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29th January 2009, 05:37 AM
I'm now long-term unemployed having only had 26 days digging work since the start of 08. My First Aid at Work runs out next month and I haven't got the ?100+ for the refresher course. I can't get any dole money because my partner works so I can't really afford the refresher course. But can I afford to let my FAAW certificate go? Should I try and get the cash together and do it, or is it really not going to make any difference to my employment prospects in the current climate?
Careful, it might be hallucinogEeEe**33nnnn..
Careful, it might be hallucinogEeEe**33nnnn..
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29th January 2009, 10:23 AM
Sorry to hear about your situation. Perhaps make some enquiries at the job centre - a FAAW refresher could be seen as training/maintaining skills? Perhaps another enquiry to St John's Ambulance?
Are there any other training opportunities at the Job Centre. Get in quick - there are likely to be more 'customers' soon...
All the best and good luck.
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29th January 2009, 11:51 AM
Tough situation, but not impossible. You can get training placements through the jobcentre - not great (?60/week, glorified secretarial work often), but they do allow you to keep busy and request training from the participating body. A friend recently did one with a university
?He who seeks vengeance must dig two graves: one for his enemy and one for himself?
Chinese Proverb
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29th January 2009, 01:42 PM
You could also consider a temporary career change until the current finacial situation hopefully gets better. I left archaeology and gained employement for a large civil engineering company and after only six months i have had more training and offers of external courses (H&S, CITB SMSTS etc) than i had in ten years as an archaeologist. Also you could volunteer for St Johns Ambulance and they will put you through your first aid training.
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29th January 2009, 02:09 PM
Cunning plan... and a good one...
?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake
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29th January 2009, 08:33 PM
As well as career changes look at career break and go for a vocational post-grad. There seems to be a few good grants out there. MA, PhD? Salve your soul with a bit of voluntary charity work? - just to keep busy. Looks good on a CV.
Had an ex-colleague in today who has been trying like hell for local re-employment. She dismissed my suggestion of Job Centre training opps. Sorry if I gave false optimism.
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30th January 2009, 04:46 PM
My partner got her first aid certificate while volunteering full time for the national Trust. She was able to sign on at the same time as well.
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4th February 2009, 01:57 PM
If you haven't made provision to renew your certificate I'd urge you to really try to scrape the money together to do so unless you've already found someone pay for it as time is short. It's not garanteed that a new employer will renew it for you just because you've been a First Aider X number of years. Having to pay for the full course again is a much worse option. Not only is it expensive but you lose nearly a week again and unscrupulous employers may make it difficult to take the time off. In the end having the valid certificate can make the difference between getting the next job or not, besides, I'm sure you'd like it for your own peace of mind.
