Job center no help with training?

Oldernotwiser

PasturesNew wrote: »

Nextstep isn't available where I live, although I could lie to them to see what they suggest/offer.

That's because Careers Wales is an all age guidance service and adults can get help there. Perhaps you should try them.

https://www.careerswales.com

DCFC79

Dont know what to suggest,

Oldernotwiser

PasturesNew wrote: »

It's that middle ground that jobseekers are after.

Nowadays a degree IS the middle ground!

PasturesNew

DCFC79 wrote: »

Dont know what to suggest,

No .. I don't even know whether to stay here or move. Or where to either.

I've spent my life just working hard, trying to get on - and crashed and burned at every company really. All have pretty much gone to the wall, etc. So you plug on, just to pay the bills. No time to think about training. No money for it, no time. And time passes. And when you look there's nothing you can do, so you plug on and carry on working because the bills need paying.

Then one day, you can stop and look ... and you find a big black hole really. I'll go see "the people", see if they can chuck some ideas/numbers about for me.

Just did a spreadsheet of: cost of going to Uni, working as/when while doing that, then getting a job (all theoretical values) -v- just working at whatever and forgetting it. And the figures don't come out better either way. So hard to choose. After all, we don't do any of it for fun do we! It's all about "if I do this, can I live, will I be financially better off having bothered".

PasturesNew

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Nowadays a degree IS the middle ground!

I left school with 2 O levels. That was the way it was. Then you went out and "got a job". So I did. Then you have bills to pay, so you carry on working to do that. And the world changes around you, but you're not in that loop, you just plug on, like a good little soldier.

Oldernotwiser

As has been suggested on another thread, I think, your best bet is the OU. You don't need entry qualifications and can do an introduction to Maths unit, followed by a 2 year Diploma in Statistics, taking you a maximum of 3 years in total. (Assuming you don't want to do the full degree.)

If your household income is lowish you'll get your fees paid and, because it's by distance learning, there's no problems if you move.

PasturesNew

I guess the OP's in the same position: what training could possibly be available that would actually make financial sense ... not having a lot available at evening class is limiting for people who have to earn their living either today or potentially next week.

Whatever happened to evening classes? It's all basket weaving and ethnic cooking now!

Oldernotwiser

PasturesNew wrote: »

I left school with 2 O levels. That was the way it was. Then you went out and "got a job". So I did. Then you have bills to pay, so you carry on working to do that. And the world changes around you, but you're not in that loop, you just plug on, like a good little soldier.

I do understand, many of my clients have been in the same situation. There are opportunities, you just need someone to guide you through the initial stages.

PasturesNew

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

As has been suggested on another thread, I think, your best bet is the OU. You don't need entry qualifications and can do an introduction to Maths unit, followed by a 2 year Diploma in Statistics, taking you a maximum of 3 years in total. (Assuming you don't want to do the full degree.)

If your household income is lowish you'll get your fees paid and, because it's by distance learning, there's no problems if you move.

Yes, OU it must be. But I wanted to "meet people" too, which I never did when I did the OU years ago. I've got half a degree from them. 160 points, some at year 3 level. I could just never afford to finish it and I was moving about (subject required equipment and internet and a TV/video back in the days when that was tricky to lug about/organise).

I would qualify under "low income" now though, so I should apply while I still do

Oldernotwiser

PasturesNew wrote: »

Yes, OU it must be. But I wanted to "meet people" too, which I never did when I did the OU years ago. I've got half a degree from them. 160 points, some at year 3 level. I could just never afford to finish it and I was moving about (subject required equipment and internet and a TV/video back in the days when that was tricky to lug about/organise).

I would qualify under "low income" now though, so I should apply while I still do

If you've already got 160 points, you're almost half way to a degree!

Evening classes aren't particularly sociable these days, they cost too much for people to want to waste time chatting.