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haydonwynter

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Have you applied for jobs in the care sector as this seems to be more what you want to do?

I just applied for a job as a project support worker for a charity working with vulnerable adults.

Savvy_Sue

You can boost your employability by doing some volunteering, especially if you want a career change.

And if you don't have any experience in that field, you might struggle to get work.

Google your local volunteer bureau and see what's out there, even volunteering your current skillset could lead to the kind of work you want to do longer term.

Kate78

PassedAtFailing wrote: »

Be proud of what you have. NVQ4 is degree level, anyone who thinks otherwise simply doesn't understand the system. This could be a fundamental probably for you, because believe it or not employers are as varied as every member here and we can clearly see some people don't realise NVQ4 is degree level.

For extra clarity, there are five levels of NVQ:

• NVQ 1 - Foundation Level,
  equivalent to 5 GCSE's grade D to E
• NVQ 2 - Intermediate level,
  equivalent to 5 GCSE's grade A to C
• NVQ 3 - Advanced level, equivalent to A Levels
• NVQ 4 - HNC / HND / Degree Level
• NVQ 5 - Degree / Post Graduate level

It's just the way the system works, degrees are more popular or at least more commonly understood than NVQs. However, it would be impossible to have a single name to push all the equivalent qualifications into. For example you have iGCSEs and GCSEs or GCEs for the (slightly) older members here! O-levels, A-levels and SQCs. The list could go on and on. Are they different? Well, of course they are. Is one worth more than the other? Not really. There's going to be a variable distribution and some of one will fall one side of that while some of the other will fall the opposite side.

Just to split hairs, Level 4 is degree level, but is not necessarily equivalent to a degree. In general, it is accepted that courses at level 4 or above are considered as Higher Education, rather than Further Education, which I think (?) is what the OP was getting at.

Most graduates would find it annoying for their 3/4 year degree to be considered the "equivalent" of a one year HNC course. The study may be at the same level, but not the same depth. Just saying.

horsechestnut

As Savvy Sue said, get into volunteering. If you want to work in the care sector you will need checks and the organisation may pay for this for you So when you are completing applications it is something extra to enhance your C.V..
I am now retired, but where I worked previously, we had several volunteers who were later employed.

flutterbyuk25

Another one who recommends volunteering.

I work in the charity sector and volunteered for almost 2 years before I got my job in the sector. I got my current job through a contact I made by volunteering.

In this type of sector it is a bit of 'who you know' but only because they tend to know you through reputation from work/volunteering that you have done rather than just because they know you as a person.

Networking is key. I am always networking, finding out what types of jobs other people do. Today I was on a course with 15 other people in the education sector, I spoke to all of them, swapped business cards and made notes on them (where they work/what they do/type of learner they work with). I'll use this if I need to refer my young people to their organisations, it also helps me learn about what types of jobs there are out there.

HTH and good luck

x

DogTailRed2

While networking, having a good cv, education, experience etc are all factors in getting a job in my opinion the biggest factor is luck.

I have 25 years experience, good cv, excellent references, wide range of skills. After 7 months and 300+ applications I've had 6 interviews and nothing positive.

My girlfriend on the other hand has less experience, a poorer cv but managed to get a job immediately after being made redundant a few weeks ago. She was just lucky that an exact job match near to where she used to work came up. They needed someone pronto. She filled the position exactly and they snapped her up.

The jobs I've applied for are only partial matches to my skill set and are massively over subscribed. I got an interview for one position and was told "Well done, your just 1 of 50 who got to interview out of 300 who applied" ! With those odds you don't have much chance. Incidentally the job went to an internal candidate who applied.

I would also praise Volunteering. I've worked voluntarily since February. It keeps the cv up to date, you make new friends and above all it keeps you sane!