OU and JSA

chyllyphylly

Just want to double check something...

If you are on JSA (which I have been for 5 years hence the need to retrain), does doing a course on the OU affect it? As you are still actively seeking work and free to attend interview etc?

Or am i stuck being an unskilled pleb with no future?

Dogger69

OU study does not affect your entitlement to JSA.

What is it you are looking to study, is it something that will increase your job prospects in the short term? If not, have you looked at anything that might bring more tangible results - a more practical course perhaps?

DomRavioli

OU doesn't affect your JSA - but pick your course very wisely. I'd suggest speaking to your regional centre, or the OU careers service, who know pathways into careers.

And you can now get a student loan on the equal terms with a full time student which is very handy for low income people.

podperson

It shouldn't affect your JSA entitlement, but since the above poster mentioned student loans watch for that as when I had to make a joint claim for JSA several years ago they took my partner's student loan into account as 'income'.

Treacle1983

My sister in law is on JSA and is doing a free course in IT skills which when she finished is the equivilent of an A level

Worth asking the job centre advisor as they may be able to sort you out some training for free

Lith

How the hell can someone be on JS for 5 years? HOLY !!!!!!! --.. sorry i had to say that lol, no jobs for 5 years?

Anyway why not take a course in some training or college ? then again depends how old you are.