Training and JSA

Willem-de-Blois

I finished a six month contract that brought be to Bath last Friday and now I find myself on JSA and hopefully housing benefit in the UK's second most expensive city but which doesn't have the same job opportunities as London.

Now that it is the beginning of the academic year, I'd like to get on a reduced-fee college course in order to learn new skills and to improve my prospects. This morning at the Job Centre, I tried to ask about this but I am not due to speak to an advisor for two weeks, when most college courses will have started. So, I thought that I'd ask for advice here.

I come from a manufacturing and construction background which of course are two sectors that are hardest hit in a service economy in recession/ depression.

Because of this and because of my current location, I'd like to learn skills to patch up my lack of experience in the service/ hospitality and tourism sector. This would allow me to fall back into the service sector every time I lose my job in manufacturing or construction.

Does the job centre pay course fees?

I am thinking of a barman/ cocktail course with a private training company which has a record of getting students into higher paying positions on cruise liners, top hotels and nightclubs across the world. This would be something I could leave this country with.

Is it likely I could get funding/ a loan for this?

saintjammyswine

Speak to the local College about whether they have ESF Funding called Skills Support for the Unemployed. This can fund a variety of courses for people on JSA and other benefits as well as being linked to job seeking support. The JCP advisor may already know of this but it is a fairly new pot of funding.

Willem-de-Blois

Thanks. Will head over to the college now.