suggestions.

sniggings

Out of work at the min, I have no skills at all

Any suggestions on some training I could do that would lead to a half decent job, as it seems these days even for a min wage job you need 2 years experience and a car for most :mad:

I'm 40 so can't be going to Uni etc but maybe 1 or 2 years of training would get me a better job.

jayII

Depends what you call a half decent job.

What sort of things are you interested in and what would you really, really hate doing?

fleesaurus

Why can't you go to uni? If you have no skills, no car, and you're 40... honestly you won't be able to compete if you only go for some short course. If I'm you I'd go for a degree in computer science/physics or something like that.

sniggings

jayII wrote: »

Depends what you call a half decent job.

What sort of things are you interested in and what would you really, really hate doing?

Half decent to me is aiming for the average wage of about £35k, I can't think of much I would hate but I'm not very academic, hence why I've ruled Uni out apart from the age thing.

Being my own boss would be a dream.

sniggings

fleesaurus wrote: »

Why can't you go to uni? If you have no skills, no car, and you're 40... honestly you won't be able to compete if you only go for some short course. If I'm you I'd go for a degree in computer science/physics or something like that.

I can do the basic stuff on a PC, anything more and it goes over my head, I also feel that a degree can be useful but not many have a straight path to a job.

marybelle01

sniggings wrote: »

Half decent to me is aiming for the average wage of about £35k.

Are you joking? You are unemployed, have no skills, and would like a job paying £35k? Dream on. There is no short cut training course that will turn your current situation into a very well paid job. I suggest a life of crime.

getmore4less

What have you done for the last 20 years?

TheSandman

sniggings wrote: »

I can do the basic stuff on a PC, anything more and it goes over my head, I also feel that a degree can be useful but not many have a straight path to a job.

Not many have a straight path to a job because university prospectus' have been filled with artsy fartsy kak and sports/music/media studies.

Take something in engineering and there will be no such problems. And you know a basic degree only takes 3 years? You mention 1-2 years as if the extra year is somehow unfathomable?

From what I've gleened you have very little chance of a 35K job (average is 27K IIRC). It takes education or good experience to start earning at that level and good experience would allow to you to find another job no problem.

I think the best chance would be to look at what the police and fire service entry requirements are as age could be a factor. They'll both put you on a half decent salary and good overall package.

Retail would be another possibility. Join at the bottom of the heap but after a year or two usually they allow you to train to become a manager which sort of puts you at around 21-24K starting salary.

I don't think Maersk require formal qualifications to become a merchant seaman.

Overall I'd say you'll have quite a bit of research to do. Age is definately a limiting factor here, a company will have to give you considerable training for anything other than entry level roles and at 40 they'll probably not bother.

jc808

maybe learn a trade? a good tradesman in certain areas will earn 35k or over but they have to pay their own tax/van/tools/advertising/insurance

i think youre in cloud cuckoo land personally

Travelqueen

What have you been doing up until now?
The quickest route would be a trade, plumbing for example.
Sales is obviously an option if you have any experience or aptitude, but you'd be on a basic of a small amount with OTE.
Education isn't for everyone, but many higher paid jobs require a degree these days...
If you could come back with a bit more information about your experience to date for the last 20years or so that would probably help with suggestions!

bargainbetty

sniggings wrote: »

Out of work at the min, I have no skills at all

Any suggestions on some training I could do that would lead to a half decent job.

You have no skills and want to do something that will drop you straight into a £35k p.a. job? Good luck with that, the London average is lower and there are 50 graduates applying for every job.

List out your previous work history. Think about what you enjoy doing. See what jobs might fit your hopes, but be prepared to do stuff that doesn't fill you with joy to get off the dole as a starting point.

Do you like gardening? Could you apply for horticultural positions? Do you like people - look at Customer Services. If you like cars etc, approach garages for apprenticeships (although most go to youngsters, you can ask).

Go the job centre and ask for the Work Programme. If you have no skills, then the two week placements might help pad your CV a bit.