Skills for life

olb81

I have seen this gov advert on bus stops.
Had a look and doesn't look all that great.
I am looking for a course in software or cyber security.
As an adult 40s age group.
Currently in a full time job earning about 27k.
Should I investigate this or do a paid for course such as pitman training?

elsien

A bit of background, for context and to save repetition. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6645300/adult-part-time-training#latest

Skills for life is usually for younger people, but all the relevant information is on the gov.uk website if you do a relevant search. 

olb81

"Skills for life is usually for younger people,"
The advertisement on the bus stops says
"It's never too late"

Grumpy_chap

Skills for life is usually for people that never achieved GCSE A-C in English and Maths.
Probably not software and cyber security.
The only way to know for sue is to enquire at the local College and understand what prospectus they are offering.

SiliconChip

Have you done any research into the job prospects in the areas you are interested in? Most employers want their inexperienced recruits to be educated to degree level these days, it's not like it was when I started my IT career. I was recruited as a graduate onto a 12 week training scheme as an employee but the same training was provided to people funded by the government who would then have opportunities to find entry level jobs elsewhere in the industry - those opportunities really don't exist any more. 

monkey-fingers

SiliconChip said:

Have you done any research into the job prospects in the areas you are interested in? Most employers want their inexperienced recruits to be educated to degree level these days, it's not like it was when I started my IT career. I was recruited as a graduate onto a 12 week training scheme as an employee but the same training was provided to people funded by the government who would then have opportunities to find entry level jobs elsewhere in the industry - those opportunities really don't exist any more. 

In the last few years, I've taken on a dozen L3 and 4 apprentices in IT. No degree needed.
All companies have to pay the apprentice levy, so they might as well take some on and claim the money back, whilst actually getting some people that want to learn.

SiliconChip

monkey-fingers said:

SiliconChip said:

Have you done any research into the job prospects in the areas you are interested in? Most employers want their inexperienced recruits to be educated to degree level these days, it's not like it was when I started my IT career. I was recruited as a graduate onto a 12 week training scheme as an employee but the same training was provided to people funded by the government who would then have opportunities to find entry level jobs elsewhere in the industry - those opportunities really don't exist any more. 

In the last few years, I've taken on a dozen L3 and 4 apprentices in IT. No degree needed.
All companies have to pay the apprentice levy, so they might as well take some on and claim the money back, whilst actually getting some people that want to learn.

I'm glad to hear it, some of the best IT people I worked with weren't degree educated and some of them started as 16 year olds straight from school - the best ever had been a carpet fitter before he got into IT, although I don't know quite what route he took to get there. However, Skills for Life is an entry level qualification, 3 or 4 levels below where you are recruiting, so the OP may need to set his sights a bit higher.

monkey-fingers

SiliconChip said:

monkey-fingers said:

SiliconChip said:

Have you done any research into the job prospects in the areas you are interested in? Most employers want their inexperienced recruits to be educated to degree level these days, it's not like it was when I started my IT career. I was recruited as a graduate onto a 12 week training scheme as an employee but the same training was provided to people funded by the government who would then have opportunities to find entry level jobs elsewhere in the industry - those opportunities really don't exist any more. 

In the last few years, I've taken on a dozen L3 and 4 apprentices in IT. No degree needed.
All companies have to pay the apprentice levy, so they might as well take some on and claim the money back, whilst actually getting some people that want to learn.

I'm glad to hear it, some of the best IT people I worked with weren't degree educated and some of them started as 16 year olds straight from school - the best ever had been a carpet fitter before he got into IT, although I don't know quite what route he took to get there. However, Skills for Life is an entry level qualification, 3 or 4 levels below where you are recruiting, so the OP may need to set his sights a bit higher.

I think one of the most interesting ones I ever worked with was ex-RAF mechanic, then a bus driver for 20 years and joined us in his 50s on the Service Desk. Worked his way up rather quickly tbf.