To ask what you would do with £1000 for your own learning/development?

[ConsideringTheFuture]

OK so maybe not technically an AIBU...more a WWYD.

If you had £1000 to spend on yourself, with ANY training provider/Uni, on any course...what would you sign up for?

I have recently been given a grant by a training provider that is in partnership with my employer. There are absolutely no limits to what course it can be spent on, or with what provider, as long as I can show them that it will benefit me and assist in my own personal development.

It can totally cover the cost of a course of up to £1000, or be a part-payment towards a more expensive course, so long as I can afford to pay the remainder.

I've been looking at degrees on the Open Uni. Part time they take 6 years to complete and the average cost seems to be around the £1000 a year mark. So technically I could get the first year free and if I decide I like it could then continue.

Is it worth it though? What do you think of OU Degrees? Are they credible?

WWYD?

I would pay someone to sit with me and teach me how to use a smart phone, get the best out of my PC, digital camera and understand how SKY TV works. And Netflix. . And if there was any time left show my 80 year old mum how to use her ipad that she went out and bought 'because everyone has one these days' .

I'd either take an energy assessor course or the prince2 project management course.

I wish I got a grand for training, you're so lucky!

TSSDNCOP -

I think you might have hit upon something there though!

Any more thoughts Considering ?

As per my post yesterday I've got in touch with someone about an HGV license and tomorrow I'm going to look in to Hair/Beauty training and also ILEX.

I've got Prince2 and I'm a software engineer by trade so I'm pretty much OK with tech.

Colleagues of mine have done a bus driving course, cookery and funeral direction!

I did my HGV with tax overpayment, I earned a good wage . However it wasn't the best job in the world but there are plenty of driving jobs going. Am considering going back into it as the job market is so dire.

If it had to be professional I would do an SEO course. I definitely wouldn't do an OU course as I don't think people rate them.

For fun I would do a Leith's cookery course (short one) and a wine course.

What a brilliantly timed thread.

Today, I signed up to do an access course with a view to going to uni to do a degree in nursing. I've been a SAHM for the past 12 years so 2014 is going to be very different!

I've recently paid £35 for an online app creating course. It was on offer on Amazon Local. It's quite interesting so far and I'm thinking once I've completed it I'd like to pursue a more credible course on the same topic, if one exists...haven't checked yet.

Personally, I'd use it to do the Kew Diploma in Horticulture. There are no course fees but I'd need the £1000 towards childcare.

I have always fancied doing a proof reading course having been in book selling for years then a SAHM. I did do a couple of OU courses and doubled my salary simply having the qualifications- I went from book selling to community work. It wasn't for the money but was a welcome bonus! I chose to go back to work part time a few years later but back to book selling as it was easier to fit around the children at the time. So I think the OU can play an invaluable part in a career change. Community work is something i will definitely go back to when my last child is at school. But for now if I had the chance to study at something it would be proof reading children's books or indeed any books.

I'd go for German lessons. I've always wanted to do better at languages, but hearing has always let me down in a group situation.

DD is doing German at school, so if I took lessons as well, she'd have someone to practice with.

Personally I've always wanted to learn BSL and it would be useful at work. So I'd use it to get started with the basics.

Grumpyoldbat, you could probably do both level 1 and 2 BSL with £1000. Without it, ILA can be used to part fund it.

I'd like to do Level 6 - £1k would pay for about half.