dark teatimeof the soul & all that - bit of a moan really - sorry

[rubysmum]

this is a bit of a tragic moan really - but iv'e noticed tht others have got lots of really good suport when they've asked - so here goes - i'm in the horrible situation of having 25 years work experience in my field [basically youth & community work] but no qualifications - i went frelance about 7 years ago as i was struggling to find work at relevant grades - this has gone realy well until this year when funding has dried up everywhere - so i'm now trying to find a full time job befioe my savings run out & am geting nowhere - anothe rinterview today when the job was given to an early 20s graduate - the whole hoss thing desnt elp of course cos i have 2 dependant hosses & high costs - everyone has said sell the hosses & i know its good advice but it breaks my heart - i'm not in a position 2 gt a prof qualiication cos i'm a singleparent of small child with no partner & mortgage & all that - a well meaning friend suggested that i start doing cleaning for people - im not knocking cleaner - but i cant believe that at nearly 50 this is all i can do - thank u for the space to moan:mad: :( :( :(

[cvb]

rubysmum, is there a relevent professional body, as some times they have a "portfolio" route rather than exams etc ? (i.e. proof of competency through practice).

What references do you supply when you apply for stuff ?

[Tots N Dots]

I dont know alot about this kind of thing, but I do know that I have childminded for a lady, a single parent, who has just done a degree, while supported by funding from the government.

there will be people out there that prefer experience to qualifications, honest! its a very bad time of year

get through Christmas, and re-evaluate.

not trying to be personal but as a self employed person you are claiming the working families tax credit aren't you?

could you go to a local advice centre and find out exactly what you are entitled to for you and the little one, just in case there is anything you may have just missed?

[jinglejoys]

Personally I'd rather have someone with 25yrs experiance than a Newbe with a flashy certificate anyway but then I'm old fashioned

[kianjoseph]

Why don't you do an NVQ in youth an community work? You can do that at the same time as working. You could even do agency work while you get the qualification. Or some local authorities, for example Leeds, (admitedly don't know about Leicester) offer traineeships, whereby students are paid a full time wage whilst they are supported to study for a Degree in Social Work.

Good luck. :)

[Faerie Rider]

Hi there Rubysmum

Can't help much with advice..but wanted you to know that there are people that understand and take one step at the time. Sit back enjoy Christmas with your little one and start the new year with fresh eyes and a fresh heart.

Lol and best wishes for Christmas
FR
x

[loulou1972]

rubysmum

get in touch with the government body who organizes the qualifications in your field.Tell them that you have been doing this job for how ever long and then as if they any sort of experience counts sections, when i started doing my accounting exams because i have worked in accounts for 15 years it is counted as a big part of my exams and so can jump quite a few sections etc.
They maybe able to get you a grant or funding to complete any exams in quick fast time because of the experience you have.

Main thing is do not give up, but regarding the horse perhaps put them out to part loan and share the costs until you can do it on your own.

If all else fails and sell your body that works ;)

chin up there will be a way :D

[Portia]

In my field employers certainly give credit to those with life skills -'experiential learning' I believe is the PC phrase. Have you considered undertaking a teaching certificate, or a city and guilds course to enable you to teach adults? You already have the hands on experience required, and many of these courses can be done on a part time basis or possibly be seconded by an employer. Also consider the Open University (for which you might well get a grant of some sort), it has opened doors for many in such a situation as yourself, and - being self directed learning - course work can be done around your lifestyle. Dependent on what course you take, and what experience/work you've done, you should almost certainly get some credit points for it.

DON'T DESPAIR!! In the new year take charge of this, get careers advice, decide what you want to do and go for it. Good Luck!

[Libbyo]

Personally I'd rather have someone with 25yrs experiance than a Newbe with a flashy certificate anyway but then I'm old fashioned

Id 100% agree with thisd coment. Not old fashioned, realistic. Those bits of paper fade before the skills learnt in training are tried out!

Libbyo :)

[NSCHMIDT]

Hi Rubymum
You mentioned being a cleaner, a few yeras ago my sister-in-law started to do some cleaning, to pick up a few dollars. She now owns her own business and she is cleaning up quite nicely. good luck to you

[Cheko]

I'm a 'professional' as well but I'd go out cleaning if it meant keeping Falcon or having to sell him.

[cazrider]

Hey Ruby'smum, chin up.:) This is from someone who is on her second career, third if you include seven years out to bring up my two daughters, and the same age as you. There is ALWAYS something out there if you look in the right place. NSCHMIDT is right, I also know of someone who started back as a cleaner, then started her own cleaning business and now employs lots of people, and cleans up for housebuilders once their houses are finished, and also has the contracts for several private schools.

Sounds like you have lots of relevant experience in your field, and experience in running your own business. Why not find a symathetic friend of like mind, and have a brainstorming session, looking at your strengths and what is out there. You may be surprised what you find.

For a practical suggestion, I'd take your date of birth and/or age off your CV, noone's business but yours, and remove any dates from qualifications. Drop any early work unless it is really relevant, any time off work for having kids, and thereby revamp your CV. In these days of age discrimination law, there's absolutely no need to give away what's not asked for. You are not deceiving anyone and not lying. I did this when I went for my current job. To give the company I work for credit, they've never asked for my age and I've never told them. They took me purely on merit. So there are companies out there who think like that. You just need to find the right thing. It is out there.

The horse thing is tricky. I have just one, and I really don't know how you guys with two manage. I did for a very short while and it nearly killed me. If this is a cr@p idea (and I admit I'm not exactly sure what your horse situation is), please shut me up, but is it worth thinking about sharing one or other of them temporarily, just to take a bit of the pressure off?

Best of luck. Do pm me if you want a rant. :D

[coverblown]

dear Ruby

This is such a distressing tale - from being able to make ends meet until the funding for learning oppos dried up.

I wor for a national organisation - actually based near you - which is promoting learning and training for all adults and is very concerned about cessation of such funding sources.

We are an advocacy organisation and may be able to help.

In any case we can talk, if you want of course. Please pm me if you wish.

Take great care
Anne x.

[Roheryn]

Hi, Ruby,

I don't have any advice to offer but I do have plenty of sympathy as I am in very nearly the same situation as you (I don't own the horse I ride). I find I am not only competing with younger people for jobs but am being interviewed by younger people--it seems both the applicants and the interviewers are all so young!
I second the advice of those who say relax over Christmas and try to enjoy the holiday and start again in the New Year.
I do wish you all the best in your job search and with your horses, and a restful holiday.

[rohan]

Us mo mature ladies are not been given the chances we so richly deserve. after alll you cant raise a child run a house manave finances for all these years with out learning something here at 45 I am un mployable. my experience is outdated and like you having worked unpaid with horses for almout 30 years I could,nt get a job as i have no qualifications and my spelling is bad. Try and keep your hopes up everyons allowed to have a mone and here you know you have a lot of support in though if not in deed. have a happy christmas

[Miriam]

I've recently just gone through all this after splitting up with my other half last Jan and like some of you have said about qualifications know that My secretarial qualifications would be outdated. its computers now where they were just bringing in electronic typewriters.


I have my 13yr old daughter living with me. What I'd advice is firstly to seek help from you local DSS. if your a single parent the help you can recieve will be given through a lone parent adviser. it was my lone parent adviser that told me of the free courses in my area and I recently qualified as a Nursery Nurse. Since this I've gained or at least hope to gain Counsilling level1, drug awarenss and a possible Children with Specific Needs which will be a bonus as when I took the course we did not know if it could be approved but there are rumours that it may be. You can if gaining Income support (not sure about Jobseekers allowence) you can attend college on a full time basis and get IS + 15pounds. The place I attend is called Womens Bridge (going back in Jan) Check and see if there is one in your area


Also speak to you local CAB who can check that your getting what money is due to you.

[rubysmum]

just\wanted to thank everyone who took the time to read & respond to my moan - am currently having a lovely xmas & hope you are all too - or solstice/belated hannukah or eraly new year - im sure that 2007 will be soooo much happier that 2006
thanks again

[Afellpony]

I've worked all my life and not had kids - and still may be unemployable. I've got to leave where I work at the moment, as I have a disability which causes me not to be able to do my job properly any more. So I shall have to be leaving there in a few months time.

[lizzy]

Rubysmum, I sympathise with you, my job is also about to come to an end, although my boss says that there will be work for me afterwards, I can't see where, and think that they are just saying that because they don't want me to walk out on the job before the end. I'm hoping that Tesco's will take me on at 49 and like you no formal qualifications, just done clerical work all my life.

[Afellpony]

It is said that one door closes and another one opens. Well, hope that'll be the same for me and anyone else here who's job is coming to an end or is having to leave their job. I dont think I'll be asked to leave before April as there are a number of things that have to be sorted by the union and management before I go.

[loopyh]

Hi Rubysmum I don't know much about the social work side of things especially qualifications but I would suggest that you speak to a careers office or learn direct someone like that. Have a look at your options - it is possible to do a training course and work. I was a full time secretary and gave it up to go back to college four years ago - I'm now in my third year of my degree and hoping to go teacher training next year. I'm also 35 now with a 13 year old daughter. There are student loans/grants etc plus housing benefit and other benefits of that kind available - citizens advice would help with that side of things. I also managed to work 16 hours a week so claimed working tax credit. I'm not saying full time education is right for you but it won't do any harm to look into your options. Just remember that because you are a single parent it doesn't mean you don't have options - I've done it (Almost) and I have many friends in similar situations. If you want any more help just ask - I have all sorts of information I could pass on.

[hannah:)]

Hi Rubysmum, like cazrider said, have you considered getting a sharer for the horses to help out with the bills? Leicester Uni has a riding club so maybe you could get a student that knows how to ride but can't afford a horse of their own to contribute a bit.

Good luck, fingers crossed for you