Qualification Guide

These are extremely useful, as most companies want to see evidence of high level IT skills in prospective employees. As a service industry focusing on supplying the tools of businesses, you will need skills that can be transferred into any working environment involving computers.

Several of the software and hardware suppliers have their own qualifications that are well regarded in the industry and can be studied directly or through registered training organisations.

Examples include the Microsoft’s MCSE and Cisco’s CCNA.

Links

The following links will give you an insight into IT and how to take your studies further.

British Computer Society - One of the leading professional bodies for those working in IT. It has more than 50,000 members in more than 100 countries.

Cisco Career Certifications - Respected Cisco Career Certifications bring valuable, measurable rewards to network professionals, their managers, and the organizations that employ them.

IT Week - A multimedia publication that provides indispensable information for IT leaders.

The Institute of IT Training - The professional body for IT training professionals.

The role requires you to be able to utilise a wide understanding of the interaction between organisations and its employees, knowing how to ensure issues such as hiring, training and the working environment are best for both parties. You will need the expertise and analytical ability to convert these demands into HR policies and practices. While there are no set entry requirements for HR roles, to gain the necessary skills you may want to take one of the numerous further studies courses available.

Generally, applicants to a personnel and development-based course will need a good undergraduate degree, or overseas equivalent, in any subject. It is often desirable to have some work experience, but that is not essential, as the course should provide you with the knowledge you need to be successful in the workplace. However, it is always beneficial to gain experience during the course if you have not before.

The majority of the personnel and development courses are approved by The Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) which is the professional body for those involved in the management and development of people. The CIPD Professional Development Scheme (PDS) is the national formally recognised education and qualification programme for Personnel and Human Resources Professionals.

The CIPD also offers short training courses on everything from personnel management and psychology at work to reward management and coaching. They are generally one or two-day courses, but they are ideal for topping up your existing skills or learning a few new ones.

Let's face it - how a company positions itself is what makes shoppers, clients, patients or customers buy what a business has to offer. A career in marketing can take you in several different directions. Marketing is comprised of many facets and activities. You will find that there are many opportunities in marketing, but the common denominator of those opportunities is the sense of ownership over the product and/or service and the necessity to understand the customers needs and desires and then be able to translate those needs in the communication of your marketing strategy. That marketing communication can be done in several ways that is why a career in marketing opens several doors as a profession

CIM
As the world’s largest organisation for professional marketers they play a key role in training, developing and representing the profession. They offer industry-proven and internationally recognised qualifications that can help marketeers get ahead throughout your marketing career. From introductory courses for those new to the profession to strategic-level qualifications for senior managers, all their qualifications are based on detailed research and feedback from employers.

Qualifications Acredited courses

• Introductory Certificate in Marketing
• Professional Certificate in Marketing
• Professional Diploma in Marketing
• Chartered Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing
• Diploma in Digital Marketing
• Diploma in Managing Digital Media 
• CAM Diploma in Marketing Communications 
• Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Marketing
• Certificate in Professional Sales Practice
• Advanced Certificate in Professional Sales Management Practice
• Intensive Diploma in Strategic Sales Practice

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment is the largest and most widely respected professional body for those who work in the securities and investment industry in the UK and in a growing number of major financial centres round the world.

Evolved from the London Stock Exchange, they now have more than 40,000 members in 89 countries. 

Qualification as a Jersey advocate or solicitor is regulated by the Advocates and Solicitors (Jersey) Law 1997, as amended, and the Advocates and Solicitors (Qualifying Examination) (Jersey) Rules 1997, as amended.

DEFINITIONS

 

A person has a general qualification if he has a degree other than a law degree.

A person has a law degree if he has a law degree of a British University or of such other university or institution as the Board of Examiners approve which must include the following subjects:

• the law of contract;
• the law of tort;
• criminal law;
• equity and the law of trusts;
• constitutional and administrative law;
• the law of the European Union.

In the event that the subjects included in the degree do not wholly correspond with the above subjects, the Board of Examiners may approve the degree as satisfying the above requirements if it requires a course of legal study of a sufficiently comprehensive nature.

A person has a legal qualification if he has:

• a law degree;
• passed the Common Professional Examination;
• passed the English solicitors’ examinations; or
• passed the English Bar examinations.

A person is a qualifying citizen if he is a Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the European Union and a qualifying national if he is a national of an EFTA State which is a party to the European Economic Area Agreement.

The preliminary examination consists of six papers on the following subjects:

• the English law of contract;
• the law of tort;
• principles of English criminal law and the law of evidence;
• principles of English constitutional and administrative law;
• principles of English equity and the law of trusts; and
• the law of the European Union.

For a person who has a legal qualification, the qualifying examination may be taken by any person who has attained the age of twenty-one years and is a qualifying citizen or a qualifying national and consists of five papers on the following subjects:

• the Jersey legal system, constitutional and administrative law;
• the law of contract and the law relating to security on movable property and bankruptcy;
• testate and intestate succession;
• the law of immovable property and conveyancing; and
• civil procedure and criminal procedure; 

and one paper from the following optional subjects:

• private international law and company law;
• trust law (and fidécommis) and tax law;
• family law.

For a person who does not have a legal qualification but has a general qualification, the qualifying examination consists of the preliminary examination and the qualifying examination (immediately above) that must be taken by persons who have a legal qualification.

A relevant office is an advocate’s or solicitor’s office in Jersey, the Law Officers’ Department or the Judicial Greffe.

QUALIFYING AS A JERSEY SOLICITOR

A person is entitled to be admitted as a Jersey solicitor if he is a qualifying citizen or a qualifying national and either he has:

1. A law degree or passed the Common Professional Examination, passed the qualifying examination and been employed in a relevant office for three years immediately preceding the application for admission; or
2. Passed the qualifying examination and been employed in a relevant office for a total of five years of which two years is immediately preceding the application for admission.

QUALIFYING AS A JERSEY ADVOCATE

A person is entitled to be admitted as a Jersey advocate if he is a qualifying citizen or a qualifying national and either he has:

1. Passed either the English solicitors’ examinations or the English Bar examinations and the qualifying examination and has been employed in a relevant office for two years immediately preceding the application for admission; or
2. Been admitted as a Jersey solicitor and either, when so admitted, had passed the English solicitors’ examinations or the English Bar examinations or he has practised as a Jersey solicitor for a period of three years.

SUMMARY

If you have qualified as an English solicitor or barrister, you only need to pass the qualifying examination and be employed in a relevant office for two years if you wish to be a Jersey advocate or for three years if you wish to be a Jersey solicitor.

If you have a legal degree or have passed the Common Professional Examination, you need to pass the qualifying examination and be employed in a relevant office for three years in order to be a Jersey solicitor. You may then qualify as a Jersey advocate after practising as a Jersey solicitor for a further three years.

If you do not have a legal degree and you have not passed the Common Professional Examination, you would have to pass the preliminary examination and the qualifying examination and be employed in a relevant office for five years in order to be a Jersey solicitor. You may then qualify as a Jersey advocate after practising as a Jersey solicitor for a further three years.

What is a Chartered Secretary?

Chartered Secretaries are high ranking professionals with a broad base of skills unique among the professions. Trained in corporate law, finance, governance, company secretaryship and management, Chartered Secretaries are the focal point for independent advice about the conduct of business, governance and compliance. Highly valued by employers, they are key players with the skills, vision and values to take their organisations forward.

Qualifying as a Chartered Secretary opens up a wealth of career opportunities – across sectors, internationally, within organisations and in practice.

Chartered Secretaries work in a number of different careers and across a variety of sectors including corporate, not-for-profit and charity.  Some work as company secretaries for FTSE100 companies earning an average base salary of over £190,000*. Others have roles such as chief executive, chairman, director of legal services or in-house counsel or they work in practice offering business and legal services to a range of clients.  
With the opportunity to work overseas using an internationally recognised qualification, becoming a Chartered Secretary is a passport to a challenging, versatile and well rewarded career.

What are the advantages of being a Chartered Secretary?

• The qualification is internationally recognised and enables you to work in the private, public or not-for-profit sectors or set up your own business offering company secretarial services
• It is a broad-based qualification providing you with the skills you need for a variety of top-level careers working in many different fields
• It can be well paid. A top company secretarial job in a FTSE 100 company comes with an average salary of over £190,000 plus a bonus of over of £75,000* 
• Obtaining the qualification is a fast-track way of reaching the boardroom and becoming part of the senior management team

(*Source: Chambers and Partners Salary Survey 2008-2009)

How do I become a Chartered Secretary?

The first stage to becoming a Chartered Secretary is to study the qualifying scheme and pass the relevant exams. Once you have successfully completed the exams and paid your graduate fee you will be given the grade Graduate and designated the title GradICSA which you can use after your name.

To become a full Member of ICSA and a Chartered Secretary you also need to demonstrate a certain level of professional experience. Many students study while they work and are able to gain their professional experience at the same time as studying.

Other ICSA Qualifications

ICSA offer a range of Certificate and Diploma level qualifications, some run and examined by ICSA, others run in conjunction with external educational providers.

• COFA/DOFA (Certificate & Diploma in Offshore Finance & Administration)
• Certificate in Employee Share Plans
• Certificate in Company Secretarial Practice & Share Registration Practice
• Postgraduate Certificate in Charity Management
• Certificate in Irish Company Secretarial Practice & Share Registration Practice
• ICSA Certificate in Further Education Governance

The Certificate and Diploma in Offshore Finance & Administration are popular qualifications for professionals working within the Fiduciary industry in the Channel Islands.

The ICSA Certificate and Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration attract candidates across many offshore centres, including Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Mauritius, Gibraltar and several Caribbean jurisdictions. These stand-alone qualifications have been created to provide a unique and highly relevant training opportunity specifically for those employed in the offshore finance sector. They are recognised within the different jurisdictions as appropriate qualifications for those working in the offshore sector. 

Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration

The certificate provides an introduction to the offshore finance sector.  It includes analysis of the general offshore environment and introductory modules on trusts and investment. There are no formal entry requirements, although you should be in a relevant occupation.

On successful completion, you are able to use the designatory letters Cert.ICSA (Offshore Finance and Administration) after your name. You can then continue to study for the Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration or Diploma in Business Practice, the second stage towards full membership of ICSA.

There are four modules for the Certificate:

• Offshore Business Environment
• Accounting Fundamentals
• Trust and Company Principles
• Investment

For more details, including full syllabus information, please download the programme handbook.

Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration

The diploma builds upon the under-pinning principles of the ICSA Certificate.  It is aimed at those with experience of the offshore industry, for example administrators in junior supervisory roles, who wish to develop their knowledge further.

It is open to those who have successfully completed the ICSA Certificate in Offshore Finance and Administration or have gained an appropriate exemption.  On successful completion, you are able to use the designatory letters Dip.ICSA (Offshore Finance and Administration) after your name. You can then continue your studies on the ICSA qualifying scheme and pursue full status of Chartered Secretary.

The four modules for the diploma are:

• Offshore Trust and Companies Administration
• Business Management in Practice
• Governance and Reporting
• Portfolio Management

It is a unique professional body providing members with a local, national and international learning and business network focusing on the responsible stewardship of assets today and across the generations.

STEP provides education, training, representation and networking for its members. Members advise clients on the broad business of the management of personal finance.

Full members of STEP are the most experienced and senior practitioners in the field of trusts and estates.

 

What Does STEP Do

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is the leading worldwide professional body for practitioners in the fields of trusts, estates and related issues. STEP members help families plan their long term financial future, facilitating good stewardship and financial planning across future generations. STEP members also help families comply with the often complex tax rules surrounding trusts, estates and inheritance. 

If you wish to follow a career in law and you have a degree in a different subject, then the main way of entering the profession is by undertaking either the Common Professional Examination (CPE) or the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). These are two variants of the law conversion course and the only difference between them is where they are studied. Law colleges award CPEs and universities award GDLs. These are intensive courses that aim to bring students up to the level of a law graduate in a third of the time.

To be eligible for a law conversion course you must have a degree awarded by a UK university in any subject. Visit the Law Society for more information about what you need to apply for these courses and a comprehensive list of places that offer this qualification.

Becoming a Barrister

A barrister is a legal specialist trained in advocacy – the presentation and arguing of a client’s case in the high courts.

After a conversion course or a law degree, prospective barristers must join one of the four Inns of Court – Lincoln’s Inn, Gray’s Inn, Middle Temple or Inner Temple. After this, the next step is the Barristers Vocational Course (BVC) which is a year’s course of study and there are 8 BVC providers in England, and 1 in Wales. There is a high demand for these courses and there are around 2,500 applicants competing for the 1,500 places each year. All applications are made online at www.bvconline.co.uk

After you have passed your BVC the final stage of training before a barrister can be called to the Bar is a 12 month pupillage which is where the trainee gains practical experience under the supervision of a practicing barrister.

After completing this period of pupillage, a barrister is finally called to the Bar by his or her Inn of Court. But, in order to establish yourself, you then need to find a tenancy in chambers. However, these are fiercely sought after and only around 30% of those who pass the BVC will be successful in securing a tenancy.

As you can see, the cost and competition are high in this area but to help prospective BVC applicants decide whether this is the right career for them, many chambers offer mini-pupillages that last about two weeks.

Becoming a Solicitor

Solicitors are legal specialists who advise and help their clients on all matters of the law and the training for this begins with a two year Legal Practice Course (LPC) which can only be taken after completing a law degree or a law conversion course.

After the LPC, solicitors must undertake a two-year apprenticeship with a solicitor called the training contract which involves another course called the Professional Skills Course (PSC). This builds on previous training and finishes with an exam. After passing this, the trainee then becomes a qualified solicitor.

Funding

Funding is often a problem for prospective lawyers as it is a long and costly qualification. The law conversion course costs between £1,125 and £5,400 and the subsequent qualifications (Barrister Vocational Course or the solicitors Legal Practice Course) can cost up to £8,500.

However, things are becoming easier. The Law Society has decided that it should be easier to get a place on postgraduate legal training and they have instigated programmes to attract a more diverse ethnic and social mixture of trainees.

BPP Professional Education Hilary House
19 Hilary Street, St Helier, JERSEY, Channel Islands, JE2 4SX
01534 711800

Channel Island Executive Coaching
Mountbatten, 3 Wellington Road, St Saviour, JERSEY, Channel Islands, JE2 7TE
01534 629479

Onestudy Training Ltd
PO Box 826, JERSEY, Channel Islands, JE4 0UA
01534 729729

Jersey International Business School
12/13 Caledonia Place, St. Helier, Jersey JE2 3NG
01534 816333

Jersey Business School
PO Box 1000, Jersey, JE4 9QA
01534 754000