College course fees

JamesWMH

Hi,

I graduated from university in July 2011 and have been unemployed ever since. I've had an average of 1 interview a month since, but no job, and I only ever hear back from about 1 in 30 jobs I apply for anyway.

I was wondering whether I could do a college course for free (currently claiming income based JSA) in computer hardware, there are not many companies in my area looking for my type of degree (Materials Engineering) but there are plenty of opportunities for IT professionals, and I've got a bit of experience from building my own PC's etc.

Would the Job Centre fund a course like this? The course would give me some qualifications, as well as prepare me for the CompTIA A+ exam, which I could do straight afterwards (provided I can afford the fees to take the exams).

Anyone got any experience of this type of thing?

Here's a link to the course: Here

Thanks,

saintjammyswine

The likely answer I am afraid is no. JCP may some budget left in their Advisor Discretionary Fund (ADF) but they would probably not fund this course as you already have a degree. Same with Colleges as you would not come under the funding rules, depsite being on JSA.

BiscuitCrumb

I would recommend taking the details of the course and speaking to your adviser. The jobcentre would be looking at a kind of business case from you......ie, if you did this course, what jobs would you now be able to apply for (and realistically have a chance of getting) and evidence of the number of job opportunities out there.

If appropriate, the next step would be the offer going out to tender: DWP link for suppliers who wish to bid on one-off training: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/opportunities-to-tender/low-value-welfare-to-work.shtml

This would be the procedure for help with training costs; if they agree to help it does not work in the same way as helping you with travel to interview costs etc., suppliers will bid on providing the training and would be paid direct if successful.