What’s it like to study CIPD courses with Stockport College?

by india

CIPD qualifications and courses help you build your career and enhance your professionalism. When you learn through the CIPD, you access research-led insights from the world’s leading experts.

At Stockport College, we offer the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice with various intakes across the year.

This internationally recognised and vocationally relevant HR qualification makes students extremely employable. It is for new and aspiring entrants into HR or existing HR personnel, HR administrators or Line Managers who wish to obtain a detailed understanding of the knowledge and skills necessary for HR management and practice.

We spoke to students Raine, Josie, and Hannah about their experiences on the course and their tutor Rachel.

Raine Curtis

My name is Raine Curtis, I am the Branch Secretary of the Manchester CIPD Branch. I am currently studying towards the CIPD Level 3 in People Practise at Stockport College and in light of the International Day of Education on 24 January I am going to share my experience and those of two fellow students also studying towards the qualification.

Throughout the course I have learned the wide range of different ways that HR professionals support organisations from the very beginning of an employees journey, the recruitment stage, right the way to the end of an employees journey, the separation stage.

One of the things I enjoyed learning about the most is the different ways employees can be motivated both intrinsically and extrinsically and gained a deeper understanding through a mixture of different theory such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Vroom’s Expectancy Theory and Herzberg’s Motivation Two Factor Theory, knowledge that can be utilised to implement an effective reward system.

I have also found learning about the business element particularly interesting in relation to SWOT, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that can affect organisations. As well as this, how vital it is for HR professionals to support by regularly identifying how each element can potentially impact in order to support by implementing contingency plans to protect the business.

Josie Beer

I began my CIPD level 3 in February 2022 as part of my HR apprenticeship. Learning the theory alongside working in my first HR role has been really interesting as it helps me to understand how and why we do things and the importance of getting things right for the people within my organisation. I have had the opportunity to learn about the core principles of what it means to be a people practitioner. However, I have also found it beneficial learning current and up to date content. Everything we have studied has been relevant, for example focusing on the aftermath of Covid and the current cost of living and how it impacts people within the workplace. This has sparked some really interesting discussions within our class and has allowed me to think about how I might need to adapt to any future changes. Alongside the content, my tutor and classmates have allowed me to gain the most from my CIPD qualification.

I have felt comfortable to discuss my ideas, been encouraged to ask questions and felt supported throughout the entire course. The people I have been surrounded by are ultimately what has made my experience a positive one and they have allowed me to get as much as possible out of the course. I am confident that I now have the knowledge and experience to successfully complete my apprenticeship in 2023 and continue with my HR career.

Hannah Buckley

I have had a great time studying my CIPD Level 3 qualification. During my time I have learnt many things which have helped me in my role as a HR Administrator. I have learnt about the external factors which can effect my workplace through the PESTLE theory such as Brexit and the cost-of-living crisis.

Furthermore, I have enjoyed putting theory into practice whilst taking part in the recruitment and selection process. From the course I have been able to understand the importance of the Equality Act 2010 and the correct way to undertake this process whilst avoiding any discrimination, whether that be direct or indirectly. I have been able to better my interviewing skills through taking part in the simulated interview role play.

I have understood the importance of wider reading and keeping up to date with the world’s recent news. I have done this by reading People Management and the CIPD articles regularly. Moreover, by having a great tutor who is very experienced and happy to support with all questions and learning, this has enabled me to better my skills and gain extra knowledge.

One of the most fundamental aspects you learn throughout the qualification is the value of people within an organisation. It’s the people that are that vital tool and having the right people in the right place can be instrumental to the success of an organisation. HR are the drivers and facilitators of change, fostering a positive culture and managing the most important resource, the people.

Rachel Darnley – Course Tutor

As a tutor of 33 years I’ve enjoyed teaching the students in this year’s cohort and watching their progression.

The three students who have shared their experiences have grown in confidence with the new knowledge and skills learnt since studying on the Certificate in People Practice with me at Stockport College.

HR is a critical function within an organisation and any student who attends the courses that we run at Stockport and Trafford College learn to recognise and highlight the value of their contribution as People Practitioners to customers and organisations.   

You can find more information on the course here.