Paula Short, IRRV DIP

I’ve been working in Local Government in a variety of roles since July 1996. I undertook the technician course in 2008/2009 as a distance learning student, which was very different to my experience this time around.  The availability of online information and support has been fantastic.

My main reason to study this time around was to improve my technical knowledge of council tax, further my learning and fill the gaps.

I live in a rural area which makes travelling difficult so distance learning works best for me.  When everything is online you can go at your own pace to fit in with other commitments and family.

I started in October 2019, and I took both the management and the management case studies exams in June 2020.  After the exams I felt that I’d given them my best shot.  On results day I was thrilled to learn that I had achieved a distinction in the management exam and a pass in the management case studies.

Next was Public Sector Finance, and I decided to undertake the Assignment at the same time.  I took the exam in December 2020. To my delight I achieved a pass in the Public Sector finance exam (only 5 marks off the distinction and a distinction in the assignment.

And finally, Council Tax Law and Practice.  All was going well until we got to March 2020 and the pandemic hit.  Everything went on hold. I increased my working hours to cope with the additional workload.  Then, in March 2021, my manager announced that there was no further funding for overtime.  Perfect timing for me because I was within the deadline for applying for the June 2021 exams.

The Council Tax exam was the one that I felt under the most pressure with.  The topic was something that I was involved with on an almost daily basis so to fail would be a disaster.  Undertaking the exam was a strange experience too because it was held in my workplace.

When the results were announced I was elated. All the hard work had paid off and I had achieved a distinction.  Just the thought of it still puts a smile on my face.

During the course of my studies I discovered mind maps.  These are a great way of remembering key information for the exam.  I would go through the past papers, select the topics and then, using the mind map, I would write all the pertinent information that I needed to remember to include in the answer using the marking schedules. 

The areas of the online resources that I found most useful were:

1. The webinars – with hints and tips of where to start, what to expect and how to make the most of the online resources
2. The live sessions – these were great to meet other students and to get advice from the tutor if there’s a particular area of study that you are struggling with. You don’t have to wait until the live sessions, but if you’re experiencing difficulties the chances are someone else is too.  It’s a great opportunity for discussion and sharing of knowledge and experience
3. The pre examination course is a must! This really brings everything together before the final exam.  There’s so much to learn but if you go through the marking schedules and attend the pre exam course you can get information about what the examiner is looking for and how the key points fit into each type of answer

I have experienced benefits as a result of studying and completing the IRRV diploma such as:

1. I’ve met some lovely people along the way;
2. I can make quick decisions and respond to customers, without having to ask the opinion of others;
3. I have been given opportunities that I wouldn’t have had before, such as writing this article, attending annual conference and the gala dinner;
4. It will help me to progress my career. Things are constantly changing within local government and I’m now better placed to move with them, should I need to look for alternative employment in future then I believe more doors will be open to me now.

I would recommend the IRRV course to other practitioners because you can never know everything – you will meet people who will give you support and share experiences, people that you can keep in touch with even after completion of the course.  Qualifications support experience and will help those looking to progress their career or move to a new employer.  It’s been supportive and engaging – the tutors, fellow learners, the IRRV team, it’s a real community feel.  The biggest thing for me is that now I know I can do it! I have the confidence to believe in myself.

When you put in the hard work, it is definitely very rewarding.