How to fund re-training on a low income, newly unemployed?

norainbows

This is a LONG post, sorry. As much detail as possible.

I have been unemployed technically for 1 day although I haven't signed on so to speak. If I'm honest I really don't want to, I want to try and gain employment within a week. Wishful thinking maybe but I can be quite resourceful.

So here are the ramblings of my confused mind with the hope someone can guide me as what options there may be for me.

I'm a single parent but have always managed to find work for 16-20 hours a week. Most jobs are not (single) parent friendly with changing shifts days and hours making it very difficult to plan and get childcare to cover working hours, before and after school. What I've had to do is book whole of term (school) childcare to cover possibilities of changing shift patterns( they only allow whole term bookings which have to be paid in advance). However my previous job before this one kept putting me on early shifts starting at 6 or 7am which was nearly impossible to cover as I have only one friend for support, no other friends or family (I lost both my parents to cancer.) I was spending all my spare time trying to find childcare at short notice.

So I had to find another job at short notice because of the stress it was causing. I found an admin job which was supposed to be 3 months trial and after I was to go onto PAYE. During the trial period I was to be self employed. I didn't like this but I felt I had no choice so I accepted it as I gave me total flexibility of what days and times I worked to cover my 20 hours. However this saw me have a drop in benefits of £200 a month. After 3 months I started getting excuse after excuse about why there was a delay in going onto PAYE. I knew that the business was not doing as well as he wanted. Now after 5 months with 2 days notice the boss said he was shutting the shop and he was sorry, so here I am.

I'm registered as self employed at the moment and I am scouring every possible job site and local jobs for work however, as my child is still a dependent I have the same problem, finding (single parent) hours. So I am wanting to retrain in a skill that will allow me to work when I want and get off benefits completely. Herein lies the problem though as I don't have the funds on a low wage.

My question is: I am an older learner 50. Are there any Grants or loans that would be available to me in my situation. I have read about:
Professional and Career Development Loans
Advanced Learner Loans and I'm sure there are others out there but I'm so confused I don't know where to start or if I'm eligible.

Training will cost approximately £5k but it is an industry with good financial rewards if you master the craft.

I plan of gaining some type of employment asap even if it means temping, the thought of having to sign on is killing me. I've only ever been unemployed 1 day before.

Thank you for taking the time to read. My apologies for waffleing , I was just trying to give a more complete picture..

Marcon

You've clearly got an excellent work ethic, so are probably of the 'happy to give it a go (at least in the short term)' mentality?

Have you considered doing something like domestic cleaning or dog walking, both of which are burgeoning areas and better paid than many other jobs? Cleaning is particularly flexible in terms of when you work - and you don't need your own transport because the home owner provides all the tools of the trade.

Useful articles on grants etc:
https://www.fenews.co.uk/fevoices/15915-funding-options-for-those-wanting-to-gain-new-skills-or-change-career
https://www.gov.uk/grant-bursary-adult-learners

dawyldthing

Be careful about these training courses. £5k is a lot to stump up. Have you looked into care work? There's often calls for dinner rounds etc. We have a couple of parents that works the day shifts so it frees the rest of us up to be honest. Other thing is to carry on self employed - ironing, possible care, gardening, cleaning etc.

Tabbytabitha

What academic level would the course be and what qualifications do you have already?

norainbows

Marcon wrote: »

You've clearly got an excellent work ethic, so are probably of the 'happy to give it a go (at least in the short term)' mentality?

Have you considered doing something like domestic cleaning or dog walking, both of which are burgeoning areas and better paid than many other jobs? Cleaning is particularly flexible in terms of when you work - and you don't need your own transport because the home owner provides all the tools of the trade.

Useful articles on grants etc:
https://www.fenews.co.uk/fevoices/15915-funding-options-for-those-wanting-to-gain-new-skills-or-change-career
https://www.gov.uk/grant-bursary-adult-learners

Hi Marcon,

thank you for your reply. Yes I have considered these options, however I am now trying to plan long term. I came from a very poor family of non believers. What I mean by this is they did not help, encourage or motivate me to do or be anything with my life. In fact they took great pleasure in giving me one of the worst childhoods you could imagine. I have always been a fighter but have maybe lacked confidence in the past to believe I'm capable of great things (still). I have never let go of the dream to be really good at something. Having read many many books on self improvement to (a) try and understand why my parents did what they did so I could forgive them and move on (b) to believe in myself so I did not follow in their footsteps. I have a dog and I used to train them but I want more. I know dog walkers and trainers and I know the work and obstacles they face so I know it's not for me and my character. I would clean, it's not beneath me but I do not see it as something I can have passion and drive for. If I have to to get by though I will. :beer:

norainbows

dawyldthing wrote: »

Be careful about these training courses. £5k is a lot to stump up. Have you looked into care work? There's often calls for dinner rounds etc. We have a couple of parents that works the day shifts so it frees the rest of us up to be honest. Other thing is to carry on self employed - ironing, possible care, gardening, cleaning etc.

Hi dawyldthing,

It is something I have researched extensively through proper accredited channels to make sure I can get insurance while I'm training (the course is fairly short and intensive). Also to make sure I'm covered while I practice and work on my 'Case Studies'. These count towards my gaining the qualification in the field.

I research diligently and ask so many questions and cross check from so many angles I will only go with a reputable company associated with the qualifications I need to work worldwide within this specialist field. Practice is the key.

norainbows

Tabbytabitha wrote: »

What academic level would the course be and what qualifications do you have already?

Hi Tabbytabitha

It's in the beauty industry. Qualifications will be with both City & Guilds and VTCT.

I've always been one of those annoying people who is into detail. I have been aware of these treatments for years and have had a keen interest in them as they are not just for vanity, they can be life changing (confidence wise).

I have many qualifications in the fitness industry including the required ITEC Anatomy & Physiology but I need refreshing. It is also a required part of the course.

Les79

University not an option?

Someone I know, approaching 50, recently enrolled on a course (1st year, but foundation year is an option too) and they have only a few O'levels and basic certificates which count for little.

Ironically, it can be a bit of a dead end these days BUT the funding is fairly decent and lasts for a while.

norainbows

Les79 wrote: »

University not an option?

Someone I know, approaching 50, recently enrolled on a course (1st year, but foundation year is an option too) and they have only a few O'levels and basic certificates which count for little.

Ironically, it can be a bit of a dead end these days BUT the funding is fairly decent and lasts for a while.

Hi Les79

Thank you for replying. Committing to University as a single parent with no support structure would be very difficult indeed. I do not want to get knee high in debt if I can help it. The course for the profession I'm interested in is more hands on training along with the classroom based learning and it is something I am really interested in. It requires skill more than academic abilities, this is perfect for my character and personality, it's not a decision I've taken lightly. At 50 I know myself quite well as I should.

"Know Thyself" Socrates.... I love this. I have worked on this throughout my life and by now I feel I do.

I still don't know what possible finance or Grant options may be available to me?

theoretica

The only thing I can think of are these - if the course provider is on their list. https://www.gov.uk/career-development-loans

Marcon

norainbows wrote: »

Hi Tabbytabitha

It's in the beauty industry. Qualifications will be with both City & Guilds and VTCT.

https://www.cityandguildsgroup.com/bursaries