LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

REFUGEE ADVICE AND GUIDANCE UNIT

ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

PORTFOLIO
By Muana Nsambu TAZI
(Emmanuel Pepe)

RAGU JULY 2004

OUTLINE
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 2. INTRODUCTION 3. CURRICULUM VITAE 4. EDUCATION AND TRAINING 4.1 My Education and Training in the D.R.Congo 4.2 My Education and Training in the UK 4.3 Learning Outcomes 5. EMPLOYMENT HISTORY 5.1 Marketing Researcher 5.2 Learning Outcomes 5.3. Commercial Assistant Manager 5.4 Learning Outcomes 5.5. Computer Trainer and Assistant Manager 5.6. Learning Outcomes 6. LIFE EXPERIENCE 6.1 Head of Cultural activities 6.2 Coordinator of Students activities 6.3 Head of Theatre company and actor 6.4 Learning Outcomes 7. CONCLUSION 8. BIBLIOGRAPHY 9. EVIDENCES 9.1 Copy of Group Presentation report 9.2 Copy of Group Presentation Work 9.3 Copies and translation of School, University and training Documents 3 4 5 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 13 14 15 16 19 27

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
After my desperate year when arrived in this country, I found a way which can restore my previous status. This way is RAGU of the London Metropolitan University, which offered me an APEL course that allows me to draft this portfolio, the only consistent evidence with my previous education and work experience. But there were people who freely accept me with my difficulties in communication skills and ignorance of the education system and the requirements for accessing the Labour market in the U.K. I would like to express very heartfelt thanks for the hours of time they spent to teach and advise me, and the thoughtful answers they proffered to my questions. I think particularly to: - Andrew CLARKE, for the Portfolio building lessons and his helpful advice as my portfolio Tutor. Richard PAYNE, who helped me to distinguish formal and informal language for academic and professional purposes. Azadeh MASHHADIAGHA, Helen Peter and Sumita DUTTA for their apprentice in filling the job application forms, writing CV and cover letters, attending the interviews, personal development, accessing the higher education and employment in the United Kingdom. Fariba for her IT lessons which reminds me the computing lessons that I used to teach in my country and the PowerPoint lesson I added in my IT knowledge. Luisa ARES and Helen PETERS, for their Higher Education session from I discovered the UK Education system. I did not forget all members of RAGU staff for their kindness in providing the necessary information I always needed, I think to Luisa ARES, Justin BRETT, Nebojsa DUROVIC, Christine KAJUMBUA and Martin JAMES. I cannot close this acknowledgement page without thanking all my fellowstudents for the complementary in our daily work, especially my group presentation members for their availability in achieving the task that we have been given.

I also dedicate this work to you my sons Kotler-Amen TAZI NKUNGA and Glory TAZI KEMAKUKO, for the love that we have mutually, and my uncle Edouard BIUMA (Durango) and all members of my family for your help that allowed me to attend the United Kingdom. I bear full responsibility for any remaining stylistic and written errors of fact, of which I hope they are few.

INTRODUCTION
Who does not know that refugees and Asylum seekers in this country suffer unemployment and non-educational disproportionately? This is due to a number of factors including widely held negative perceptions and racism, lack of knowledge of UK systems and practices, lack of communications skills, lack of experience in the UK, lack of UK qualifications, low self-confidence and self esteem, and inability to identify and describe transferable skills in order to find employment or education (RAGU, Module Booklet of APEL). As a Congolese citizen who left his country for political problems and arrived in this country two years ago, the aim of I am writing this portfolio is to reflect on the past my educational and employment experiences, to identify my skills and develop my formal language in order to communicate these skills effectively. I hope that this drafted portfolio will be an appropriate document and consistent evidence thought which I present my self as an educational and experienced professional with many transferable skills for the UK Labour Market. I divided this portfolio in three parts relating on educational background, employment history and life experience. But apart of the introduction and conclusion, I have inserted my CV and my educational and training evidences in order to help readers to understand what was happened to my life since I was born. I hope that the following pages will attract any prospective employer in needs of educational, experienced, motivated, confident, hard and team worker.

CURRICULUM VITAE
Muana Nsambu TAZI 37 Sigdon Road Hackney Downs London E8 1AP epepetazi@yahoo.fr Personal Profile A friendly, dynamic, confident and motivated person who has excellent knowledge in Marketing and/or Commercial Management, Computing Administration and Finance, training experience and good interpersonal skills. Able to lead others and inspire enthusiasm in staff. Key skills Good knowledge of Business management and administration Teaching and training experience Supervisory experience Good knowledge of Bookkeeping and financial techniques Strategic planning and decision making experience Excellent knowledge in computer with a working experience of word, excel, PowerPoint and internet applications Hard and team worker Fluent in two additional languages: French and Lingala

Education and Training 2003 Complete Accounts Professional Scheidegger Training, Luton, U.K Currently studying on distance learning for a computerised accountancy qualification which includes computerised bookkeeping, payroll and small business and finance management. Certificate in Professional Development Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning London Metropolitan University, Refugee Assessment and guidance Unit, U.K

2003

It includes portfolio building, communications skills, information technique (IT: word processing and Microsoft PowerPoint), labour market, higher education system and personal development. 2002 OCR Level 1 Certificate for IT Users (New CLAIT) in word processing Stoke-on-Trent College, U.K

1992.1999

Degree in Economics University of Kinshasa, Dem. Rep. Congo Specialized in Marketing Management that includes, accountancy, statistics, Logic, Business English, Demography, Sociology, Psychology, Politic economics, Maths, Marketing, Management, Advertising, Finance, Consumer behaviours, sales analysis, Economic fluctuation and growing, Economic History, Micro and Macro economics, Methods of research, civil law, commercial law, administrative law. Certificate in IT Users in MS Dos, Windows, Word, excel and Internet applications Bonsomi Computing Centre, Dem. Rep. Congo Diploma in Pedagogy Bonsomi College, Dem. Rep. Congo This diploma (Science of teaching) includes Pedagogy, teaching practice, Maths, French, English, Philosophy, Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, Drawings, Technology, History, Geography, Physics, Gymnastic

1997

1984.1990

Employment History 2003 Voluntary work in the finance department of NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education), Leicester Duties include recording invoices in the computing exchequer Commercial Assistant Manager LEDYA SPRL Ltd., Import and Export Business, Dem. Rep. Congo Duties include managing the distribution of frozen and dry foodstuffs from import warehouse to local supermarkets (branches), dealing with sales to private distributors. Analyzing and writing reports, strategic planning and decision making, budgeting and supervising staff, dealing with commercial administration and analysis, and price fixing (Permanent Job). Computer Skills Trainer and Assistant Manager Bazar Nkunga Ltd., Family Computing Business Duties include Teaching MS Dos, Windows, Word95 and 97, Excel, and Internet applications to students aged 16-80. Bookkeeping, supervising activities and managing personal (Evening job).

2000.2001

2000.2001

1996.2000

Marketing Researcher British American Tobacco company Ltd, Dem. Rep. Congo Duties include supervising a team of 8 to 10 researchers in conducting surveys, monitoring quality or sale of products and providing training to new researchers. Interviewing customers and obtaining feedback on current and new products report writing and statistical analysis. Giving presentations and attending meetings (Temporary job).

1994 and 1998 Work Placement in the Marketing Department of the British American Tobacco Company Ltd, Dem. Rep. Congo Duties include working in team with advertisers and sales promotion agents, recording invoices and receipts using Microsoft access, giving support to administrative duties. Interests Enjoy fashion, Football, Music, cinema, reading current affairs books, meeting people and socializing with people. References supplied in request.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

1. CONGOLESE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND MY EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN D.R.CONGO

Before starting this section, I am going to describe the Congolese education System in order to help all readers of this portfolio to understand it and have an idea about the equivalence with the British System. The Congolese Education System is divided in three levels, starting from six years old: Primary School (6 years), Secondary school (6years) and University (5 years) or Superior Institute (3 years). Levels are set by ability but not age. Regarding my education, I completed the three levels but I started the Primary school later while I was seven years old in 1978 at Saint Martin School (Catholic School) and graduated in 1984 with 85%. It covered the general studies that included numeracy, literacy, French, Lingala and general culture (history, geography, and science). Due to my good grades I was able to enroll at a Prestigious Belgian Catholic Secondary School called Bonsomi College (Former PIE XII College) in 1984 and obtained a State Diploma in Pedagogy (Science of teaching) in 1990 with 65%. That diploma covered Pedagogy, teaching practice, Maths, French, English, Philosophy, Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, Drawings, Technology, History, Geography, Physics, Gymnastic As I was good in Maths, psychology, physics, numeracy and because of my last result which I achieved at the secondary school, I decided to take admission in the biggest university of my country called University of Kinshasa (former Belgian Catholic University called University of Lovanium), to study economics, which accepted only students with 60 percent and over of secondary school. It was in 1990 but because of political problems we started the course on January 1991. And on march 1991, the university and other superior institutes were closed because of misunderstanding between government and students/professors, brief political problems. I missed two academic years (1990-1991 and 1991-1992). At the end of 1992 the University was opened but we started normally on January 1993 for the academic year 1992-1993. We studied then for two years (1992-1993 & 1993-1994). There was again after that a blank year (19941995) because of non-payments of professors/Teachers. I took advantage of that gap and did my three months work placement at Matadi town, in the county of Bas-Congo in the company called British American Tobacco (B.A.T-Congo). I restarted the course on 1996 for the academic year 1995-1996. I completed this year with 60% and wrote an undergraduate thesis whose subject was The informal sector and its contribution

in the daily life of the people. I did surveys and concluded that the majority of Congolese people do not support financially themselves with the salary or income that they received from their employers. They supplemented their income with the money gained in informal activities such as artisan bakeries, farms and fields, money exchange, small family businesses and so on. I pursued my study in the department of applied economics, specializing in Marketing Management. I studied the fourth year (1996-1997) and there was another gap in the academic year 1997-1998 because of political problems again. I took again advantage of it and did my second three months work placement in the marketing department of B.A.T-Congo at Kinshasa, the Capital of Congo and the training in computing and obtained a certificate for IT User at the College were I had done my secondary school that included MS Dos, Windows applications, Excel, Word95, 97 and Internet applications. I went back to the University for my last year on 1999 for the academic year 1998-1999 and achieved on January 2000. But as my other fellow students were late and were waiting for the second exam session, I was awarded a degree in Economics with 67% on June 2000. That degree included accountancy, statistics, Logic, Business English, Demography, Sociology, Psychology, Politic economics, Maths, Marketing, Management, Advertising, Finance, Consumer behaviors, sales analysis, Economic fluctuation and growing, Economic History, Micro and Macro economics, Methods of research, civil law, commercial law, administrative law. I wrote and defended a thesis whose subject was Problematic of the launch of new products, causes of their failure. It was focused on cigarettes, especially Players Gold Leaf of BAT-Congo and Dallas of TABACONGO. After surveys it was shown that the company must before launching any new product in the market study the needs of consumers and make a good segmentation, good target and fix good price for this product in relation with the existing and the competitors products. 2. MY EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM When I have arrived in England in May 2002, I attended an English summer course and Computing course in Stoke-on Trent College from July to august 2002 and obtained an ESOL Certificate in basic level and an OCR level1 Certificate for IT User (New CLAIT). Currently I am studying first of all in distance learning The Complete Accounts Professional with Scheidegger Training (College), which includes Computerized Bookkeeping, Computerized Payroll and Small Business Management that I expected to achieve this year. Secondly, I am studying the Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) course with the Refugee Assessment Guidance Unit (RAGU) of the London Metropolitan University for a Certificate in Professional Development. 3. LEARNING OUTCOMES From my education and training done in Congo and in the U.K. I have developed many skills such as:

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Writing, reading and speaking (communications skills) Researching, analyzing and summarizing Accounting (finance) and bookkeeping Good knowledge in IT Preparing and writing reports, Extrapolating from the known to the unknown Bringing together information from different sources Thinking logically Monitoring data and ideas from people Establishing targets.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
1. MARKETING RESEARCHER, B.A.T-Congo, Kinshasa/D.R.Congo, 1996-1999 I did my first temporary job when I was student, from 1996-1999 in order to pay my school fees and support my studies. I was working as a Marketing researcher in the Marketing department of B.A.T-Congo. I worked first of all as a conductor of surveys and after my first survey and because I did it very well, I was promoted as Supervisor. I supervised a team of 8-10 researchers in monitoring quality of products and provided training to new members of staff. I interviewed customers, especially smokers and obtained feedback on current and existing products about their taste or before the launch of new one in the market. I also conducted surveys to find out about the level of sale in relation with the competitors products, visited some point of selling for advice and merchandising. Then, at the end I set out my findings and statistical analysis in a written report, gave presentations and attended meeting with B.A.T-Congo staff. 2. LEARNING OUTCOMES I have developed in this temporary job many skills such as: - Team working - Dealing with people other than colleagues - Working on my own initiative - Supervising a team - Interviewing people - Analyzing statistical data - Conducting researches in a specific field - Meeting and socializing with people - Communication skills. 3. COMMERCIAL ASSISTANT MANAGER, LEDYA sprl, Import and Export Business, Kinshasa/D.R.Congo, 2000-2001. After finishing my University studies and obtaining a degree in Economics, I started working as A Commercial Assistant Manager in an Import and Export Business. I was

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dealing with the import department (frozen and dried foods). I used to record all products imported from abroad, stocked them in the main warehouse and manage their dispatch to our supermarkets, local branches and private distributors as well. I targeted their sales for our supermarkets and local branches, supervised their management and sale, received and analyzed their reports before preparing and writing reports for a senior staff managerial use. I also undertook some research to find out about quality and price of our competitors products in order to improve ours and fix competitive prices and attended meeting with the staff managerial for making decision about targeting our sale and fixing prices. I also visited private distributors in order to know how they were dealing with our products and gave them advice, if necessary. 4. LEARNING OUTCOMES I have developed the following skills: - Team working - Strategic planning - Finance and business management and administration - Budgeting and controlling - Taking the initiative and making decisions - Analyzing and giving advice - Organizing and defining targets - Supervising various supermarkets and other branches - Researching improvement of the company and its products - Preparing and writing reports - Working under pressure when out of stock or with limited stock - Analyzing competitor activities - Communication skills. 5. COMPUTER TRAINER AND ASSISTANT MANAGER, Bazar Nkunga Ltd., Family Business, 2000-2001 When I was working as a Commercial Assistant manager, I also worked every evening for my family business as a Computer Trainer and Assistant Manager. I gave support to administration duties in accountancy, payroll and finance (bookkeeping, recording all transactions) and made decision when necessary. I taught MS Dos, Windows, Ms Excel, Word 95 and 97, and Internet applications to students aged 18-60 years old, carried out assessment and planning lessons as well. 6. LEARNING OUTCOMES I have developed the skills below: - Excellent computer and Communication skills - Dealing with a range of age groups - Training and teaching - Bookkeeping and finance management skills.

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LIFE EXPERIENCE
In this section, I am going to describe the experience I have gained outside of my education or employment. 1. HEAD OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, Borough of Ndjili, Kinshasa/R.D.Congo, 1990-2000 I was involved in cultural activities in my local borough. I managed several associations dealing with the development of our city in general and our borough particularly. I organized several activities such as conferences and seminars regarding how to develop the country, how the youth could face the democracy or the sexuality. I represented the community when necessary and dealt with borough administrators. 2. COORDINATOR OF STUDENTS Kinshasa/D.R.Congo, 1992-2000 ACTIVITIES, University of Kinshasa,

I was involved in students activities as soon as I was admitted to the University. I participated in organizing several protest marches against mismanagement of the university and the country. I was Assistant Editor and wrote articles in the students newspapers called ECAPLIBRE which was writing about life in the University, the management of the country by the government, and the management of the university and other institutions. I became then Leader of our faculty, Economics, and was voted Head (Rep) of economists students. I managed the economists students association and dealt with their daily problems. 3. HEAD OF THEATRE COMPANY Kinshasa/D.R.Congo, 1996-1997 AND ACTOR, Afric-Theatre,

As an actor I wrote and presented drama and comedy history regarding the daily life of my country in politic, community and church, their mismanagement and conduct. I and my colleagues presented two dramas: Barabbas, Bible story when condemning Jesus and releasing Barabbas; Where is the truth? daily life in political activities, in church and other activities: needs of political post without considering needs of people, creating churches just for money and other issues. 4. LEARNING OUTCOMES

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From these three activities, I learnt to: - Work under pressure - Deal with governors and police when there is trouble - Socialize and meet with people - Work on my own initiative - Improvise and create stories - Write and report - Communicate.

CONCLUSION
By producing this portfolio which covered the educational and training background, the employment history and life experience, I have identified my useful skills and experiences which could attract employers. But I am open to any kind of training offered by employers program in order to gain more other skills for the growing and the development of the company. But for my own development, I hope to do the Postgraduate diploma in Business Economics and Finance and why not pursue my studies until becoming a university teacher in my country. So I have to work hard and be motivated and confident to my self about my abilities, knowledge and skills, and try to overcome any kind of difficulty which can occur in my future life.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
I. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. II. Handout and Booklets Andrew CLARKE, Portfolio Building course, APEL/RAGU, 2004 Richard PAYNE, Communication skills course, APEL/RAGU, 2004 Fariba, IT course, APEL/RAGU, 2004 Sumita DUTTA, Personal development course, APEL/RAGU, 2004 Azadeh MASHAHHDIAGHA, Labour Market course, APEL/RAGU, 2004 Helen PETERS and Luisa ARES, Higher Education course, APEL/RAGU, 2004 Module Booklet of APEL, RAGU, 2004 Andrew HOWARD, ESOL course, Hackney Community College, 2004 Works and Reports

1. M.N.TAZI, D.ONEN and H.SANTANA, Accessing the Labour Market in the UK, APEL/RAGU, 2004 2. N.KINEZA, T.BENYAS, Higher Education, APEL/RAGU, 2004 3. M.N.TAZI, Group Presentation Report, APEL/RAGU, 2004 III. Dictionaries

1. Easy Learning French Dictionary, 2nd edition, HarperCollins Publishers, 2001. 2. Dictionary and Thesaurus, 1st edition, Geddes & Grosset, 2002. 3. Concise Edition English Dictionary, 4th edition, Geddes & Grosset, 2002

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EVIDENCES

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COPY OF MY GROUP PRESENTATION REPORT

GROUP PRESENTATION REPORT ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING SUBJECT: ACCESSING EMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM By Muana Nsambu TAZI From the Democratic Republic of CONGO (DRC) 09th June 2004

A. THE GROUP The group was composed of three members: 1. Dickson ONEN, from Uganda 2. Helena SANTANA, from Angola 3. Muana Nsambu TAZI, from D.R.Congo The subject was divided into three parts and covered as follow: Basic Requirements, by M.N.TAZI: included personal details, qualifications and Education and employment history. Job Search, by D. ONEN: covered CV writing, Application form filling, interview attending and so on. Equal Opportunities, by H.SANTANA: covered discrimination that can be found in work for people with disabilities, for their race, religion, ethnicity, and those with AIDS, HIV, and so on.

Unfortunately, on the presentation day, Dickson who should present the job search part was unavailable and I (TAZI) tried to say something about it. B. THE METHODOLOGY It was very difficult to work together because of different background of members, poor or/and average communication skills and different timetable of each member. Everyone wanted his idea or opinion to be considered. There were many unjustified absences and when conflicts occurred in a group about opinions, others members referred to the tutor without informing the group. We divided our subject into three parts and asked each member to search about his part and bring the written report for group discussion. So, instead of my part, the basic requirements, I took the introduction as well. Dickson took the job search and the

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conclusion. Helena dealt with the equal opportunities with the group presentation PowerPoint. But on the day of presentation, apart from my part, I also talked about the job search because of Dicksons absence and Helena concluded the presentation. C. DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH As a job seeker, it was easy for me to find information about job requirements because I regularly visit the job point list of jobcentreplus and know more about requirements. To complete my research I visited the BBC job requirements web site and found more information about our subject. Before visiting the web sites above, I started with the Home Office official site to find out about the right to work in this country. D. FINDINGS Statistics for this part of subject were not necessary. The first information that I found while visiting the Home Office web site, I discovered that if you are not from an European Union country, you must have a valid leave to remain in the United Kingdom before accessing in the U.K Labor Market. And Asylum seekers are not allowed to do any paid work unless they have received a work permit before the 26th July 2002 when it was established by the Government that all asylum seekers could not work until their asylum claim would be positively assessed. The second was the identification that the job seeker must give such as name, address, contact number / e-mail address, National Insurance number, nationality and ethnic group for equal opportunity purpose. Thirdly education and qualifications gained. Regarding qualification the job seeker must explain and give details about any qualification and modules attended in education in order to allow the prospective employer to know more about his knowledge, achievements and skills that match his needs for that specific job. Finally the employment history where he has to provide the name, address of his previous employer, his salary, job title and what his role involved in that job. But if he does not have work experience he must include a statement telling the prospective employer what he gained through education. He must be opened to any training or other qualification program that could be offered by the employer while in post. E. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION It is very difficult to work in a group when this is composed with people of different background and culture. But it is quite important because you need to do that in most employment anywhere. So you must learn to listen to others opinions and considered them if necessary. Teamwork skill is very important. I recommend that, in the future, members of group need to work on their own and try to solve their conflicts without referring to the tutor. The Tutor can be notified only with the group consent.

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In conclusion, I am happy with this group presentation. It helped me and others to talk in the second language and in front of an invited audience. This could should continue in order to help other refugees and asylum seekers with previous qualifications and work experience before accessing the higher education or employment in this country.

F. BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTERNET WEB SITES
1. 2. 3. www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife/work/archive/apply_reqs.shtml www.jobcentreplus.co.uk

www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk

DICTIONARIES 3. Easy Learning French Dictionary, 2nd edition, HarperCollins Publishers, 2001. 4. Dictionary and Thesaurus, 1st edition, Geddes & Grosset, 2002. 3. Concise Edition English Dictionary, 4th edition, Geddes & Grosset, 2002.

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COPY OF OUR GROUP PRESENTATION WORK ACCESSING THE LABOUR MARKET IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
1. BASIC REQUIREMENTS In this chapter we will try to explain the different requirements that employers in general need before accessing to specific job. We will talk about: - Personal details and Education - Qualifications, Training and Employment details - Reasons, Questions and References 1.1 Personal details and Education 1.1.1 Personal details

This is the easiest section/requirement for everyone who already gets Leave to remain in the United Kingdom. If you are asylum seeker you are not entitled to a job unless you have been allowed to work before July 26 th 2002. So, you have to provide your identity: name, address, date of birth, contact number, National Insurance Number, if you are not Union European, your immigration (home office) papers, as well as your nationality and ethnic group. This is to ensure that they are offering equal opportunity to all the United Kingdom residents. 1.1.2 Education

The employer wants to know your education. So you must be careful to any instructions he is asking for, your recent first or last education, the addresses and names of schools/University you attended, their dates and the qualifications gained. 1.2 Qualifications, Training and Employment details 1.2.1 Qualifications and training

The qualifications here are those that equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to do a specific job, you shall gain them at College, University, as part of your work or in your spare time. For example: - Pitman in Secretarial or computing skills - BTEC, NVQ, SVQ or City and Guilds qualifications, Degree, Master - Training that you have undertaken at work in learning a new computer system, a time management, a customers service, sales, health and safety or first aid. - Training or qualifications received through a sport or hobby, such as music or material arts or perhaps you are qualified dance teacher, diving tutor (Swimming tutor), lifeguard or youth leader.

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- Any relevant evening or weekend classes you have taken. Do not assume that your employer more about your NVQ, Degree or Master but give details of any modules that are relevant to the job to the job. And if you are still studying for qualifications, put them down and state when you expect to achieve them down and state when you expect to achieve them. But if you do not have qualifications, do not leave the blank, write not applicable. 1.2.2 Employment history

Normally in this section, your employer want to know your present companys name, address and what they do, as well as your job title, what your role involves and your salary. If this your first proper job you are applying for, and there is a whole page to fill with previous employment details, write something in it, do not leave it blank, even if you will had a part time job, temporary work or done a work experience placement, mention it here. But if you do not have one include a statement that you come through the education and you do not have work experience. 2.2 Reasons, Questions and References 2.2.1 Reasons for applying

It can be called Relevant experience or Personal statement. This section contains element that can impress your employer. So you have to match your skills, qualities and experience to what they are looking for. You have to summarise why you are suitable for the post, highlight personal achievements and other information that is relevant. You are then write about: - What attracted you to that job - How your qualifications and experience are relevant - How your skills match the jobs requirements - What you are planning to do or improve your skills/qualifications, specially if there is something in the job description you do not have, which aspect of your personality you will fit in, how activities you are involved demonstrate those personality traits 2.2.2 Questions

You are going to state here any skills that you gained from every part of your life, not just from education, training or work. It is an opportunity to make good impression. Be honest and sell yourself. These skills can be: - When you were doing something as part of team, how the team worked together and explain the part you played - Describe a time when you explained something complicated to a group or an individual and show how you helped them understand it 2.2.3 References

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You must provide references that should come from someone who knows you on a professional basis and also knows you well to give a witness about you. It can be a previous employer, teacher or college tutor. But you must check that he is willing to provide a reference. 2. JOB SEARCH 2.1. INTRODUCTION It is a common knowledge nowadays that getting into the right career path and maintaining it is equally challenging as acquiring the skills. Most people are unemployed or lack career prosperity not because they do not have the necessary skills but mainly because they fall short of the employers demands. This is a common phenomenon among the UKs refugee professionals. Two in three employed professionals that we randomly spoke to said they were happy with their jobs but wanted more challenging and better paid roles. For some reasons they preferred to remain in their existing employment. The assumption is that looking for jobs or changing jobs can be a truly stressing experience and is said to rank up there with divorce and moving home. It is no coincident then that peoples life fulfillment are affiliated with the kind of job they do and above all enjoy doing. Our research has produced the following 9 steps that a job hunter may find very helpful: Issues to consider before consider before starting a job search Prepare and write your C.V. Plan your job search. Where to look for jobs Job Applications What employers generally look for in candidates? Preparing yourself for interviews Evaluating job offers, dealing with offers and rejections.

2.2. ISSUES TO CONSIDER BEFORE STARTNG A JOB SEARCH. Get adequate counseling advice about your career future then decide accordingly. Prepare to deal with stress and changes. Set and write down your goals and aspirations to guide your career life. Be honest to yourself. Analyse your needs and wants. Perhaps you need not change your career or existing job but improve it. Decide on your career direction. Either same job/different company or same company different job. Weigh you advantages and disadvantages before deciding.

2.3. PREPARE AND WRITE YOUR C.V Some key facts you need to know about your C.V:

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It should contain previous jobs together with details of experience or skills. It should be relevant and precise. Do not include irrelevant personal details. Your C.V should grab the attention of the employer. The main purpose of the C.V is to take you to the interviews and not get the job. Your C.V should be suitable for your purpose. Do use good quality white papers. Be honest about your skills and achievements and ensure you can back them at interviews. C, V should be 2 pages long. Do not include photos as you may be discriminated upon on the basis of your appearance. Your C.V should be well presented. Use appropriate power words. 2.4 PLAN YOUR JOB SEARCH. Proper planning can relief you from stress and also build on the success for the future. It is advisable to plan your days activities and write them down on a diary. 2.5. WHERE TO LOOK FOR JOBS. Recruitment Consultants: The three known forms are: High Street Specialists Executives Search Online recruitment Services: C.V posting Personal Job search C.V management Message board Privacy options Expert advice on jobs Newsletters Newspapers and trade publications Job centres Job fairs Career Counselors Networking

2.6. JOB APPLICATION When applying for a job you need to identify from the job advertisement what the skills and the specifications are before applying. In the case of application forms you need to make note of the following key sections:

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Details of the vacancy, which should come with the form if not refer to the original advertisement. Personal Details-be relevant do not mention irrelevant details. Equal opportunity-for monitoring and implementations of Equal opportunity, normally optional. Education Details-from Secondary school onwards. Training Courses-a good section to make you stand out. Include all relevant training done. Membership of professional bodies. Employment History-the employers aim is to find out if you can do the job. Read the job advertisement and relate your experience to the job description. Use recognizable job titles and dates in chronological order. Salary on leaving Reason/s for leaving-state clearly and positively. Relevant information-this is the most important section. It is an opportunity to highlight and sell your skills and achievements to the employer. State in relation to your career interest why you are applying for the job. Write a covering letter to accompany the application form. You should do the same while sending your C.V. In the case of an application form you are best advised not to include your C.V. The covering letter should represent your skills and achievements adequately and encouragingly for the employer to invite you to the interviews. Send your application three days before the closing date.

2.7 WHAT EMPLOYERS GENERALLY LOOK FOR IN CANDIDATES Employers primarily look to fulfil three sets of criteria in their search for new employees: Can he/she do the job-by means of your C.V/application form and at interviews the employer probes into your skills and achievements and ensure a match of his requirements. The primary aim is to find out whether the candidate can fulfil the duties of the job. Will he/she do the job the employer assesses whether the candidate will commit to the job and will do the expected tasks? Some people do have the abilities but for some reasons fall short of the marks-laziness or lack of interest. Will he/she fit in-the employer wants to ensure that your personality and interpersonal skills are appropriate with the role and that you will fit in with your colleagues without creating trouble.

2.8 PREPARING YOURSELF FOR INTERVIEW Dress smartly your because your appearance will send a lot of messages to the employer. Prepare to use body languages such as: making regular eye contacts, shaking hands, taking a good sitting position, smile, nod head, lean forward etc. Prepare your knowledge about: Your skills and achievements The company The job

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Prepare your answers, identify your area of weakness and strength. Try and forecast the employers strategic needs using the knowledge you have. 1. Prepare your questions-ask questions relating to the company. Show some interest in the employers organisation and be forward thinking. 2. Prepare your journey: you should arrive 15-20 minutes earlier. 3. Prepare to be mentally focus and relax. Use relaxing techniques but do not show sign of boredom. 4. Prepare your interview checklist. 5. You should be prepared for all the different forms of interviews which are: Telephone interviews Assessment Centre interviews which involves: Presentation Role-play Psychometric assessments Interviews Penal Interviews-normally consist of 2-6 members each representing an area of Specialty in the organisation. Try to identify the team leader and make a good impression of him/her. Psychometric testing. This form of interview is very popular with employers and is aimed at getting suitability: Ability testing-e.g. true or false Aptitude testing-used to assess specific skills Personality testing-attempts to find out whether you will fit into the organisation. Such test includes multiple-choice answers such as agree, strongly agree, moderate, disagree, and strongly disagree.

3.8 EVALUATING JOB OFFER, DEALING OFFERS AND REJECTION Offer Methods: By telephone: do not show negativity for the offer but request for reasonable length of time to consider the offer. By letter-normally you are offered 48hours to take up the offer, which is quite sufficient. At interview-resort back and apply the tactics of time buying. What to consider when evaluating job offer: Job content-is the content interesting to you: Does the role fit into your long-term plan: Will it help you to develop your knowledge and experience. Your salary and benefits-is the salary offer what you expect? Is it in line with the market rate? When is your next salary review? Are there any bonuses expected? When are they paid and how are they calculated? Location-Consider the travelling implications in terms of costs and time. Do you have to relocate? What other issues must you consider such as school or spouses job? Your co-workers-Have you met your co-workers? Do they seem the right type of people you can work along with? What is the working week made of? How many hours? What other commitments do you have outside work that could get affected?

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What is the company culture and does it suit your personality? Is the organisation flexible or have very strict work rules? How will change your lifestyle? Offer negotiation: have a good night sleep before taking a decision. Negotiation may only be applied if you are in a position of power and it is vital that you have a firm ground. Be realistic about your expectation. A common negotiation package consists of the following: Salary Salary review dates Benefits Holiday entitlement Accepting/declining the offer: accepting the offer verbally confirm your acceptance and up with a written confirmation. Ask employer to confirm the offer stating the job title, start date and salary and benefits and say you are looking forward to joining the company. Declining the offer-communicate that verbally followed by a confirmation letter. Thank the employer for their time and state briefly why you could not take up the offer. Resigning: do not resign until you have a firm offer. Dealing with rejection: look at all the skills and efforts you have put into the process so far and make use of your learning experience: What you did well. What you could have done better. What you have learnt about yourself What you will do differently next time.

4. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES Policies at Work Place for Women 3.1. Why do we need equal opportunities? The equal opportunities are to undertake resources and monitor program of positive action to ensure that we (women) are protected in the work place. 3.2. How does it work? Sometimes we (woman) go to a work place without knowing our rights as human beings. Equal Opportunities are to protect people from abuse in the work place such as: Inequality Sex Discrimination Harassment and sexual harassment.

3.3 Who are the discriminated? These are some of the people who tend to suffer most of the discrimination in work place.

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Disable people Black and other ethnic minorities people Lesbians, gay men, and transsexual. In some cases AIDS and HIV positive. People with criminal convictions

But this doesnt means men arent discriminated against; however women, men, asylum seekers, and refugees are more likely to be discriminated against, due to various reasons such as the color of their skin, accent, gender and disability. Employers will not tell you that these are the reasons however in some cases it can be proven that these are some of the reasons for not employing someone. 3.4 Sex Discrimination Act According to the law in the UK every employer is required to have equal opportunity policies to protect its employees against any possible discrimination law suite that might arise. Although employers are required by law not to discriminate in favour or against. Research has shown that there is a gap in salaries between woman and men. That tends to be very evident in the regional areas.

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COPIES AND TRANSLATION OF SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY AND TRAINING DOCUMENTS

The translation that you are going to find in the following pages is unofficial and has been written by myself in order to help readers have an idea about my education background.

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UNIVERSITY OF KINSHASA FACULTY OF ECONOMICS

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS I Professor ZOLA-NI-VUNDA Academic General Secretary of the University of Kinshasa certify that Mr. TAZI MUANA NSAMBU, born on 07th June 1971 achieved the second (last) level of degree ECONOMICS specializing in Marketing (Commercial) Management (1998-1999) as established by the law of 15th October 1978 No ESURS/BCE/114/1978 and obtained the marks below: Modules 1. Budget Management and Management Control 2. Management by computer 3. Social security and Social Legislation 4. Firm politics 5. Investment Projects Valuation and Preparation 6. Professional Ethics and Conducts 7. Applied Mathematics in Management 8. Marketing Research and Analysis 9. Advertising and sales offers 10. Theory of Consumer behaviour 11. Economic Analysis of Distribution 12. Marketing Management Seminar 13. Two months Work Placement 14. Thesis: Tutor Marks 15. Thesis: Telltale Marks 16. Thesis: Lecturer Marks Grade: SATISFACTION (67 %) Kinshasa 12th April 2001. H/TH H/PR 60 h 45 h 30 h 15 h 30 h 15 h 45 h 30 h 30 h 30 h 45 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 30 h 15 h 00 h 15 h 45 h 00 h 30 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 60 h 320 h 90 h 30 h 30 h marks/20 11 10 15 14 09 08 17 14 15 09 13 16 18 14 15 16

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UNIVERSITY OF KINSHASA FACULTY OF ECONOMICS

MARKS STATEMENT I Professor MVUDI MATINGU Faculty Academic Secretary of Economics Faculty of the University of Kinshasa certify that Mr. TAZI MUANA NSAMBU born on 07th June 1971achieved the second level of Degree program in Marketing Management for the academic year 1998-1999 and obtained the marks below: Modules 1. Budget Management and Management Control 2. Management by computer 3. Social security and Social Legislation 4. Firm politics 5. Investment Projects Valuation and Preparation 6. Professional Ethics and Conducts 7. Applied Mathematics in Management 8. Marketing Research and Analysis 9. Advertising and sales offers 10. Theory of Consumer behaviour 11. Economic Analysis of Distribution 12. Marketing Management Seminar 13. Two months Work Placement 14. Thesis: Tutor Marks 15. Thesis: Telltale Marks 16. Thesis: Lecturer Marks Average: 67 % Grade: SATISFACTION Kinshasa 11th April 2000. Theory Practice 60 h 45 h 30 h 15 h 30 h 15 h 45 h 30 h 30 h 30 h 45 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 30 h 15 h 00 h 15 h 45 h 00 h 30 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 60 h 320 h 90 h 30 h 30 h Marks/20 11 10 15 14 09 08 17 14 15 09 13 16 18 14 15 16

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UNIVERSITY OF KINSHASA FACULTY OF ECONOMICS MARKS STATEMENT

I Professor MVUDI MATINGU Faculty Academic Secretary of Economics Faculty of the University of Kinshasa certify that Mr. TAZI MUANA NSAMBU born on 07th June 1971 achieved the first level of Degree program in Applied Economics for the academic year 1996-1997 and obtained the marks below: Modules 1. Micro-Economics 2. Macro-Economics 3. Operational Research 4. Finance Management 5. Personal Management 6. Marketing Management 7. Theory of International Exchange 8. Econometrics Principles 9. Business Applied Statistics 10. Economics Fluctuation and Growth 11. Finance Economics 12. Analysis of Accountancy Assessment 13. Business ethics Average: 65 % Grade: SATISFACTION Kinshasa 07th April 1999 Theory Practice 60 h 60 h 60 h 30 h 30 h 45 h 45 h 45 h 30 h 45 h 30 h 30 h 00 h 30 h 30 h 15 h 15 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 15 h 15 h 00 h 00 h 30 h 60 h Marks/20 17 12 16 14 11 11 08 10 11 16 10 13 15

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UNIVERSITY OF KINSHASA FACULTY OF ECONOMICS MARKS STATEMENT

I Professor MVUDI MATINGU Faculty Academic Secretary of Economics Faculty of the University of Kinshasa certify that Mr. TAZI MUANA NSAMBU born on 07th June 1971 achieved the third level of Undergraduate program in Economics for the academic year 1995-1996 and obtained the marks below: Modules 1. Monetary Economics 2. Rural Economics 3. Quantitative Methods of Economics 4. Finance Analysis 5. Economics History 6. Basic Computing 7. National Accountancy 8. Exchequers compared 9. Analytic Accountancy of Exploitation 10. Personal Management 11. Two Months Work Placement 12. Thesis Average: 60 % Grade: SATISFACTION Kinshasa 22nd February 1998 Theory Practice 45 h 45 h 45 h 45 h 45 h 30 h 30 h 30 h 45 h 45 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 15 h 15 h 15 h 00 h 15 h 15 h 45 h 15 h 15 h 320 h 60 h Marks/20 12 11 09 12 10 12 12 11 12 12 18 15

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UNIVERSITY OF KINSHASA FACULTY OF ECONOMICS MARKS STATEMENT

I Professor MVUDI MATINGU Faculty Academic Secretary of Economics Faculty of the University of Kinshasa certify that Mr. TAZI MUANA NSAMBU born on 07th June 1971 achieved the second level of Undergraduate program in Economics for the academic year 1993-1994 and obtained the marks below: Modules 1. Politics Economics II 2. Basic Theory of Management 3. Statistics II 4. Mathematics II 5. Demography 6. Company Accountancy 7. Economics Geography of Congo 8. Administrative Law 9. Commercial law 10. English II 11. Finance Legislation 12. Third Word Economics Average: 60 % Grade: SATISFACTION Kinshasa 11th February 1999 Theory Practice 60 h 45 h 60 h 45 h 30 h 45 h 45 h 30 h 60 h 30 h 30 h 30 h 30 h 30 h 60 h 45 h 00 h 15 h 00 h 00 h 00 h 30 h 00 h 00 h Marks/20 13 13 11 14 11 14 08 10 16 12 12 08

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UNIVERSITY OF KINSHASA FACULTY OF ECONOMICS

MARKS STATEMENT

I Professor MVUDI MATINGU Faculty Academic Secretary of Economics Faculty of the University of Kinshasa certify that Mr. TAZI MUANA NSAMBU born on 07th June 1971 achieved the First level of Undergraduate program in Economics for the academic year 1992-1993 and obtained the marks below: Modules 1. Civics and Development 2. Logic, Verbal and Written expression 3. Mathematics I 4. Statistics I 5. General Accountancy 6. Philosophy 7. Civil Law 8. Economics Report and C. Correspondence 9. English I 10. Business Techniques 11. Methods of Research 12. Sociology 13. Politics Economics I Average: 62 % Grade: SATISFACTION Kinshasa 17th February 1999 Theory Practice 45 h 15 h 60 h 45 h 60 h 30 h 30 h 45 h 45 h 60 h 30 h 30 h 60 h 00 h 30 h 60 h 45 h 60 h 00 h 00 h 15 h 15 h 60 h 00 h 00 h 00 h Marks/20 13 09 13 10 13 14 14 13 13 10 12 13 14

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REPUBLIC OF ZAIRE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION STATE DIPLOMA We, members of State exam in charge of settlement of Diploma according to the law of 07th July 1988, referring to the national education law No 86/005 of 22 nd September 1986, certify that Mr. TAZI MUANA NSAMBU born on 07th June 1971 satisfied with 65 % in relation with the success conditions fixed above. We deliver him this Secondary Diploma in Pedagogy, especially Complete Pedagogy. Kinshasa 02nd July 1990.

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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

COMPUTING CENTRE OF BONSOMI

CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS We, Professors and Manager of this Centre certify that Mr. TAZI MUANA NSAMBU born on 07th June 1971 achieved the Computing course in MS Excel, MS Word, Works and Internet Applications from 23rd April to 24th September 1997. He obtained 67 % in the Final Assessment and has awarded this Certificate. Kinshasa 27th September 2000.

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