Today was my day to sign on again. I went in thinking everything was hunky dory and that I'd be in and out there in a flash. Unfortunately, as we've all gathered by now, nothing is that simple where the DWP is involved. You all know that I decided to start doing my AAT. My reasons were three-fold: 1) It will improve my chances of gaining employment, 2) it's something I've been considering for sometime, and 3) it would stop me going stir crazy by sitting at home all day in front of various mind-numbing talk shows. We'll gloss over the fact that the college is also kicking off about my proof of JSA, but suffice it to say they've now decided the letter I gave them proves nothing bar a single payment. Luckily I got another letter confirming receipt of JSA so I've got to do that on Monday as well!! Anywho ......
Now, a fortnight ago when I signed on I mentioned to the lady I was speaking to that I had started doing this course and she gave me a form to complete, which I duly completed as far as it instructed me to. I dug out my learning agreement and took both in today because Lord knows I don't know what happens next – now I wish I hadn't said ANYTHING. This is the kicker. I ended up speaking to another woman today who had a quick look through the form and told me there was another bit I needed to fill in. Fair enough, I didn't think anything of it until I got to one particular question, and I quote: "Question 17 – Are you willing and able to take up employment immediately if it is offered? Yes or No. If No Please state how quickly you can give up the course to take up employment."
Now, I realise now that I didn't necessarily read this question properly the first time, so asked her if I had to give up the course if I was offered employment, but rather than talk me through the bastard thing as you'd expect her to be meant to, after asking me how long the course was, (and I'm guessing, without reading the answers I had put in already and mentioning that I'd missed one out!!) and me explaining to her that it was a course I need to do to get employed, she just said "Yes. JSA won't pay for someone just to do a course. Now it'd be different if it were for four or five weeks, we may be able to come to some arrangement, but because it's a year ……" Now is it just me or are these people paid to actually help people out?? I explained to her it was part-time one afternoon a week but she wasn't budging from her DWP rhetoric – sticking to the script and then just making me an appointment to talk to an adviser. I think because I said it was a year long course that she assumed it was full time, but it isn't and that is stated on the form.
The system is run like a conveyor belt, one in for ten minutes then gone. So I came out of there pissed off beyond all measure – I could have understood it if it had been a pottery course, or watercolour painting, or flower arranging. It strikes me as funny that they will willingly pay for someone to do fuck-all all day, every day, forever and a day, but the minute someone says they're trying to do something that will help them to find work that they'd be happy doing instead of taking ANYTHING to placate the Job Centre, and then winding up back on the dole a few weeks later because they're not suited for what they've taken on, that it's a completely different attitude.
Try to help yourself and you're buggered. Do nothing to help yourself, claim all kinds of benefits which you duly spend on fags or down the bookies, and they keep handing the money over it seems.
I was right before. The system is …… Shit!!!
Tuesday 25 September 2007
Wednesday 12 September 2007
Further Adventures In Job Hunting: The First Day Of School
Well, Monday was my first day back at school – or rather college!! I was a little bit apprehensive – I mean who wouldn't be after not having set foot in a classroom in any way, shape, form or capacity for nine years – uni doesn't count because they didn't look like classrooms and you had lectures rather than lessons – it's a thin line but it's still a line!! Lol!!
I had to stop at the Adult Education Centre on the way to pay my exam fee for the Sage course – unfortunately the DWP won't pay it for me so I've had to cough up the grand total of £45 and change, but that's by-the-by. That took longer than expected because the woman I needed to see was on the phone – that'll learn me to not make appointments to let them know I'd be coming!! Lol!! As soon as that was paid I had to head on to college – Christ it sounds weird saying that!! I thought my days of education were way behind me – especially when it came to training for my working life – the odd 'fun' course -- y'know the ones, pottery, painting with watercolours, creative writing -- I would probably have found myself doing at 50 is a different matter, but a course with actual textbooks?!?!? I felt about 16 again!!
I got to the college at about 12.15 because I had in my mind that it didn't kick off until 12.30, but I'm jumping ahead of myself here. Before I hit the classroom I had to finish my enrolment for the course. Those of you that have read the last blog know there was a problem with evidence of JSA – it didn't get any better. I'd had a letter the day after the original enrolment date telling them about some backdated benefit and phoned the college to see if that was evidence enough. I explained that the letter had my address, the processing centres address, my NI number, bank details and enough detail (I thought!!) for them to accept it as evidence and the woman I spoke to said it was fine. Well, I got there and handed it over to what turned out to be a proper jobsworth type, who was about to kick off as it only mentioned the backdated JSA. I explained that and told her I'd been told that this letter was OK and she begrudgingly accepted it. By-the-by I got another letter from the DWP this morning explaining the arrangements for my JSA from now until whenever so that would've been handy on Monday!! Anyway, as I was saying, I gave her this letter and she did what she needed to do with it and gave me back my copy of the enrolment form – she actually wanted to keep this letter and seemed surprised when asking if I wanted a copy (bear in mind this is evidentiary material that the DWP have sent out to me to record an unusual sum of money they've paid me!!) and I asked for the original back!! Methinks she thought because I'm on benefit that I don't know a thing or two – at least I know first hand that the stigma of being on benefit isn't imaginary. Maybe after this I'll have a bit more compassion for those who are on it because how do I know what their situation is?? Although, if we're talking about those who take advantage because they reckon they're better off out of work than in it, I reserve the right to change my mind. I'm already sick of people looking down their nose at me because OBVIOUSLY I'm a lazy bitch who doesn't want to work!! Ooops. Bit of a tangent there …… back to the story ……
With enrolment done she was all set to just send me on my merry way with no indication of where I was supposed to be going. She was just about ready to turf me unceremoniously out on my arse to fend for myself, so I quickly piped up "Where do I go now??" and with a definite air of annoyance she said "Go to reception and ask them. They'll tell you where to go" Gee thanks, that's nice of you to deign to freely share that bit of information with me – note the sarcasm!! On my way out I had a quick look at the form and found out he'd put a 12pm start on it …… I was sure he'd said 12.30 on the phone …… and it said 1pm on the leaflet …… now I was confuzzled. The lass at reception was much nicer, even if she was run off her feet, and directed me upstairs to the classroom. I spent the walk to the room thinking "Wow, you're making a fantastic impression here, Hannah!! Half an hour late on your first day!! Well done!! Have a chocolate biscuit!!" and trying to think of some excuse for my tardiness – should I blame traffic or errands that ran late or should I just bite the bullet and admit to my belief that the class didn't start until 12.30. I was still trying to find the excuse when I got the room. There were a few other people in there, but no sign of the tutor so I breathed a huge sigh of relief and walked in. They'd been there since noon by all accounts and were already well into the bonding part of the experience. I secreted myself at the end of the first row of desks thinking "What the fuck am I doing here?!?!?" I really wanted to turn around and go home again. The experience with the bitch downstairs had put me right off already and I hadn't been there 2 minutes!! When I was there the first time around 11 years ago they were much nicer. Maybe she's a new person?? Maybe she's been jaded by mid-teens with bad attitudes or benefit people who want to do anything but work?? Or maybe she was just a bitch …… I couldn't decide.
Of course as per usual, with an unfamiliar situation, I closed down and got all introverted. I know you're all thinking "No way" – well let me tell you something, if I'm in a group I don't know at all I get horribly introverted, withdraw into my own little world and over think why I'm where I am and whether I've done the right thing. It takes me a few weeks to settle in and then I tend to turn into the person you all know and sometimes love!! ;) It didn't help that all these people I was in the room with were getting along like they were friends from way back, but I just wasn't comfortable. Not one of them said a word to me which made my introversion all the worse. I was feeling isolated already and wondered if I could hack that for a year or more. I sat there playing with my pen and looking around this classroom, reading and re-reading the various notices and posters on the walls, wishing I was at home watching Springer and contemplating the long night I had ahead of me. It had been different back in the day – I'd hooked up with 3 other prospective loners on day one and all was good with the world for the 2 years we spent there. Right now I was just hoping for a friendly face and coming up empty.
The tutor appeared at 1pm. There was a disagreement between him and some of the learners (we're not students anymore – we're learners …… scruffy learner types …… doesn't have quite the same ring does it!! ;)) about the start time he'd put down on these forms. I wasn't getting involved. I had my form with me and knew EXACTLY what he'd put but I'm not going to kick off on day 1 about something so frigging stupid. All the middle-aged women talking to him like they were trying to start an argument with their husbands …… I mean …… The afternoon turned out to be nothing more than an orientation-style session. We had learning agreements to sign, more forms to fill in, student cards to be produced (I had to have my picture taken and I didn't have my slap on?!?!? Thankfully my skin's cleared up a bit since I finished work – probably because my stress level has dropped dramatically, so the pic wasn't all that bad. I just look a bit pinker than usual!! Lol!!), a quick guided tour and general overview of the course and staff. The overview got me even more down. For an AAT you have to produce a portfolio which includes providing evidence of your current working status/position in your organisation. I have no status or position and began wondering whether I was just wasting my time. There was also a lot of mention of people coming direct from work to college, etc. which also sent a pang of guilt down my spine. I was sat there thinking that they all knew and were judging me the same way The Bitch probably had. I survived it and it was all done and dusted by 3.45 so I got to go home and relax a bit before Round 2 kicked off. I was already exhausted and was struggling not to nod off while I watched some trashy chat shows and Judge Judy.
The Sage session went better. They were more inclusive from the get-go. Maybe it's because I was one of the early ones, or just because it was a seemingly, older, more informal group – more 'Adult' than 'School' and no matter how much they say you'll be treated as adult learners at the college, in an environment where the majority of students are 16 to 19, there will be a certain bleed over in their approach to teaching these different groups. But I took my seat and people were talking to me straight off. One of them introduced herself to me and we had a bit of a laugh, and it was just, well, BETTER. The atmosphere was lighter. The College classroom had been mainly comprised of people more my own age with the competitiveness that inherently bred, the Adult Education class was mainly older ladies, who were more than likely just there to get the piece of paper to prove they could actually do what they could already do. The feeling was less academic and more relaxed. I was enjoying it more. At the moment the course seems to be a piece of piss – I say 'at the moment' because it is only Week 1. The stuff I did in the class on Monday was mainly data entry, but it's familiarising myself with and gaining valuable experience of the program which is what I need more than anything else.
I spent a lot of time yesterday thinking about the whole experience of Monday. I came to the conclusion that as far as the AAT goes I'm going to be keeping myself to myself. It's just an expectation I have, but that suits me fine. My study buddy will be at home ...... Mum's doing the same AAT course but elsewhere!! She's doing the "At your own pace" version. I'm going to be screwed if there's any type of group work that needs doing in the classroom, but I've worked on a supposedly group project on my own before and there's no reason why I can't do it again!! I'm not going to jack it in. I can't. I hate to say it, but if I stand a chance of getting better offers and interviews than Accounts Assistant, Purchase Ledger Clerk or Data Entry Clerk at £13000 per annum, it's something I have to do. I may have a piece of paper which says I have a degree in BS (that's Business Studies not Bullshit, although I'm sure I'd sail through that one considering the amount of shit I spout sometimes!! ;)) but that's not what they're asking for so I NEED to do it. It's the same with Sage. Very few people have heard of the system we used at Spencer, and Sage is the common thread that runs through many of the adverts so I need to do that one too if I want to get a job no matter how quick a study I am. The less training a prospective employer has to provide the happier they are …… end of!!
So that's the tale of my first return to education. I'm going to see how they go and decide later if I want to do the final level of the 2 courses. They won't do me any harm but it all depends how I get on with them and where I feel I'm at 10 or 12 months from now. We'll see how it pans out ……
H.
xx
I had to stop at the Adult Education Centre on the way to pay my exam fee for the Sage course – unfortunately the DWP won't pay it for me so I've had to cough up the grand total of £45 and change, but that's by-the-by. That took longer than expected because the woman I needed to see was on the phone – that'll learn me to not make appointments to let them know I'd be coming!! Lol!! As soon as that was paid I had to head on to college – Christ it sounds weird saying that!! I thought my days of education were way behind me – especially when it came to training for my working life – the odd 'fun' course -- y'know the ones, pottery, painting with watercolours, creative writing -- I would probably have found myself doing at 50 is a different matter, but a course with actual textbooks?!?!? I felt about 16 again!!
I got to the college at about 12.15 because I had in my mind that it didn't kick off until 12.30, but I'm jumping ahead of myself here. Before I hit the classroom I had to finish my enrolment for the course. Those of you that have read the last blog know there was a problem with evidence of JSA – it didn't get any better. I'd had a letter the day after the original enrolment date telling them about some backdated benefit and phoned the college to see if that was evidence enough. I explained that the letter had my address, the processing centres address, my NI number, bank details and enough detail (I thought!!) for them to accept it as evidence and the woman I spoke to said it was fine. Well, I got there and handed it over to what turned out to be a proper jobsworth type, who was about to kick off as it only mentioned the backdated JSA. I explained that and told her I'd been told that this letter was OK and she begrudgingly accepted it. By-the-by I got another letter from the DWP this morning explaining the arrangements for my JSA from now until whenever so that would've been handy on Monday!! Anyway, as I was saying, I gave her this letter and she did what she needed to do with it and gave me back my copy of the enrolment form – she actually wanted to keep this letter and seemed surprised when asking if I wanted a copy (bear in mind this is evidentiary material that the DWP have sent out to me to record an unusual sum of money they've paid me!!) and I asked for the original back!! Methinks she thought because I'm on benefit that I don't know a thing or two – at least I know first hand that the stigma of being on benefit isn't imaginary. Maybe after this I'll have a bit more compassion for those who are on it because how do I know what their situation is?? Although, if we're talking about those who take advantage because they reckon they're better off out of work than in it, I reserve the right to change my mind. I'm already sick of people looking down their nose at me because OBVIOUSLY I'm a lazy bitch who doesn't want to work!! Ooops. Bit of a tangent there …… back to the story ……
With enrolment done she was all set to just send me on my merry way with no indication of where I was supposed to be going. She was just about ready to turf me unceremoniously out on my arse to fend for myself, so I quickly piped up "Where do I go now??" and with a definite air of annoyance she said "Go to reception and ask them. They'll tell you where to go" Gee thanks, that's nice of you to deign to freely share that bit of information with me – note the sarcasm!! On my way out I had a quick look at the form and found out he'd put a 12pm start on it …… I was sure he'd said 12.30 on the phone …… and it said 1pm on the leaflet …… now I was confuzzled. The lass at reception was much nicer, even if she was run off her feet, and directed me upstairs to the classroom. I spent the walk to the room thinking "Wow, you're making a fantastic impression here, Hannah!! Half an hour late on your first day!! Well done!! Have a chocolate biscuit!!" and trying to think of some excuse for my tardiness – should I blame traffic or errands that ran late or should I just bite the bullet and admit to my belief that the class didn't start until 12.30. I was still trying to find the excuse when I got the room. There were a few other people in there, but no sign of the tutor so I breathed a huge sigh of relief and walked in. They'd been there since noon by all accounts and were already well into the bonding part of the experience. I secreted myself at the end of the first row of desks thinking "What the fuck am I doing here?!?!?" I really wanted to turn around and go home again. The experience with the bitch downstairs had put me right off already and I hadn't been there 2 minutes!! When I was there the first time around 11 years ago they were much nicer. Maybe she's a new person?? Maybe she's been jaded by mid-teens with bad attitudes or benefit people who want to do anything but work?? Or maybe she was just a bitch …… I couldn't decide.
Of course as per usual, with an unfamiliar situation, I closed down and got all introverted. I know you're all thinking "No way" – well let me tell you something, if I'm in a group I don't know at all I get horribly introverted, withdraw into my own little world and over think why I'm where I am and whether I've done the right thing. It takes me a few weeks to settle in and then I tend to turn into the person you all know and sometimes love!! ;) It didn't help that all these people I was in the room with were getting along like they were friends from way back, but I just wasn't comfortable. Not one of them said a word to me which made my introversion all the worse. I was feeling isolated already and wondered if I could hack that for a year or more. I sat there playing with my pen and looking around this classroom, reading and re-reading the various notices and posters on the walls, wishing I was at home watching Springer and contemplating the long night I had ahead of me. It had been different back in the day – I'd hooked up with 3 other prospective loners on day one and all was good with the world for the 2 years we spent there. Right now I was just hoping for a friendly face and coming up empty.
The tutor appeared at 1pm. There was a disagreement between him and some of the learners (we're not students anymore – we're learners …… scruffy learner types …… doesn't have quite the same ring does it!! ;)) about the start time he'd put down on these forms. I wasn't getting involved. I had my form with me and knew EXACTLY what he'd put but I'm not going to kick off on day 1 about something so frigging stupid. All the middle-aged women talking to him like they were trying to start an argument with their husbands …… I mean …… The afternoon turned out to be nothing more than an orientation-style session. We had learning agreements to sign, more forms to fill in, student cards to be produced (I had to have my picture taken and I didn't have my slap on?!?!? Thankfully my skin's cleared up a bit since I finished work – probably because my stress level has dropped dramatically, so the pic wasn't all that bad. I just look a bit pinker than usual!! Lol!!), a quick guided tour and general overview of the course and staff. The overview got me even more down. For an AAT you have to produce a portfolio which includes providing evidence of your current working status/position in your organisation. I have no status or position and began wondering whether I was just wasting my time. There was also a lot of mention of people coming direct from work to college, etc. which also sent a pang of guilt down my spine. I was sat there thinking that they all knew and were judging me the same way The Bitch probably had. I survived it and it was all done and dusted by 3.45 so I got to go home and relax a bit before Round 2 kicked off. I was already exhausted and was struggling not to nod off while I watched some trashy chat shows and Judge Judy.
The Sage session went better. They were more inclusive from the get-go. Maybe it's because I was one of the early ones, or just because it was a seemingly, older, more informal group – more 'Adult' than 'School' and no matter how much they say you'll be treated as adult learners at the college, in an environment where the majority of students are 16 to 19, there will be a certain bleed over in their approach to teaching these different groups. But I took my seat and people were talking to me straight off. One of them introduced herself to me and we had a bit of a laugh, and it was just, well, BETTER. The atmosphere was lighter. The College classroom had been mainly comprised of people more my own age with the competitiveness that inherently bred, the Adult Education class was mainly older ladies, who were more than likely just there to get the piece of paper to prove they could actually do what they could already do. The feeling was less academic and more relaxed. I was enjoying it more. At the moment the course seems to be a piece of piss – I say 'at the moment' because it is only Week 1. The stuff I did in the class on Monday was mainly data entry, but it's familiarising myself with and gaining valuable experience of the program which is what I need more than anything else.
I spent a lot of time yesterday thinking about the whole experience of Monday. I came to the conclusion that as far as the AAT goes I'm going to be keeping myself to myself. It's just an expectation I have, but that suits me fine. My study buddy will be at home ...... Mum's doing the same AAT course but elsewhere!! She's doing the "At your own pace" version. I'm going to be screwed if there's any type of group work that needs doing in the classroom, but I've worked on a supposedly group project on my own before and there's no reason why I can't do it again!! I'm not going to jack it in. I can't. I hate to say it, but if I stand a chance of getting better offers and interviews than Accounts Assistant, Purchase Ledger Clerk or Data Entry Clerk at £13000 per annum, it's something I have to do. I may have a piece of paper which says I have a degree in BS (that's Business Studies not Bullshit, although I'm sure I'd sail through that one considering the amount of shit I spout sometimes!! ;)) but that's not what they're asking for so I NEED to do it. It's the same with Sage. Very few people have heard of the system we used at Spencer, and Sage is the common thread that runs through many of the adverts so I need to do that one too if I want to get a job no matter how quick a study I am. The less training a prospective employer has to provide the happier they are …… end of!!
So that's the tale of my first return to education. I'm going to see how they go and decide later if I want to do the final level of the 2 courses. They won't do me any harm but it all depends how I get on with them and where I feel I'm at 10 or 12 months from now. We'll see how it pans out ……
H.
xx
Thursday 6 September 2007
Further Adventures In Job-Hunting: Why Is Nothing Ever Simple??
Why does it seem to be the aim of some people to make life difficult for others? Today was the day I went to enrol at the local college to do my AAT and henceforth be known, according to some anyway, as a scruffy student type!!! ;)
So all is going well. I'd stopped in at the solicitor on the way to complete the paperwork for Spencer so I can get some money out of them – it'll tide me over for a bit at least – and then went onto the college to, erm, enlist in the AAT – well it sounds like you're enlisting you have to admit – it sounds a bit like a branch of the TA!!! All was going well. I'd spoken to the lecturer the day before so he was half expecting me, and I think he was kind of glad as I was an easy one because I'd phoned him up for the info before rather than waiting until I got there, so he had at least one enrolment when all he needed to do was fill in a form instead of spending nigh on an hour trying to explain about the course to prospective students!! Lol!! He did his thing with my form and asked me to fill in the rest – y'know, the usual stuff. Qualifications, personal details and that – and go see the customer services people who, as I was hoping to get a nil fee due to my current scrounging status, wouldn't be taking any money off me. This is where it came unstuck.
I'd bought everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, I had pertaining to my unemployed status, including my little green stamped-with-my-Job-Centre-Plus'-address book to try, it turns out in vain, to convince them that I was getting JSA. You would have thought this would have been enough, but I was told that I needed an actual letter with my job centre's address on to prove that I was on benefit …… bear in mind, my little green book is an official DWP document which says when I am supposed to go into the office and sign on, and where the office is. So now I have to phone the benefit office in Hull tomorrow to get a letter saying I'm entitled and hope I can get it in to them at the college before the course starts on Monday as all this means I'm not properly enrolled yet. So I now have to waste another afternoon and petrol I can ill afford to sort this out. All of this because the Job Centre had to send a form out to Spencer for pay details because I was still waiting to receive my payslip when I first went in. I have a manual claim, which apparently means that the usual letters aren't sent out?!?!?
The thing that annoys me is that my little green book was enough for the adult education bods, but not for the college. I don't think she even looked at the bastard thing!!!! It's all right there!! I also got the distinct impression that their demeanour changed as soon as I said I'm on JSA …… nice!!!
By the way, I will say a big thank you to those who are currently working and paying for me to go to college!! ;)
Monday 3 September 2007
Further Adventures In Job Hunting: Hannah Learns A Lesson
Well, when I say 'learn a lesson', what I REALLY mean is I've decided to go back into education part-time. It means my Monday nights are going to be VERY busy but needs must ……
I've noticed while looking at job opportunities in the Accounts field that there are two requirements that seem to be fairly across the board – an AAT qualification and knowledge of Sage Line 50. Now, although I went to college and uni, and have been working in Accounts for a while now, I still don't have the 2 pieces of paper that people seem to want from me in order to employ me. So that's what I've decided to do.
I've been half heartedly looking at the AAT for a while but what was putting me off was (a) that I, personally, couldn't afford it, and (b) I didn't want to ask work to pay for it for me as it meant I would be locked into a contract with them for an extra 12-months, which meant that if a job came up that was better than what I already had, I either couldn't apply for it, or if I did and got the job I would need to find the £375 for it anyway to pay them back. Now, I have the time, and because the fees will be paid for me as I'm unemployed, I can do it. It'll look good on my CV, it shows that I'm willing to work and am trying to progress (rather than my CV and I both implying "I'd fill in where I was needed and hope I got more training") and I'll find that more opportunities will be open to me. It means I'll be at college on a Monday from 12.30 – 6.30pm …… it also means I'll be back to doing homework again!!! Lol!!
The other course I've been looking at is a Sage book-keeping course. It's an adult education course. I think it may cover pretty much the same as the AAT, but the Sage course, although including an element of manual working, I think, will concentrate more on the software itself, which will be handy. The AAT, as far as I can tell from my Mum having done it, will be more manual theory and practice. Again, the Sage opportunities will be open for me if I complete it and the lady who'll be training me seems very nice. Therefore I'll be driving into Barton and going to the Adult Education centre at Providence House (better known as the Library!!!) from 7 – 9pm …… on a Monday night …… Mondays are going to be REALLY busy!!! Lol!! I think it'll be a chippy tea every Monday for 6-months!!!
As far as the job hunt itself goes, it's kind of stalled at the mo', simply because I've been looking into these courses …… but I think it still counts as job hunting because it means I'm working to get back into work, but not just by applying for anything going …… I think what spurred me on was that agency person last week implying I may have been setting my sights too high for the Trainee (note the word 'Trainee'!!!) Assistant Management Accountant job. I mean, I know they need to advise you as best they can, but turning round and saying "well, there are people with Accountancy degrees who can't get the jobs!!" doesn't exactly fill you with confidence – difference between the degree and the courses I've chosen?? Not as much practical experience with the former from what I can gather!!!
Now I think I may have a look and see about picking a course for fun …… get me eh?? Student!! Lol!!!
H.
xx
I've noticed while looking at job opportunities in the Accounts field that there are two requirements that seem to be fairly across the board – an AAT qualification and knowledge of Sage Line 50. Now, although I went to college and uni, and have been working in Accounts for a while now, I still don't have the 2 pieces of paper that people seem to want from me in order to employ me. So that's what I've decided to do.
I've been half heartedly looking at the AAT for a while but what was putting me off was (a) that I, personally, couldn't afford it, and (b) I didn't want to ask work to pay for it for me as it meant I would be locked into a contract with them for an extra 12-months, which meant that if a job came up that was better than what I already had, I either couldn't apply for it, or if I did and got the job I would need to find the £375 for it anyway to pay them back. Now, I have the time, and because the fees will be paid for me as I'm unemployed, I can do it. It'll look good on my CV, it shows that I'm willing to work and am trying to progress (rather than my CV and I both implying "I'd fill in where I was needed and hope I got more training") and I'll find that more opportunities will be open to me. It means I'll be at college on a Monday from 12.30 – 6.30pm …… it also means I'll be back to doing homework again!!! Lol!!
The other course I've been looking at is a Sage book-keeping course. It's an adult education course. I think it may cover pretty much the same as the AAT, but the Sage course, although including an element of manual working, I think, will concentrate more on the software itself, which will be handy. The AAT, as far as I can tell from my Mum having done it, will be more manual theory and practice. Again, the Sage opportunities will be open for me if I complete it and the lady who'll be training me seems very nice. Therefore I'll be driving into Barton and going to the Adult Education centre at Providence House (better known as the Library!!!) from 7 – 9pm …… on a Monday night …… Mondays are going to be REALLY busy!!! Lol!! I think it'll be a chippy tea every Monday for 6-months!!!
As far as the job hunt itself goes, it's kind of stalled at the mo', simply because I've been looking into these courses …… but I think it still counts as job hunting because it means I'm working to get back into work, but not just by applying for anything going …… I think what spurred me on was that agency person last week implying I may have been setting my sights too high for the Trainee (note the word 'Trainee'!!!) Assistant Management Accountant job. I mean, I know they need to advise you as best they can, but turning round and saying "well, there are people with Accountancy degrees who can't get the jobs!!" doesn't exactly fill you with confidence – difference between the degree and the courses I've chosen?? Not as much practical experience with the former from what I can gather!!!
Now I think I may have a look and see about picking a course for fun …… get me eh?? Student!! Lol!!!
H.
xx
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