Return to Education Helps Clair Progress in her Profession

Having acted on a recommendation to upskill through South Eastern Regional College (SERC), mature student Clair Quigley found that the Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) courses could set her on the path to realising her ambitions. Initially enrolling on a Level 4 Certificate course, she progressed to a Level 5 Diploma and is now a fully-qualified accounting technician.  

Clair, who is 43 and from Bangor, explains, “I have a degree from Heriot Watt University and I currently work part-time in an accountancy practice. My colleagues understood that I was keen to progress and recommended the ATI Level 4 course because it is invaluable to my role. My boss encouraged me to enquire at SERC, and I was delighted to find that there was a course starting at the Bangor campus. 

“Before I applied for the course, I met the course co-ordinator, and we had a great chat, which was very reassuring. My main concern was that I felt as if I had been out of education for so long that I had left it too late to go back; however, this was not the case at all, and I found myself in a class with such a mix of people from different ages and walks of life. We have all gotten along so well, and my tutors have been great from the very start!” 

She adds, “Although the course itself is very intense, what I have loved is the small class sizes, meaning we can all help each other out, and everyone felt comfortable with speaking up and asking questions. No question is ever a stupid question – and my tutors were always very encouraging and helpful.” 

Clair successfully completed the Level 4 course and then progressed to the Level 5 course, now about to graduate with the full ATI qualification.  

She says, “I am very glad I committed to the full ATI qualification. The Level 5 course builds on the Level 4, but also introduces new topics which equip you to take on more responsibility at work.  Having gained the Level 5 Diploma for Accounting Technicians, I am now a qualified accounting technician, working in a more senior role with an increased salary. Looking back, it’s been very intense over the past two years, but it has been absolutely worth it. The tutors and ATI itself are there to support you through it all.  

“I would definitely recommend SERC to anyone interested in developing their professional skills. The college has great facilities, a fantastic support network, and there is always lots going on to get involved with at the college. If you’re thinking about doing a course but are not one hundred per cent sure about applying, my advice is to drop in to SERC for a chat and have a look around the campus to get a feel for it, you definitely won’t regret it!”