now work at St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, which I am really enjoying, where I have been employed as a Receptionist and Medical Secretary.
I really enjoyed my Pitman course, all the staff were very friendly and always willing to help out with any problems. I definitely feel if I hadn’t done the Pitman course I would have struggled for even longer to find a job.”