Get some decent GCSEs

barnaby-bear

The biggest thing a lot of people can do to improve their income, is to access all those jobs that require a grade C in maths and English. If you missed the grades first time round it's worth another shot, people who failed their driving test are usually willing to try again.

A GCSE at evening class will cost you far less than learning to drive. You can fit it in around full time work.

Here's such a course: £100 for a maths GCSE
http://www.oldham.ac.uk/courses/514

Far better and cheaper than those expensive day time ad. courses in 'Interior Design'. There are a lot of expensive 'courses' that will supposedly help you get a job in 'IT', most courses with qualification most people haven't heard of are making the course providers rich.

dmg24

Excellent advice. Spot on. It is a pity that many sixteen year olds do not realise this.

barnaby-bear

dmg24 wrote: »

Excellent advice. Spot on. It is a pity that many sixteen year olds do not realise this.

I sometimes wonder if we are scrabbling around the edges, quidco free money from clicks can add up but perhaps investing £100 and that time in a GCSE could lead to a job that earns that money back very quickly and more and allows you a foot in the door of big companies with career ladders. Many big companies have minimal qualification levels for entry.

Elliesmum

As an adult they can do the Adult Numeracy and Adult Literacy National tests instead which is much more relevant to adults rather than GCSE's. They run a Level 1 which is equal to a lower grade GCSE or Level 2 which is equal to a higher grade GCSE and they cost nothing.

They are fully funded by the Government as they are wishing to raise the nations literacy and numeracy levels to Level 2 if possible. If you do not have a GCSE in these subject they are free regardless of who you are.

Contact Learn Direct - they will advise you which training agencies are available in your area who can provide this training. It can be done online and you do not have to go to college to study - which puts a lot of adults off.

Courses can be done in 10 weeks - rather than a GCSE that can take all year.

For adults - this really is the better, cheaper and quicker option.

EM xx

barnaby-bear

dmg24 wrote: »

Excellent advice. Spot on. It is a pity that many sixteen year olds do not realise this.

There are many on these forums who were rubbish with money at 16 and in the past, we don't turn around and say ooh well you messed up then so carry on nothing can change, you can't learn.... these are adult courses if someone didn't realise it at 16 it's a shame but what's more of a pity is that many who could achieve this don't consider it is an option; a basic barrier to many jobs is seen as a one-shot opportunity. People who fail their driving test first time usually resit and aren't excluded from jobs including driving.

barnaby-bear

Elliesmum wrote: »

As an adult they can do the Adult Numeracy and Adult Literacy National tests instead which is much more relevant to adults rather than GCSE's. They run a Level 1 which is equal to a lower grade GCSE or Level 2 which is equal to a higher grade GCSE and they cost nothing.

They are fully funded by the Government as they are wishing to raise the nations literacy and numeracy levels to Level 2 if possible. If you do not have a GCSE in these subject they are free regardless of who you are.

Contact Learn Direct - they will advise you which training agencies are available in your area who can provide this training. It can be done online and you do not have to go to college to study - which puts a lot of adults off.

Courses can be done in 10 weeks - rather than a GCSE that can take all year.

For adults - this really is the better, cheaper and quicker option.

EM xx

Easier and cheaper. But compared to learning to drive a GCSE is very cheap. I would argue not better, often very appropriate as a precursor.

Fundamentally this is about increasing income and many companies and jobs want those benchmark GCSE grades not adult literacy and maths. Yes they take longer and require more self study.

*I'm sometimes a maths tutor...

r.a.i.n.b.o.w

I don't understand the need for decent GCSEs if you're over 21. I got crap grades in the 2 GCSEs I sat, then went back to do 2 different ones and got good grades and have NEVER used them nor have I been asked for them (I'm 35).

NVQs, GNVQs etc are better IMHO and much more well rounded than a single GCSE subject.

Elliesmum

barnaby-bear wrote: »

Easier and cheaper. But compared to learning to drive a GCSE is very cheap. I would argue not better, often very appropriate as a precursor.

Fundamentally this is about increasing income and many companies and jobs want those benchmark GCSE grades not adult literacy and maths. Yes they take longer and require more self study.

*I'm sometimes a maths tutor...

I did not say they were easier. I said they were quicker - companies and jobs that require GCSE's will and do accept these qualifications as an equal to a GCSE and I am a maths tutor - it is my job. I teach in 2 different colleges both on the Adult - Work Based Learning side and the 16-19's who leave school with little and no qualifications.

GCSE's are a good qualification to achieve I am not denying that - but I am also saying they are not the be all and end all for qualifications at Level 1/2. There are alternatives and for many adults these are better, more suited, more attainable and FUNDED than GCSE's.

Employers' are also finding that the adult numeracy and literacy courses are more relevant to their own businesses and they would then prefer their adult employees to have these qualifications to support their NVQ's.

EM xx

Elliesmum

r.a.i.n.b.o.w wrote: »

I don't understand the need for decent GCSEs if you're over 21. I got crap grades in the 2 GCSEs I sat, then went back to do 2 different ones and got good grades and have NEVER used them nor have I been asked for them (I'm 35).

NVQs, GNVQs etc are better IMHO and much more well rounded than a single GCSE subject.

And rainbow - you would be right. GCSE's are not for everyone and many companies do not ask for them. But may (and many do) ask for level 1/2 qualifications to enable their employees gain their NVQ's.

EM xx

jamesfinch

Did my GCSEs a couple of years ago now, if you can't get a C in Maths just by reading through a revision guide you are really wasting your time in any job that asks for it.

Save the £100, grab a revision guide and read it through a couple of times.

freebie_junkie

Elliesmum wrote: »

As an adult they can do the Adult Numeracy and Adult Literacy National tests instead which is much more relevant to adults rather than GCSE's. They run a Level 1 which is equal to a lower grade GCSE or Level 2 which is equal to a higher grade GCSE and they cost nothing.

They are fully funded by the Government as they are wishing to raise the nations literacy and numeracy levels to Level 2 if possible. If you do not have a GCSE in these subject they are free regardless of who you are.

Contact Learn Direct - they will advise you which training agencies are available in your area who can provide this training. It can be done online and you do not have to go to college to study - which puts a lot of adults off.

Courses can be done in 10 weeks - rather than a GCSE that can take all year.

For adults - this really is the better, cheaper and quicker option.

EM xx

I second this as this is what I'm currently learning how to teach! Skills For Life covers Adult Literacy, Adult Numeracy and ESOL. There are 5 levels, from Entry Level 1 to Level 2 which is equivalent to a C at GCSE. You can do these is numerous locations, not just colleges and there are programmes at various different times and days. The curriculum is geared towards how you can use your new skills in your everyday life and is wholly geared at adults, their lives and interests.