Professional Diploma Brochure

Professional Diploma Programme

9 month programme for A Level Leavers

A professional, exciting and supportive training organisation, providing school leavers with the business skills, confidence and attitude that employers are looking for.

The Professional Diploma Programme

CONTENTS 3

About Quest Professional

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Why Train and Begin your Career with Quest Professional

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Our Professional Diploma Programme

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Content of the Professional Diploma Programme

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Future Careers for Quest Professional Graduates

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Social Life at Quest Professional

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Student Accommodation

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Quest Professional Alumni Network

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Come and Visit Us

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“A massive thank you for everything that Quest Professional have done for me over the past year. I could not have got where I am now without you! I will let you know how my first day goes!�

Katharine

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| The Professional Diploma Programme | QuestProfessional

ABOUT QUEST PROFESSIONAL

Who are we?

Quest Professional are an independent, innovative business training organisation offering exciting and dynamic training programmes to school leavers looking for a supportive and workplace-aligned training environment in which to begin their careers.

After completing the best part of the last twelve years in an educational cycle of exams, coursework and further examination, it is naturally understandable that some students will look to break away from this academic wheel.

The environment at Quest Professional provides a solution to this need, offering a range of inspirational training programmes, all helping students to get one step closer to their first proper job. The Professional Diploma Programme is our most comprehensive programme, offering students an exciting, diverse and relevant set of business skills, commercial knowledge, confidence and career guidance. In the space of 9 months students undergo that ‘lift’, completing the stepping stone between school and working life, and undergoing that transformation from a student to young professional. The Professional Diploma Programme equips students with an invaluable set of transferable skills attractive to today’s employers and ensures that they are fully prepared for the challenges presented when job hunting or beginning working life.

- Director -

If you are a student looking for a stepping stone between school and the working world, then Quest Professional may be the right place for you....

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Q.

A.

Why train and BEGIN your CAREER with us?

We offer comprehensive and supportive business training programmes, where students are exposed to a variety of practical business skills and industry sector knowledge.

We focus on opening opportunities and, through our training, aim to equip students with everything they need to face employers at interview and begin their first jobs confidently – no matter what industry sector they choose to pursue.

82% of Quest students secure a job within 8 weeks of leaving us

Our supportive environment in which students are allocated personal mentors and encouraged to set their own targets moves Quest Professional away from the school environment and towards an appraisal-based working environment.

Measuring progress in this way, combined with the practical and employer-driven training on offer, makes Quest Professional a refreshing alternative to university and a great stepping stone between school and that first career.

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| The Professional Diploma Programme | QuestProfessional

Preparation

Our scheduled career guidance and preparation

programmes, combined with our in-house recruitment team and external client relationships, provide students with a very modern and experienced approach to CVs, job hunting and interview technique.

Talks from industry experts, careers fairs, networking events and trips to external companies are all used to give students a thorough insight into the numerous career paths and opportunities available upon graduation from Quest Professional.

Confidence

Confidence, attitude and teamwork are three

major factors that are vital to the success of a school leaver entering the workplace as a young professional.

Through a thorough Personal Development Programme every Quest Professional student should see these three key attributes developed, enhanced and fine-tuned, optimising their ability to impress at interview and further down the line once their careers have started.

Network

Quest Professional appreciate that a first job may

or may not be a job for life.

We therefore have a flourishing alumni network and an open-door policy when it comes to the CV, job-hunting and interview advice needed by our alumni who are looking to make their next career move.

We regularly welcome back passionate alumni who give up their time to support the professional development of our current students.

Finally, Quest Professional encourage a healthy work/life balance and are proactive in arranging many fun and varied events for all students to dip in and out of as they wish!

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The Professional Diploma Programme

WHAT IS IT? Our Professional Diploma Programme is a unique and inspiring nine-month training programme, providing comprehensive professional business skills training and personal development to school leavers, preparing them for the challenges of embarking on their first career.

It is a fantastic alternative to university, an engaging, interactive and full-time training programme designed to enhance a school leaver’s employability.

Students will develop their knowledge of marketing, PR, events, Apple and Microsoft IT, entrepreneurial skills and basic business finance, amongst other topics. All training and coaching are inclusive, supportive and take place in a variety of settings, ranging from classroom-based activity to gaining real-life practical experience. As well as concentrating on business skill development, Professional Diploma Programme students follow a rigorous Personal Development Programme, focussing on confidence, attitude, leadership and teamwork from day one.

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| The Professional Diploma Programme | QuestProfessional

Built into the diverse training schedule of the Professional Diploma Programme is a thorough careers programme, preparing students for the challenges presented by recruitment and working life. Students are exposed to different industry sectors, job specs and roles, and shown how to adapt CVs to each role, write covering letters and answer competency‑based questions at interview. When the time comes for job hunting, plenty of networking opportunities are available to students, along with the guidance and connections provided by Quest Professional’s inhouse recruitment team.

The transition from being a school student to a young, working professional is an exciting phase in an individual’s life; however, we appreciate that it can be daunting. Each student at Quest Professional is therefore allocated a personal mentor, who they will work with and who will be their main point of contact during their time with us.

The Professional Diploma Programme aims to maximise every student’s potential and open up exciting career opportunities, which students should feel equipped and confident enough to embrace, showing a prospective employer that they have what it takes to face today’s workplace challenges.

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The Professional Diploma Programme

Training Programme Content:

Finance Debt Personal budgeting

Marketing

The Budget Economics

Concept

Financial markets

Relevance to an organisation

Business documents

Stakeholders Competitive advantage Innovation Marketing mix

Percentages and VAT Invoicing Petty cash Expenses

Competition Segmentation and target audience The marketing environment Market research International marketing

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Business Skills Meetings AGM Rackham’s Behavioural Analysis Itineraries

Current Affairs IT – MS Office and Apple

Introduction to and discussion of current news

MS Word (including mail merge and advanced functions)

Political spectrum

MS PowerPoint (and business presentations)

Political parties Parliament and government

MS Outlook (and diary management)

Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet Ministers

MS Excel (and business finance)

Prime Minister’s Question Time

Apple IT (intro to MAC OS)

Law-making Voting and elections European Union Middle East Devolved governments Debates on topical issues

Business Law Contracts Equal Pay Act 1970 Sex Discrimination Act 1975

Personal Development Programme

Employment contracts

ILM presentation skills unit

Maternity rights

ILM developing yourself and others

Duress

ILM team unit

Advertisement law and copyright law

MBTI

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The Professional Diploma Programme Practical Advertising Print TV Online Radio Outdoor

Business English How and when to plan a document Adapting tone and style to different audiences Business vocabulary Structuring long pieces of writing Spelling, grammar and punctuation Research methods Referencing Format of letters, emails, memos, press releases and reports

Office Skills Time management Diary management

Proofreading

Telephone manner

Formatting of documents

Delivery and postage

Punctuation

Organising events Corporate gifts Expenses Common queries and research questions

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Text Processing

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Training Programme Content: Social Digital Media Why businesses use digital media Digital strategy and planning

Practical Workshops Simulation of real-life working scenarios

Twitter for business Facebook for business Google Plus for business

Shorthand Teeline theory Blends, word grouping and special outlines Speed and accuracy

Web and Web Design The internet Principles of web design Creating and updating a website Creating and editing graphics Editing cascading style sheets

Events

Introduction to HTML Bookings Logistics Health and safety Risk assessment Promotion Budgets Evaluation

Cloud Computing Using SaaS and web apps Conducting business ‘in the cloud’

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The Professional Diploma Programme Business Enterprise Principles of entrepreneurship Skills, values and attributes needed by an entrepreneur Problems and tasks Calculating resources for projects

Sales

Innovation

Sales management

How to set up and run a business

Sales presentation Models of practice Sales negotiation

Human Resources and Negotiations Role and function of HR HR planning Recruitment and selection of staff Role of training and development Performance management Grievance, discipline and conflict resolution procedures HR documents

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| The Professional Diploma Programme | QuestProfessional

Training Programme Content: Career Development Programme Work Experience Opportunity to gain practical office experience

Careers, industries and CVs Industries overview Public and private sectors Financial and creative industries CV introduction LinkedIn Writing a successful covering letter Targeted covering letters Online job applications

CV

Interview preparation Mock interviews Interview feedback Applying for jobs Group interviews Following up an interview How to deal with your first week in a role

“We feel that we have given Charlotte the best opportunity in sending her to Quest and it has been wonderful to watch her grow as a person, in her self-confidence, and to see her enjoyment in all that she has learnt with you.”

– Jeanetta Rabey, mother of Charlotte, who graduated in June 2011 – QuestProfessional | The Professional Diploma Programme |

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YOUR future CAREER

“Thomas was an absolute pleasure to work with; he integrated very well within the team. He was confident to ask people that he did not know for help and guidance.”

HR Manager, Hilton Hotels & Resorts

“The LK Bennett e-Commerce department has taken Quest students over the last three years. We have found them all to be capable, professional individuals who have fitted exceptionally well into the e-Commerce and Customer Services teams.”

Director of e-Commerce, LK Bennett

“Jemma joined the team in a pressurized environment, and coped very well. Senior members of staff highly rated her, and it is to her credit that she has secured a job with the firm.”

Partnership Administration Manager, BDO LLP UK

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| The Professional Diploma Programme | QuestProfessional

It is highly likely that you have chosen to train with Quest Professional because of an end goal that you have in mind: to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence that you need to begin your career successfully.

From Day

1

of the Professional Diploma Programme time is

dedicated to developing a thorough understanding of the current job market, industry sectors, salary expectations and potential career path that a student may choose to make. CV formatting, covering letters, rehearsing competency-based interview questions and undertaking mock interviews are all addressed during the training schedule. Students are also invited to network with recruiters, employers and alumni throughout their time with Quest Professional.

A thorough careers programme, networking opportunities, careers fairs and employer relationships developed by our in-house recruitment team, combined with each Quest student’s proactive approach to job hunting, currently sees a high proportion of students gaining employment upon graduating from Quest Professional.

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LEAVERS DESTINATIONS Upon Graduation from Quest Professional Quest students go on to pursue a variety of careers within a variety of different organisations.

Here are just a few of the companies that some of our recent students have gone to work for:

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KPMG

Hugo Boss

Knight Frank

CBRE

Guy Carpenter

Hogan Lovells

Savills

Crone Corkhill

Sky Media

BDO

Marsh & Parsons

JP Morgan

Oakley

Addleshaw Goddard

Montagu Evans

Hatty Blue

Page Personnel

The Royal Household

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Goldman Sachs

Sacker & Partners LLP

JWT Communications Agency

Henry Poole

| The Professional Diploma Programme | QuestProfessional

“Charlie’s career is progressing very well with Goldman Sachs.”

– Clifford Trowse, father of Charleena Trowse, who graduated in June 2011 – “For me, not going to university was the best choice that I have made.

At 22, I am working in one of the top four financial firms, in a brilliant role that I thoroughly enjoy, have a great salary, benefits and great prospects for the future.”

– Georgina –

“Becky has secured a job with Addleshaw Goddard, a law firm near Moorgate!

I just wanted to thank all of the staff at Quest who helped her during, and after her training programme – it has been much appreciated.”

– Jackie and Tony, parents of Becky, who graduated in June 2013 – “I would highly recommend a course at Quest to anyone who is unsure about their future. It has opened up so many new opportunities that I have never thought of before. It has definitely been a worthwhile period in my life.”

– Freddie – “Thank you for arranging Gaby’s work placement at BDO which led directly to her being offered a permanent post. At a time when employment is so hard to come by, we feel that Quest has come up trumps and justified the value of the course.”

– Sue Shanahan, mother of Gaby, who graduated in June 2013 – “I love Quest, love the people and the trainers.

I look forward to coming in every day.”

– Current Student, 2014 – QuestProfessional | The Professional Diploma Programme |

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SOCIAL LIFE at Quest Professional

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| The Professional Diploma Programme | QuestProfessional

Accommodation Choosing a Quest Professional Training Programme and starting to build upon the essential foundations for your future career is an exciting time. With London as a hub, famous for commercial activity, the employment opportunities available to Quest Professional graduates are vast. Similarly as vast, are the social opportunities. Living in London whilst completing a Quest Professional training programme enables students to fully submerge themselves in all that London has to offer. We have a range of accommodation options available to Quest Professional students, with prices starting at ÂŁ224.00 per week.

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Whatever direction your career and life take you, chances are there will be fellow Quest graduates who can help along the way or welcome you when you arrive.

Quest Professional Alumni

NETWORK

The Quest Alumni Network is here to help you stay connected to each other, expand your professional network and to offer you continued support along your career journey, whatever the time of day!

Analysis

Training

Network

Graduation

Career

Success

It is also an important component of the success of current Quest students too!

By volunteering, whether mentoring current students, acting as a guest speaker, recruiting from us or referring new students to Quest, you are helping Quest towards a sustainable future and adding to your own personal CV at the same time!

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If you like the sound of what we offer and are interested in beginning your career with us, then we would love to meet you!

Please give the team a call on 020 7233 5957 and we will arrange for you to come in, have a look around and chat with us further.

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*All brochure content correct at time of printing.

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The Professional Diploma Programme

5 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0BD www.questprofessional.co.uk info@questprofessional.co.uk T 020 7233 5957