Professional qualifications: An alternative route
Published on: Monday, August 12, 2024
By: K Krishnan
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Professional qualifications are essential in various career fields to gain work opportunities, advance to senior positions, and receive salary increases and benefits.
There is so much publicity given for degrees that very few students know about professional qualifications. Are professional qualifications the same as academic qualifications?
Professional qualifications are essential in various career fields to gain work opportunities, advance to senior positions, and receive salary increases and benefits.
By understanding the time and effort necessary for obtaining a professional qualification and the job benefits it can bring, you can decide if getting that credential is likely to suit your long-term career plans.
A professional qualification means an advanced vocational credential that provides you with specialised training in a specific profession.
Since some types of professional qualifications require candidates to undergo extensive training and pass difficult examinations, many employers accept these credentials as equivalents of a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a doctorate. Some employers may additionally require you to have several years of relevant work experience.
Why do you need a professional qualification?
You might need a professional qualification for these reasons:
1. It is a legal requirement to work in medicine, management, engineering, law and other fields.
It can help you gain professional recognition in your field.
2. Professional qualifications can enable you to obtain memberships from professional bodies or organisations.
It can guide you to participate in continuing professional development and update your skills, abilities and knowledge.
3. A professional qualification may show employers that you have the specialist knowledge for a position, which can make more work opportunities available to you.
What are the benefits?
Some benefits of a professional qualification include:
Improved skills: By earning a professional qualification, you can improve your existing skills and gain new ones that are in demand in your field.
Better job opportunities: A professional qualification can help advance your career since it is an eligibility requirement for many senior roles and job positions that traditionally pay more money.
Competitive career advantage: Even if some jobs do not require a professional qualification, it may give you a competitive advantage as employers may find you better qualified for the position than other candidates.
Increased earning potential: The additional skills and training you get with a professional qualification can make you eligible for well-paying jobs that can enhance your earning potential.
More work satisfaction: With a professional qualification, more career opportunities may become available to you and you can choose fulfilling work that gives you a sense of accomplishment.
What are some examples of professional qualifications?
Some examples of professional qualifications include:
- The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
ACCA is the global professional accounting body offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification (ACCA) with HQ in the UK.
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
ICAEW is a professional membership organisation that promotes, develops and supports chartered accountants and students across the world.
- Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
CIMA in the UK is the world’s largest professional body of management accountants. They offer the most relevant financial qualification for business.
- CPA Australia
CPA Australia (“Certified Practising Accountant”) is one of the world’s largest professional accounting bodies. It provides members with internationally recognised qualifications as well as specialist training and continuing professional development (CPD).
- The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)
The MICPA is Malaysia’s only professional accounting body, and its professional examinations have been used to train professional accountants in the country. A collaborative effort between the MICPA and the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA) was launched in 2009 to provide candidates with mutual advanced entry into the professional examinations of both accounting bodies. Candidates who pass the exam will be eligible for two professional memberships.
- Malaysian Association of Company Secretaries (MACS)
MACS is an independent, self-regulating local professional body established and registered under the Societies Act 1966 on November 30, 1989 and has been an approved body under the Fourth Schedule of the Companies Act, 2016. Fellows and full-grade members of the association are qualified to practice as Certified Company Secretaries.
Career Tips
Not all professions have statutory professional qualifications that are recognised by employers. Some professions have associations, such as designers, photographers, chefs, writers, etc.
If you are looking for professional qualifications to pursue, find out what is offered, by whom, and for what recognition. Most university and college counsellors should be able to advise you.
Read about these professional qualifications on the internet. Do some research.
Talk to people who are in this profession. They will be able to tell you more about their professional qualifications.
Note: Not all courses have professional routes. Check it out before you enrol. If you have a question about careers, write to: [email protected].
