When’s the right time to UPSKILL?

I’m Lisa, Highview’s Practice Manager. Here’s my thoughts on this topic…

I’ve been with the Highview family for many many years. Ten years February just gone to be precise. You could say I am a part of the furniture…but I’d like to think I make more of a positive impact on the team than the furniture does! I began my role straight out of year twelve at the innocent age of 18. I was employed as a trainee which gave me the opportunity to complete a Certificate III in Business Administration. This course gave me the skills I required not only to complete my role as Highview’s “Manager of First Impressions” but to move into a more senior administration role.

As the years went past and I progressed to my current role as Highview’s Practice Manager. The idea of study popped up on many occasions (usually I’d shoo it away with a “I don’t have the time” attitude). I’ve always thought about further study, but had never really felt the time was right.

I guess I was at a point in my career that I believed acquiring some formal training in management would benefit not only me and my role, but Highview as a business. The idea of study made me feel fresh and enthusiastic – which was exciting – that’s how I knew the timing was right!

With the partners help and encouragement, at the beginning of this year I enrolled in a double diploma in Management and Business.

I am already in a Management role, so I was able to enrol in a fast track option which has given me the opportunity to complete a double diploma in under a year.

I’m not going to sugar coat the fact that having to complete assignments again wasn’t a shock to the system, but the benefit of the course has outweighed the hardship of “homework”. I’m learning things in my course, alongside other Senior Managers that could not be taught to a fresh out of high school uni student. The experience I have, coupled with the theory certainly makes the study a valuable and worthwhile effort for me, and for Highview.

The course has provided me not only with a qualification but the confidence and tools to refine my role and improve my skills and in turn make Highview a better and more productive environment. This also benefits our amazing clients.

So if you are looking to improve your skills or the skills of your employees I highly recommend you look into the many options and incentives that employers are eligible for. The hard work pays off.