Don’t let a lack of basic qualifications stand in your way. There are plenty of good resources available and they won’t necessarily cost you anything, either! There really is no excuse for not putting your best foot forward in life.
There are courses for everything: from basic literacy to A-levels in the sciences. You can learn a foreign language or a practical skill – the choice is yours.
Let’s look at what’s available and who qualifies for it.
Basic literacy and numeracy
If your skills in Maths or English need polishing then there is plenty of help around. You even get free access to a ‘Get On’ consultant (telephone 0800 66 0800 – 7 days a week).
GCSE’s and A-levels
If you left school without these, you could qualify for free Level Two or even Level Three education. Level Two is roughly equivalent to five top-end GCSE’s and Level 3 is about the same as two A-levels but you need to be under the age of 25 for the Level Three. Alternatively, you can choose to do a BTEC or NVQ (these are more practical work-related qualifications).
Other courses or if English is not your first language
There are a whole host of other free courses open to you if you are on Benefit or Financial Support. The bill is footed by the Skills Fund Agency and you can search to see the sort of thing that you might like on the official website – https://nextstep.direct.gov.uk
If you are receiving any of the following benefits, you should qualify:
- Council Tax Benefit
- Guaranteed Credit (ex Pension Credit)
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Working Tax Credit (if your gross household income is under £15,276)
… or if you are unemployed and depend financially on someone who receives one of the above.
Asylum seekers can also get free tuition in certain cases.
The BBC offer a multitude of free courses – both over the airwaves and online. You can get free help with a whole host of subjects from the BBC website – http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/
Don’t necessarily wait until you’ve passed a course to start job-hunting. Many employers will pick up the tab for employees engaged in basic learning or skills packages and who knows where that could lead?
Also, taking the initiative and getting off the couch and behind a desk /computer screen to do some serious learning is a big selling point to a company. Be prepared to flaunt it mercilessly, “Well, I’ve already started a course in … and I intend to …”, companies love stuff like that.
You are never too old or too set in your ways to learn. The old saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not accurate. OK, it may take a bit longer than when you were in school but perhaps when you were there you didn’t have the same motivation you do today.
Go for it!
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