European Computer Drivers License (The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL))

Member Name: njfortune

Product:	The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
Date:	04/12/02 (797 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Extra Qualifications, Becoming more recognised with employers

Disadvantages: having to learn on your own from a book

Well since leaving school at the young age of 16 due to health reasons I have decided to further my education by taking on this course recommended by the Job Centre called European Computer Drivers License (ECDL) to enhance my job prospects. The ECDL course is available through most colleges and also some agencies may have it available as it is a very popular course. There are 7 modules in the course and the time it takes to complete all 7 really depends on your knowledge on computing. Within the 7 Modules are different programs which include: Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Basic Computer Knowledge (eg. name 2 differences between Rom and Ram), Internet and E-Mail followed by maintaining file maintenance.

I was put forward for this course through my local jobcentre and because I have a disability I am automatically able to go on the course (depending on room left on course). If you dont qualify because you have a disability I think you can be put forward (aslong as you are unemployed) as training for Work and you will still recieve your benefit with around an extra £20 a fortnight added. If you just fancy a change and want to go on the course I think you can go to the college and go through it but I believe you will have to pay a certain amount to go on the course. I am really enjoying the course so far and once you have finished the beginners module you may go onto the Intermediate level and then Advanced. After each module you can sit an exam (set whenever you feel you are ready) and if you are unsuccessful when you sit the test I believe you are able to sit it again. During the exam you are set a certain amount of questions and you are marked out of 30, during this time you are NOT allowed to browse through the books you read to complete tasks although you are allowed to check on the computer to see if you can remember the method, I find this quite helpful and I think it makes it easier to pass the exams. The cour
se enables you to gain knowledge on these programs which can be used in general day to day office skills such as word processing, data input or creating databases or tables for example. At the end of the day once you have completed the whole course successfully you are awarded a credit card sized card which has the name of the course you sat with your details on it so you can prove to employers that you were awarded with a completion of the course. I have so far found this course to be very worthwhile and I would recommend it to anybody who is thinking about applying for an office job, even if you are a computer novice I Find the books you are given very self explanatory. Overall I think this course is a big success and I would recommend it for those who wish to gain further career prospects and knowledge of Microsoft Programs. For more information on the course and its availability ask at your local job centre and they should be able to point you in the right direction.

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