Is MCIPD equivalent to Level 5 or 7 CIPD qualification?

Hi Steph

First and foremost, very sorry to hear that news about your job.

Is it going to be absolutely necessary that you move to a new employer or might it be worth exploring with existing employer all possibilities for remaining attached in some way to them? This has probably already been considered I know but hypothetically saving 25% of the costs of employing you isn’t going to affect them all that much in the big financial scheme of things and indeed the change may well cost them a lot more in buying in services or recruitment and training or even lack of sufficient hr input.

Like you, I’m from an earlier era and my detailed national qualifications knowledge stops largely with the old NVQ system but it’s I’m very sure nonetheless very clear that your MCIPD is the equivalent of a Level 7 qualification and I don’t think you need to worry too much if at all about that aspect. NVQs were supposed to be accrediting proper workplace competence and all the ‘underpinning knowledge’ of the current Level 7 etc courses isn’t of any real value to employers unless and until it can be competently put into real and actual workplace practice. Realise I’m being a bit simplistic/stating the obvious here, but do feel it has to be emphasised.

Thinking a bit wider, some prospective new employers might consider that you’ve been so long with your present employers that you might not be able readily to adapt to a new employer and working environment. That’s probably not applicable in your case but in my experience it can and does happen and impressions are all and very fleeting too, so it may pay you to work on all possible countermeasures to that particular aspect.

Anyhow, whatever may happen do hope it goes as well as it possibly can - and you never know, all this might turn into a productive career change for you!

Hi David.
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful reply. I feel a bit happier about my lack of a formal Level 5 / 7 qualification (even with Robey's comment below) as at least I feel my MCIPD should hopefully be of equivalent value at least.

You are right that the Company would have to buy in HR and finance support if I left (it's a stand-alone combined role) but I guess they hope I'll just accept the cut and carry on working less hours. The trouble with trying to unilaterally change the terms of your only HR Manager's contract, is that you haven't got an HR Manager to ask for advice on how to do it and what the implications might be! I'm not ruling out being able to work something out that is mutually acceptable but I'm looking for alternatives as well.

I am a little concerned about the length of time I've been with the same employer and how that looks externally, so I appreciate your comment there and I'll try to see how I can show my adaptability etc.

Hi David.
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful reply. I feel a bit happier about my lack of a formal Level 5 / 7 qualification (even with Robey's comment below) as at least I feel my MCIPD should hopefully be of equivalent value at least.

You are right that the Company would have to buy in HR and finance support if I left (it's a stand-alone combined role) but I guess they hope I'll just accept the cut and carry on working less hours. The trouble with trying to unilaterally change the terms of your only HR Manager's contract, is that you haven't got an HR Manager to ask for advice on how to do it and what the implications might be! I'm not ruling out being able to work something out that is mutually acceptable but I'm looking for alternatives as well.

I am a little concerned about the length of time I've been with the same employer and how that looks externally, so I appreciate your comment there and I'll try to see how I can show my adaptability etc.