Funding, Grants, Help with Distance Learning Course

kellyaicken

Hi there,

I am currently a single mum, recently out of work as I have just moved county's (away from family) I have 2 school age children (one of whom is disabled). I have decided that at the age of 32, I would love to do a distance learning course and to gain some qualifications so that I am able to go out to work for myself. The cost of the courses that I would like to do amount to something in the region of £3,000. Does anybody know if I am entitled to receive help with payment of these courses, a grant or some kind of funding. I spoke to the company that I would like to do my course with and they told me to contact my local job centre, I spoke to Job centre, who were a bit vague, and said she did not think I could get help as they have made big cutbacks with funding. Was wondering if anybody had any experience of this, who to contact etc....thank you in advance.

Kelly

Zziggi

Are you able to post a bit more information about the type of course, at which institution etc etc? Then people might be able to give you a few pointers.

There's always the students board to post your query on too.

Oldernotwiser

Be very careful about doing a distance learning course at this price. £3,000 would almost cover the whole cost of an OU degree, except you might well not have to pay anything for the OU as there is financial help. There are some very dodgy courses around so be careful. Please give us more information so that we can help. I'm a Careers Adviser working with adults and I could point you in the direction of people with whom you could discuss your plans for retraining.

ukdickie31

Unfortunately, I doubt whether the JC will even consider funding the course. The JC+ have a limited budget and £3,000 is way way over the funding limits.

You may find options through the Bank (Career Develpment Loan) or perhaps through some organisations that work in partnership with the JC (Employment Zones, or similar depending where you live in the UK).

As previously stated, these courses are not always the best route to achieve your goals. They are expensive to say the least.

Get some careers advice and see what is out there for free, taster courses etc, before you consider spending £3,000.

kellyaicken

Thank you very much for all your advise, I want to do a Beauty Therapist, Reflexology, Chinese Massage and Accupressure, Nail technician, Homeopathy and Beauty Make-Up Professional courses. I had initally intended to go with BSY Group, but yesterday after a bit more research I found Stonebridge College, who offer a student programme where you pay £500 for 12 months and run 2 courses at the same time, and you are able to enrol on as many courses as you like in that 12 month period, so, you finish one course and start another, I estimate I can do 8 - 10 courses a year, so financially this is much more achievable. Thanks again everybody, your help is very much appreciated.

Oldernotwiser

Hi again

I really think that you should give this more thought. Stonebridge offers distance learning courses and what you want to study really needs the practical work to go with it. There's no point just getting a piece of paper if it's not recognised in the industry. If you contact your local college of further education you will probably find that they offer similar courses with a recognised qualification, backed up by practical experience in their training salon. Look at this way, would you want to pay out large sums of money for treatments like this from somebody who had learnt their skills from books?

If you are on benefits you may find that the local college is able to waive your fees. Alternatively, there's something called "the level 2 entitlement" whereby the government pays fees for your first level 2 qualification. You may find this website and its links useful for more information on beauty therapy as a career.
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/helpwithyourcareer/jobprofiles/profiles/profile104/

Good luck with your plans but think about this very carefully.