Professional Diploma PLUS
2
Programme
year programme for GCSE 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 PLUS 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 PLUS Programme
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Content of the Professional Diploma PLUS Programme
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The Future Career of Quest Professional Graduates
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Social Life at Quest Professional
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Quest Professional Alumni Network
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Come and Visit Us
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“Make the most of the Quest experience; it is an enjoyable time that is gone before you know it. Make the most of the trainers, they really do know what they are talking about and love helping. Finally, don’t be nervous; Quest are a great support, even once you are long gone.”
Daniel, graduated July 2012
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| The Professional PLUS 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.
Welcome
to Quest Professional, where our supportive efforts are centralized upon both the skill development and the personal development of students, maturing them into confident young professionals ready to proactively embrace imminent career opportunities. We encourage an inclusive environment and provide students with the guidance and tools that they need to pursue a healthy career based on their individual capabilities and strengths. Success at Quest Professional is not measured by academic results, but by the pursuit and achievement of personal goals. Based on the success of our training programmes and our involvement with today’s recruiters and employers, we have recently introduced our 2-year, Professional Diploma PLUS Programme, a comprehensive alternative to A Levels, aimed at those leaving school post GCSE. Through a thorough and varied full-time training schedule, our trainers and mentors aim to make the world of business, careers and career progression accessible to those looking to join it from an earlier stage. We hope that you enjoy browsing this brochure, and we hopefully look forward to meeting with you soon.
- 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.... QuestProfessional | The Professional PLUS Diploma Programme |
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Q.
A.
WHY TRAIN and BEGIN your CAREER with us? We offer comprehensive and supportive business training programmes, whereby 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 with 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 A Levels and a great stepping stone between school and that first career.
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| The Professional PLUS Diploma Programme | QuestProfessional
Preparation Our scheduled career guidance and preparation programmes, combined with our in-house recruitment team and external client relationships, provides 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 in place to give students a thorough insight into the numerous career paths and opportunities available upon graduation from Quest Professional.
Confidence Confidence, attitude and team-work 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 a fun and varied events timetable for all students to dip in and out of as they wish! QuestProfessional | The Professional PLUS Diploma Programme |
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The Professional Diploma PLUS Programme
WHAT IS IT? Our Professional Diploma PLUS Programme is an exciting two-year programme aimed at GCSE leavers looking for A Level alternatives that will provide them with sound business skills and knowledge before looking to face employers at interview. The recent Raised Participation Age means that there is increasing demand for this type of training programme, especially from students looking to adopt a more practical approach to learning and who are eager to get into the business world. It is a holistic programme whereby both a student’s professional and personal development are built upon and developed. Confidence, team-work and attitude are constantly focused upon throughout year one and two, as well as key life skills. It is this personal development that really makes Quest Professional candidates stand out at interview especially when entering an already established organisation of experienced professionals from a young age.
Business skills and commercial understanding are focused on from day one of the two year programme, and are continuously developed throughout the entire Professional Diploma PLUS Programme. Students are engaged in a variety of practical projects and workshops simulating real-life working environments, in order to maximise their skills base and understanding. Training is varied, taking place both inside and outside the classroom and led by both guest speakers and the Quest Professional training team.
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Students undertake a thorough careers programme which starts from the beginning of year two, preparing students for the challenges presented by the world of recruitment and work. Students are exposed to different industry sectors, job specs, roles and salaries, shown how to adapt CVs to each role, write covering letters and answer competency based questions at interview. There are also plenty of networking opportunities available to students and access to Quest Professional’s in-house recruitment team.
The entire programme takes place in a supportive training environment, where every student is allocated a personal mentor with whom they work with to reach achievable goals.
It really has been designed with the individual in mind and aims to maximise every student’s potential and open up exciting career opportunities, which students should feel equipped and confident enough to step into, showing a prospective employer that they have what it takes to face today’s workplace challenges. QuestProfessional | The Professional PLUS Diploma Programme |
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The Professional Diploma PLUS Programme
TRAINING PROGRAMME Content:
Personal Development Programme Developing yourself and others – identifying learning and working styles Understanding team profiles Introduction to Transactional Analysis – enhancing your communication skills Delivering professional presentations Personal presentation - the use of voice, image, style in business MBTI One-to-one mentoring Constructive thinking Personal effectiveness Driving theory and road safety
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Creative Business Components and Young Enterprise Web Design and SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Art/Design Video/Film Music/Audio Business Start-Ups
Business Studies Politics Current Affairs Business Law Business Finance Problem Solving Skills Events Management Media Law Project Management Human Resources IT - MS Office and Apple MS Word (including mail merge and advanced functions) MS PowerPoint (and business presentations) MS Outlook (and diary management) MS Access (database management) MS Excel (and business finance) Apple IT ( intro to Mac OS) Cloud Computing / Platform as a Service Apps QuestProfessional | The Professional PLUS Diploma Programme |
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The Professional Diploma PLUS Programme Marketing Marketing a real life event Introducing the 7 P’s and the marketing mix Marketing for Managers - ILM Level 3 Programme Creating a marketing pitch for a new product launch Understanding the role and function of marketing in business Using marketing theory to explore a variety of marketing campaigns
Cultural Studies Intercultural Communication Social Issues Leisure Food and Drink Culture and Media Guided Walks of London – History/Geography Debating
Practical Advertising and PR Creating and delivering an advertising pitch Identifying current PR techniques and campaign successes Storyboards and exploring advertising standards Writing a press release
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CV
TRAINING PROGRAMME Content: Business Communications PR Social/Digital Media Creative Writing Business Correspondence Practical Advertising Journalism Media Competition
General Office Skills and Practical Business Workshops Diary Management Minutes and Meetings Shorthand Travel and Itineraries Text Processing Telephone Skills Touch Typing and Audio Typing Prioritising Tasks and Meeting Deadlines Work Placements/Volunteering
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The Professional Diploma PLUS Programme Career Development Programme Exploring your strengths and weaknesses Matching your skills to possible job roles Understanding job adverts Analysing industries and companies Producing targeted CVs Covering letter and application formats Personalised career action plan Contracts, salaries, tax and employment law Introduction to selected recruitment agencies Interview preparation and competency-based interview techniques
Looking After Yourself and Others Health & Safety at Work First Aid Nutrition and Fitness
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TRAINING PROGRAMME Content:
Sales Customer Service Negotiations
Commercial Experience Opportunity to gain practical office experience Volunteering
“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 –
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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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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.
Year
2
of the Professional Diploma PLUS Programme
contains a very thorough careers programme whereby students are given a great insight into the different industry sectors, types of jobs and salary expectations that they could pursue. Within the training schedule, time is dedicated to creating targeted CVs and covering letters, rehearsing competency based interview questions and undertaking mock interviews.
A thorough careers programme, networking opportunities, careers fairs and employer relationships conceived 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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ENTERING THE WORKPLACE 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 testimonials from some of our recent students who have gone into the workplace:
Quest allowed me to develop the key skills and abilities needed to become an effective and respected attribute within a professional environment. My time at Quest Professional left me feeling prepared and confident to begin work.
– Aimi –
I am now in the best job role I could imagine, being a team PA at head office. There is no chance I would have been placed in this role without the help of Quest to secure it, as well as the course itself, which lots of companies know about and take on board.
– Jane –
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“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 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 –
“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 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 –
“I love Quest, love the people and the trainers. I look forward to coming in every day.”
– Current Student – QuestProfessional | The Professional PLUS Diploma Programme | 17
SOCIAL LIFE at Quest Professional
There is no better place to socialise and make friends than in the heart of London. Everything from theatres, restaurants and live music to museums and tourist attractions are on the doorstep and easily accessible.
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At Quest we appreciate that your social life is important to you and the concept of a work/life balance is something that we are strongly in favour of!
Example of a week of activities at Quest Professional
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Dinner with Sarah
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Theatre Chilled evening at home My Old Dutch Pancake House Borough Market
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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, in the form of mentoring current students, acting as a guest speaker, recruiting from us and 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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The Professional Diploma PLUS Programme
5 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0BD www.questprofessional.co.uk info@questprofessional.co.uk T 020 7233 5957