Has anyone used CAPABLE to get a degree based on work experience?

Forums › Off topic › Has anyone used CAPABLE to get a degree based on work experience?

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#269951 17-Apr-2020 00:02

There is no education forum so I just put it in here hoping people who have used it see it.

https://capable.nz/

The idea being your work experience = course credits.

Ive done 25 years of IT from software support to internetworking live analysis and reporting, with most of my time spent in Project Management or Business Analysis (end to end technical).

I did small business course at auckland polytech around 1990 then did some papers at auckland uni before getting a job in insurance. So I dont know what papers I have but I have contacted both institutes. I have numerous certifications. And like I said 25 years from the bottom to the top and everywhere in between.

What is the likelyhood any of the above will count for anything given this capable system is focussed on getting people with work experience degrees based around that work exerience?

Jase2985

13735 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6216

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2463835 17-Apr-2020 07:38

the question is does anything you have done in your career somewhat match up to any of the qualifications they offer?

we use it at work, and a couple of guys i know have completed their Bachelors of applied management.

frankv

5705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3666

Lifetime subscriber

#2463837 17-Apr-2020 07:41

I'm not sure why you would want to do this. Recent and long IT experience is more valuable than a degree. I expect that some kind of industry qualification (e.g. AWS or Microsoft) would be cheaper, quicker, and more saleable.

FWIW, most all? tertiary education providers allow RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning), which can also cover relevant work experience. However, work experience tends to do be patchy; if your patches cover 70% of a module, you would probably have to do the entire module.

quickymart

14941 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13956

ID Verified

#2463842 17-Apr-2020 07:54

Are you looking to learn a new craft to move into another industry, or is this training just a nice-to-have?

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2499873 6-Jun-2020 21:28

Its both a nice to have as my tertiary is in commerce (and totally irrelevant these days) and I had 5 years out of a 20 year IT career (Telco to SDLC and everything in between) to look after my mum who recently passed away, she got 4 more years than expected.

They dont run on RPL, supposedly RPL can only give out up to 120 credits.

This is 240 credits, with the remainder able to be completed within 6-10 months.

It also matches up closer with what I was doing most recently IT Systems PM and Management. It is less IT tech skill focused which was cool in my 20s and 30s but am no longer interested in just the tech but more so the strategies behind applying tech that helps people and organisations (kind of fits in my UX design focus).

Sorry for the late reply.

BlinkyBill

1443 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1100
Inactive user

#2499958 7-Jun-2020 06:23

In my opinion, 20 years of experience carries substantially more weight than a degree qualification, and when I interview at more senior positions I focus on that experience. A degree is indicative of the ability to learn and find things out by way of self-directed research, and not a skill I specifically use in my degree. When hiring graduates I almost don’t care what the degree is in - I probably hire more maths and science graduates than ICT graduates; I focus on grade quality, not subject quality.

At more senior levels I barely look at the degree qualification. I would expect someone with 20 years to fill a role effectively from day 1 and start delivering immediately. So my focus is what they know by way of concept and process, attitude and teamwork, leadership skills, and written and oral communications.

It is just one persons opinion, but for me someone with 20 years experience and an existing tertiary qualification doesn’t need a further general qualification. A post-grad diploma in something specific might be more useful, if in something you are interested in learning about.

boosacnoodle

1280 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 862

#2499985 7-Jun-2020 10:37

Seems to be a lot of negativity in this thread towards tertiary qualifications. Unfortunately the reality is that even today many workplaces require them for advancement or to hit a specific pay scale. I would say if you work if covering the cost go for it.

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2500045 7-Jun-2020 14:05

Thanks Bill and Boos.

When I did commerce it wasnt at BCOM level, I left way early as I got offered good money to work in Telco work.

This degree outline seems to fit the more managerial decision making around systems and strategies that I was last doing (when what why, how much, vs etc). Possibly leading me into a more executive role.

I do agree my experience held weight, Ive worked mostly for 2 big Telcos and 2 big energy companies (few smaller Telcos and one international energy company as well). I was getting every interview I went for in those 20 years, I do have a knack of knowing what somebody really wants to know even if they word it poorly.

But Im worried that experience means not much after so long off, Tech moves so fast yearly, then again I always found it easy to learn any Tech on the job or via self study. Besides my roles didn't need to know how to code the latest language I just needed to know what technologies go well together and why and what is the best fit for the money available given the time frames etc.

But its coming up to 6 YEARS unemployed (I was considering early semi retirement when mum first got sick), Ive also spent 1 year in Europe all up (4x3month stints) in that time along with working in my partners field of Science part time and voluntary (she has a PHD and oooodles of other training, Im a bit jealous as she is smarter than me but she also has the paper work to go with the real world smarts).

So after 6 years I just thought knock this out of the way, while I get fit and healthy again (stacked on weight making my borderline thyroid redline just getting out of bed, although Im sure Im grieving some how as well). Then start February with a completed degree in a related field in my skinny hand, my confidence back and whatever is going on after the last few years stress being processed as well, back down to 190lb 10% body fat looking the business in a new suit ready to hit these managers with courage and the energy I had prior.

quickymart

14941 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13956

ID Verified

#2500056 7-Jun-2020 14:28

190lb? You mean 88kgs? I don't know anyone who measures weight like that anymore.

Seriously though, it's a crap time to be looking for a new job at the moment. I'm fulltime employed myself and there's not a lot going, and (especially in the wake of the coronavirus fallout) there's a lot of people looking as well as you and me - and they're both qualified and unqualified. The next few months - maybe even until the end of the year - are going to be quite tough in the job market.

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2500106 7-Jun-2020 15:48

quickymart:

190lb? You mean 88kgs? I don't know anyone who measures weight like that anymore.

Its my age basically

I dont know what they taught in schools after me but we had to learn both, flappn US. I think I use pounds for body weight not only because all my old dumb bells were in lbs, but found a lot of the US lifters were weighing using imperial (not just US mind). I was a big fan of Dorian Yates (still am) in the 90s. Plus it keeps me on my toes converting weights or measurements even gallons to litres or KJ to calories etc ;-p, my most fun is on the dive boat converting Knots to MPH (not hard) back to KPH, but dont mention KPH to those whom only sail, non nautical sacrilege :-)

Cheers quicky re job market, yes the Mrs even though her management role is secured (sadly, a redundancy would work nicely) the top deck manager has let it be known jobs to fall. She has about 8 high job paying roles both in non computer based science and in IT she can fall back on. Its me that needs to get back ASAP. I just dont feel ready or confident given some weight issues, grief and time out of work.

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#2519461 8-Jul-2020 18:17

I have decided to swap from Applied Management Information Systems to a straight Bachelor Of Information Technology, not sure what major yet.

I feel an IT degree is more readily understood and a degree is a must have to work in Deutschland which I will have to for about 5 years, then I hope to gain a work visa for the US as Ive always dreamed of working in California. Possibly living up near my NFL team, San Francisco. I know its not cheap there, but just a dream at this stage.

I sound bouyant as I think this is a better move than Applied Management in Software.