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After trying an introductory HR course, Rebecca Knox decided to take the leap and enrol on a CIPD course to advance her understanding of HR functions within her current role as Corporate Services Assistant.
Hi! I’m Rebecca and I’m currently studying CIPD Level 3 Foundation in People Practice.
I left school in 2024 and started a graduate apprenticeship in September that year. Alongside my apprenticeship, I work as a Corporate Services Assistant at the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) and study part time towards an Honours degree in Business Management.
My role at the SLCC gives me the opportunity to experience a range of different areas within the Corporate Services Department, including HR, Finance and IT.
While it’s been great to gain insight into all of these functions, from the very beginning of my apprenticeship the HR side of things has always interested me the most. In November 2024 I completed an introductory HR course, and that really sparked my interest in developing my knowledge further.
In 2025 I decided to take the next step and enrol on the CIPD Level 3 course through DPG, which felt like a natural progression.
Although the CIPD course is a big step up from the introductory course I previously completed, I’ve found it incredibly rewarding.
What’s been particularly helpful is how well the content connects with other areas of my learning and work. I can often link topics from the CIPD course to the HR modules I study at university, and I also see how they apply in the workplace when supporting HR-related tasks in the office. It’s been really interesting to see how everything fits together in practice.
Studying with DPG has also worked really well for me. I’ve contacted my tutor whenever I’ve had questions or needed a bit of guidance, and she has always responded quickly with really helpful advice.
Having a tutor available makes the whole experience feel much more personal and supportive, rather than feeling like you’re navigating everything completely on your own.
Another thing I’ve really appreciated about studying with DPG is the flexibility of the course. Not having strict deadlines has been incredibly helpful while juggling studying, working and completing a business degree at the same time.
It can definitely be a challenge at times and keeps me on my toes, but being able to work through the course at my own pace makes it much more manageable and less stressful.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned while studying this course is to trust in the knowledge and experience I already have. Starting a new course with lots of new information can feel a bit daunting at first, and it’s easy to think you’re starting completely from scratch.
In reality, I’ve found that a lot of the content actually builds on knowledge and skills you already have, especially if you’re working or studying in a related area.
Looking ahead, I hope the knowledge and understanding I gain from this course will help equip me with the skills and confidence needed to move into a full-time HR role in the future.
My main piece of advice for anyone thinking about starting a course with DPG would simply be to go for it. You really have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The flexibility allows you to study in a way that works for you, and having a tutor there for support means help is always available if you need it.
It’s been a really positive experience for me so far, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking to develop their knowledge and progress in their career.
Learn more about our CIPD courses!
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