Our advisers are very special individuals with an abundance of industry experience and a genuine interest in the development of others. Each one of them works hard to support their CIPD candidates and apprentices throughout every step of their qualification and the feedback we receive on Coursecheck is testament to the superb advice they provide. Our advisers really do ensure our business retains that personal touch, something we know candidates greatly value. This regular feature publicly recognises their contribution to your CIPD success!
We asked Lucy Ducoin, our Regional Consultant based in Cornwall, for her advice on achieving that all important CIPD qualification along with what she loves most about her job.
Lucy’s top tips for CIPD success
Ensure you choose the right level of CIPD qualification that suits your operational needs and your ambition and drive going forward. We often want to undertake a higher level as this feels more of an achievement when a Foundation Level 3 might provide the grounding you need to develop.
Make sure you discuss with your adviser, your family and friends the commitment you are about to undertake and that you have the time and energy to do it because. Studying for a CIPD qualification is amazing but it will also eat up your time in ways you can’t imagine.
Don’t negate the value of sharing your ideas as you go and applying what you learn at work because that will be fundamental to the development of your understanding. We don’t know what we don’t know, so approaching your learning with a huge dose of humility and an open mind is really valuable.
About Lucy
Our Regional Consultant in Cornwall, Lucy Ducoin draws on a wealth of delivery, coaching and consultancy experience to share with her candidates. Her varied career began after she studied Management at the University of Brighton and went on to be an Operations Manager for a hospitality and leisure company. With an estate of 28 pubs, clubs and restaurants to look after, there was never a dull moment and the role increased Lucy’s operational experience and knowledge of the sector.
Her career took an unexpected turn after a period of travel during which she moved to the island of Corsica and managed a small beach bar. New opportunities came her way and Lucy managed hotel resorts in Corsica and the French Alps before becoming HR and Training Manager for Intercontinental Hotels.
Lucy later returned to Cornwall and studied for a teaching qualification before becoming a CIPD Programme Manager for a large Further Education College in the South West, specialising in Leadership & Management as well as Employee Experience and Engagement.
A CIPD assessor, internal verifier and end point assessor, Lucy’s expertise is putting theory into practice and it’s no surprise to learn that seeing her candidates apply their learning to the workplace is what she loves most about her job.
Lucy’s approach to teaching is firmly placed in facilitating an environment where each candidate can thrive, individual needs are met and everyone is supported to be independently capable to reach their own unique goals. Her belief that learning and self-development is a life-long journey underpins her delivery style and as an adviser at Reed Learning, she hopes you will not only develop your people professional skills, knowledge and behaviours but experience the positive benefits of a little self-discovery too.
Based in a small fishing village not far from Penzance, Lucy is fortunate to live just five minutes from the Cornish coastal path and when she’s not working, she enjoys walks with her dog, lots of yoga and reading.
