How to get into a business continuity career… and how to progress if you’re already in
Are you a non-BCI member exploring the possibilities of a business continuity career? A BCI member looking to move up? A professional considering certification? Read on…
The pathway to a business continuity career is clear, achievable, and community supported. Whilst there are many stages, each of them is a valid destination in its own right. And the BCI can support you at every stage.
The BCI Learning Pathway
The BCI offers a career roadmap for business continuity professionals, and those wanting to get into the industry, taking in general courses, specialised courses, membership grades and their associated benefits, thought leadership resources, CPD, mentoring, and the community support that membership bodies excel in.
So, where should you start?
Starting your Business Continuity Career
The Certificate of the Business Continuity Institute (CBCI) is a great starting point. The course is based on the BCI Good Practice Guidelines (GPG) 7.0, which draws on the knowledge of practitioners from all over the world and on information from ISO standards.
Whether you are looking to start a career in the business continuity & resilience industry or build resilience for your organization, the CBCI certification course is an essential training course that will provide you with all you need to know about business continuity management. By passing the CBCI Exam, you will gain a globally recognised certification in business continuity, with the bonus of a BCI membership.
With that foundation in place, extra benefits are opened up.
CBCIs can contribute to BCI content – you can share your industry insights, host a webinar or write a research piece. Members can also join the committee of their local Chapter group, as well as BCI Special Interest Groups and Forums.
You can even have a say on the benefits offered to our members by joining a BCI Member Participation Group.
And there is a personal touch too: via BCI Mentoring, you can find a mentor who can help support your professional development and career advancement with their guidance and assistance. And for those in a position to give something back, you can also offer your services as a mentor.
Advancing your Career
What's Next After CBCI? The AMBCI Grade and the ABCMC qualification are a logical next step. The BCI Advanced Business Continuity Management Certification (ABCMC) aims to provide a natural progression from the CBCI by focusing on developing skills in assessing and determining business continuity requirements for organizations.
The certification combines leadership and management competencies with the technical professional practices necessary to implement business continuity across an organization. Additionally, it aims to enhance an understanding of the factors that influence effective solutions and risk mitigation, while also emphasising the effective use of management and leadership skills within the context of business continuity.
Participants who complete this course will also receive 40 hours of CPD.
BCI Resilience Framework
Among its many offerings, the BCI has developed the Resilience Framework. This framework has been developed by a panel of experts to give organizations a robust structure to develop and enhance resilience in a systematic manner. It starts from the premise that resilience is the key objective of all protective processes carried out by organizations, that there are common foundations that underpin the development of resilience and its management; and that these relate to all organizations and settings.
Where Next for You?
If you are ready to start your learning pathway, a simple assessment can tell you where to go next.
Understand where you are to choose your entry point:
New to BC?
- CBCI
Some experience?
- ABCMC
Member of BCI?
- Have you joined a SIG or local branch?
- Could you contribute an article?
- Have you been mentored, or mentored others?
Take advantage of the support on offer:
BCI Mentoring
Licensed Training Partners: Approved training providers who can guide your study.
Use the BCI Community: Chapters, SIGs, and online forums connect you with peers on the same journey.7
Try the resources: Guides, eLearning, reports, webinars (All available through the BCI).
Commit and progress:
Apply what you learn in your day job — learning and practice reinforce each other.
Stay engaged with the community.
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