Since the internet has increased in mainstream popularity, many people have used it to improve their everyday situation, with distance learning being one of the most popular. However, one of the problems with this new wave of distance learning providers has been knowing whether the course you are doing is actually worthwhile, in terms of it teaching you the appropriate skills, and in terms of recognition in the workplace. An easy way to tell is to look at the content and outcome of the course. In the case of computing courses, for example, a course should be designed to lead towards an exam set by the producer of that software. Other courses might be recognised by a professional body, such as the Association of Accounting Technicians, whilst some packages might be offered by providers recognised by the DFES as relevant. However, some courses might be designed to simply give you a starting point in your career, and demonstrate your commitment to taking a new job in that area, which employers will value.

Distance learning courses are one of the best ways of showing an employer that you respect the skills required to do a particular job. Because a good learning provider will give you a breakdown of the course content before you start, you have a clear list of the skills and knowledge you have as a result of the course. Even if you have some experience of some of these, many people find it is easier to demonstrate them to an employer with a document showing what you've covered, rather than trying to explain and argue them from past examples. As recruitment processes in big organisations such as large businesses and government departments becomes more automated (i.e. your application is often submitted online and screened by a junior HR executive before being seen by a manager), it is important you can clearly demonstrate the basic requirements of the job you're looking for to help get a 'foot in the door'.

Whilst employers value academic qualifications such as A levels and GCSEs (or CSEs and O levels), it is often recognised that many people will not possess them, and other relevant skills will be looked for. Taking a home distance learning course can demonstrate your basic ability for numeracy or literacy, as appropriate, but also might actually be more beneficial to a career than a more traditional 'academic' type course. Distance learning courses are generally tailored to the workplace, and an employer will be attracted to those people that they do not need to spend extra investment on to build their skills in a relevant way. That said, having taken the initiative and personal or financial commitment to take a course in your own time, you may find yourself first in line for further training opportunities or promotion in the workplace. This makes distance learning not only equally valid to a 'face to face' course, but possibly more so, from a personal and an employer's point of view.

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