Before embarking on the next step of your life, you always need to consider all of your options. There have never been as many chances to kick-start your career as there are today. While 20 years ago the clear path to a successful career without a doubt involved going to university, for some career paths, you can now obtain professional qualifications through apprenticeship schemes and professional governing bodies that offer a wide range of courses.
If you opt for the professional course route, you can pick and choose the exact subject you want to study – without having the study programme compiled by the academic body. Here are some of the paths and courses you can take locally to embark the career of your choice:
Finance:
Trust or Fund Administration
Jersey’s finance industry is the island’s largest, employing more than 13,000 people. There’s a huge variety of finance courses to choose from, including trust and funds administration, which continue to be growing areas in Jersey. Junior roles require good numerical and IT skills, good work ethics and problem-solving abilities. Qualifications include the COA (Certificate in Offshore Administration), the ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators) and STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners), which are the chartered memberships and qualifying bodies for people working in risk, governance and compliance, including company secretaries.
Accountancy
The AAT qualification is typically the minimum level expected of an accountant. The main bodies are the CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), the International Association of Bookkeepers and CISI (Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment), which offer the most relevant and up-to-date qualifications designed to help you thrive and adapt to constant change. To ultimately become a chartered accountant, you’ll need to progress to the ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualifications. These professional bodies provide courses for students and workers at all levels, giving you plenty of opportunities to get the qualifications you need.
Anti-Money Laundering
If you want to pursue a career in anti-money laundering, then an International Compliance Association (ICA) qualification is the ideal choice. Jobs in this area are plentiful and salaries are growing at a fast rate. Courses available include:
• ICA Advanced Certificate in Anti Money Laundering
• ICA Advanced Certificate in Practical Customer Due Diligence
• ICA Advanced Certificate in Managing Sanctions Risk
• ICA Diploma in Anti Money Laundering
Legal (Paralegal)
There are countless training opportunities in the field of law, whether you have just completed you’re A-levels or wish to obtain a degree. You can enter at Legal Assistant Level and continue with your legal training with a local law firm during university breaks. There are also opportunities for junior candidates seeking to start their career in law. This is a fast-paced and dynamic sector involving many areas including litigation, commercial, corporate, conveyancing, funds and personal.
Sales and Marketing
Jersey’s Professional Academy Study Centre offers development programmes that lead to accredited qualifications in management, sales, marketing and digital marketing. Accredited qualification pathways include the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM), the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Digital Marketing Institute.
Information Technology:
A career in IT can be diverse, lifelong and incredibly rewarding. Even within your first year of study, you’ll learn skills that you will help you personally and professionally, whether you’re at a business school or local college.
IT employment is positive and the industry is growing here at a steady rate. Qualified candidates are in short supply and there are plenty of skills that are in great demand, including cybersecurity, business intelligence, data management and software development. The IT industry is becoming more diverse with financial technology (Fintech) opportunities abound.
There are plenty of courses available throughout Jersey, which can be all you need to get into the field. Qualifications include training on industry software and programmes, as well as the following specific qualifications:
• MCSA (Microsoft Certificate Systems Administrator)
• MCSE (Microsoft Certificate Systems Engineer)
• ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library)
• Microsoft Certifications (categorised by function: Server, Desktop, Database and Developer)
Whichever path you decide to take, it’s worth registering with AP Group as soon as you decide to embark on your career, be it to support you while you study only during holidays, part-time or temporary. Keep in touch with the agency and update your progress, as this will give you the best chance to jump into a position and provide access to work when you need it.