Give up a small dream?

Is he physically fit? If so I would say screw applying for jobs and go straight to an agency - they will always give work to someone who can do warehouse/production/factory work. He doesn’t have to do it forever but he will feel better having a few months work under his belt and it will show employers he is willing to work

Don't give up on your dream@Notdoriangrey!

If you don't share finances why does he think you should fully support him now? And would he do the same for you?

Oh and I wouldn’t stand for someone telling me I’d be supporting him when his money ran out! Maybe he’s just being brusque because he’s frightened? You need to talk.
Edited to add: Definitely continue your course. Don’t give up the dream you deserve to achieve.

Are you absolutely sure he's not doing this to deliberately sabotage your plans? Or maybe even subconsciously?

I was a contractor for many years. When changes in the industry meant less work was available, I applied for (and got) a full time job with a firm I’d done contract work for.

Could DP try that, contacting firms on spec as well as answering job ads? I was well placed because they already knew my work.

What about widening his scope, to consider some of the many unskilled or low skilled jobs being advertised in the windows of shops, pubs, cafes etc everywhere at present? I think applications have a better chance of being accepted if you’re already working.

Careers advice is also a good idea.

Do you want to stay with him?
If you spilt can you still go ahead with your plans for the course/training/qualification?

Edit: also to say, for me, his refusal to acknowledge the issue and discuss it as a couple would be breaking point for me.

Split up and rent a smaller place on your own. He's not interested in contributing.

I empathise and no, yanbu

i once was in a similar situation. I still am to sone extent. I left a corporate well paid job to pursue a complete change in career direction. I had significant savings and we as a couple had money to pay for the deposit of a new house plus improvements. It wasn’t my house project so I was not super involved in planning yet I was funding the project (co funding)
anyway. LeavinG corporate job at same time as spending a whole lot of money: not recommended.
we went way way way over budget (I blame my husband’s planning capabilities, and my lack of involvement when such amounts were involved, but really it was his thing and he messed up)
for the first time in my life I felt destitute - my savings were entirely wiped and I had to borrow more money. I borderline had a panic attack- not sure how they feel but that’s the one time in my life I think I may have had one.

i vigorously applied for jobs and in 6 weeks got a good offer for same old type of job / the same day as I got the certification for my new career’s skill set

I was devastated. what should have been very successful day was a complete mindf$ck

i felt I had to give up on my dream To do the job I no longer wanted to do, so I could improve on my husband’s making of a terrible financial situation (ps we have 3 kids)

i was sobbing. it all felt so unfair

i turned Down the job so I kept onto my dream. We had to make significant adjustments budget wise but in the end I would have resented my husband if I’d taken the “old career” job. And we would have eventually split I think making the whole house not worth it, so it was dumb to even try and fund it if that makes sense?!

so my advice is think about the long term you and the long term impact on your couple

we are still not really financially sorted but I am glad I am doing the thing I wanted to. The house is not yet fully finished there are lots of decorating we need to still do and that we don’t have funds for - but I am doing something meaningful and my husband is bearing the brunt of the financial responsibilities - which is fair at this stage when I’d lined up all my ducks for him to shot them down as it were!

so adjust your budget, keep to your thing, and be together on this, it’s a team effort.
he can’t expect you to support him forever (unless there are structural reasons why he can’t find work?)

good luck

Do not give up doing your qualification. Can DP claim universal credit while job hunting?

can you afford to live in the home ?

or will you need to move if this situation splits you up ?

I would be surprised if he didn't find work in a supermarket. he may not want to work in a supermarket...

' I wonder if it's partly age, we are older but not at retirement. '

Supermarkets take on ' older ' people.

Are you prepared to let him live off you, and speak to you like that ?

you use the word partner, so you are not married ? and there are no children.

Is the home mortgaged ? paid off or rented ?

Can he go for a lower level of job then?

The fact he seems completely unwilling to speak to you/discuss this is of real concern OP. I wouldn't be able to live with that at all.

He needs to get work, any work. Stacking shelves, pulling pints.

Why has his business suddenly stopped making money?

Totally with @Wishimaywishimight - you shouldn't shoulder 100% of the burden.
I've been self-employed for >25 years - while the skills I use are pretty much the same, the sort of work/clients have changed. Would this apply to himj?
I did lots of voluntary work when I was out of work years ago (as @Riverlee suggests). It opened doors to organisations in which I wouldn't have stood a chance in securing a job the usual way.
Don't give up your dream.