Course Funding while on JSA

silly-girl_2

I'm currently claiming Job Seekers Allowance, I haven't been claiming for very long but I have been in and out of work over the last few years so have had to keep continually making claims... I have been working for employment agencies so have had to reclaim when no work is found. I've tried really hard to find permanent employment but it just never seems to come to fruition for me.

I'd like to go on a month-long course that would qualify me to teach English as a foreign language (ESOL), I have found a course offering this qualification at my local college, however, it does not offer any concessions. I asked at the job centre if they could provide any funding for the course (it costs £850) but was told because of cuts they would not help with funding. I didn't push the point with my advisor but since this conversation I have wondered if it really is the case that no funding can be granted.

I have gone ahead and applied to do the course and have an interview but I have no idea how I will pay for the course should I be offered a place.

Can anyone help and say if I should be entitled to help with the course fees from the job centre, please?

Strike

Have you spoken to the college about funding for low earners. Some have bursary/funds available depending on circumstances.

applecharlotte

understandably the jobcentre cant fund everyone who wants to do a course. the courses you mention - firstly teaching english as sa foreign language, this is usually for you to teach english abroad. if you cant afford the course can you afford to upsticks and go abroad to teach once youve done the course. you also mentioned ESOL whiich is totally different. This is english for speakers of other languages. which means it's for foreign speakers over here to learn english. if you arent even sure which course it is why should the jobcentre fund it.

saintjammyswine

JCP has what is called Advisor Discretionary Fund which can be used for many things including travel to interviews, training etc. This will usually run out very quickly so there may be none left at your local JCP office. Colleges can only offer concessions against course fees when the funding they receive from the Skills Funding Agency (government funding) allows so it is not always down to them. Speak to them about which funded courses you can go on but remember that if you are at college studying, this may affect your JSA as you are effectively not looking for work while you are at college.

Butti

I was told by someone running a job seeking course that if a course stood in the way of you getting work and not getting work the Job Centre could fund it. You have to push though and they don't have to give.

B

silly-girl_2

The course would qualify to teach English here or overseas, in this country it's usually known as ESOL but overseas has various different names EFL, TEFL and so on. I didn't write exactly what the course was as I didn't think it was relevant.

The course does not offer any concessions, I have already checked.

Thanks everyone who commented, from what I can gather from those who offered helpful comments, I shouldn't expect any funding then