Nicola Davies completed the Digital Skills for Business micro-credential through Aspire 2Be.
Nicola first heard about the Digital Skills micro-credentials course through her line manager. Already planning to focus on improving her digital skills as part of her Continuing Professional Development (CPD), she was keen to take advantage of the opportunity and immediately saw the value it could bring to her role.
As her position had evolved from a classroom-based teaching role into a more computer-focused trainer coach role, Nicola was eager to enhance her digital skills. Wanting to stay up to date and confident in this increasingly digital environment, she saw the course as the perfect way to build on her existing knowledge while gaining new, practical skills she could apply straight away.
Throughout the programme, Nicola found every aspect of the course beneficial. Even areas she had some prior experience in, such as Excel and collaboration tools, helped to reinforce her understanding and build her confidence. At the same time, she was introduced to new techniques, including more effective email management and the use of formulas within spreadsheets, which have already begun to make a difference in how she works.
As she progressed, Nicola became more confident using advanced features, particularly within Excel. Being able to track learner progress and report on performance through spreadsheets has had a direct impact on her role as a trainer coach. She also explored newer tools, including AI and add-ons such as Copilot, further expanding her digital skillset and awareness of emerging technologies.
Reflecting on the experience, Nicola highlights the difference it has made to her day-to-day responsibilities. Where she had previously relied on school-specific systems, she now feels confident using Excel independently to manage and analyse data, improving overall efficiency. Alongside this, her improved understanding of collaborative tools has strengthened her ability to work effectively with both colleagues and learners.
The course content proved not only relevant to her current role but also widely transferable across various sectors. From email management and document creation to delivering more impactful presentations, the skills Nicola developed throughout this qualification greatly support her work in delivering training.
Nicola has already begun recommending the course to others, sharing her experience with colleagues and learners alike. Having seen the benefits first-hand, she views it as an excellent introduction to Level 2 digital skills and is now considering progressing further onto fully accredited Level 2 and Level 3 courses.
For Nicola, completing the course in person was a particularly valuable aspect of the experience. As a kinaesthetic and visual learner, she found the face-to-face delivery far more effective than online learning. The opportunity to work in a small group with tutor support allowed her to ask questions, explore additional skills, and collaborate with colleagues, making the learning both practical and immediately relevant to her role.
