That I HAVE to do another qualification in order to keep my job.

[21stcenturyboy]

I’ve been in my job for nearly 30 years but despite the whole team knowing the job inside out we now have to sit a level 3 qualification in order to provide the service that we do.

Im 52 this year, haven’t properly studied for 30 years, menopausal, working full time, running a large house with an husband and 3 adult offspring at home and I’m TIRED.

this course requires 350 hours of study and a 3 hour exam at the end of it.

AIBU to be bloody annoyed about this? It’s not negotiable, we have to do it.

And due to being really busy in work all study will be done in our own time!! 😩

Well if you have to do it then surely your work has to provide study time to prepare for it?

Plus with ahusband and 3 adult children you shouldn't be doing all the housework whether or not youhave an exam to prepare for.

It depends what it is.

If it's something that largely accredits everyone to the most up to date standard in the field/means certain assumptions can be made that everyone has met a certain threshold, and most of the qualification is work-based and can be signed off in work time then Y(might)BU.

If it's something they're expecting you to study in your own time and isn't work-based then YANBU.

Sounds overwhelming. Sorry can't be more help.

You do have 4 other adults in the house so the load of running the house can be shared.

Have you asked if you'll be able to het some study leave?

Are you in a "profession"? Is it like CPD? We do that very frequently in our industry. It's great!

My friend is a TA and has been for 5 years but she has no GCSEs and they're making her do GCSE Maths and English to keep her job. She's happy to do what it takes!

I don't know, I love learning 😂

Yes, it means we can give advice in this field following a big change in legislation (don’t want to be too outing).

It’s just such a big ask, I’ve not formally studied for years and although the content isn’t especially difficult it’s just SO much to remember.

Theres no time in work to study, my 9-5 day is already manic and it’s all I can do to get through the day, get home after a fairly long commute, cook a meal, walk the dog and then it’s 8pm and I’m knackered.

a grown husband and three adult children? Why are you exhausted from running the household? Surely with five adults in the home it’s a shared thing.

but that aside, if it’s something set by a regulator or something then it’ll be for a purpose. Was this updated skills required? Or was it sprung on you suddenly? It really depends what it is.

Agree with second paragraph!

Level 3 qual really isn’t challenging, you’ll be able to do it.

Of course it’s a little annoying but on the other hand it’s good to keep up to date and have another string in your bow from time to time.

I'm more surprised that it's seemingly years since you did any CPD. Surely keeping up to date in your field is a normal requirement?

Perhaps if all of the employees have to do the course you could negotiate some level of study leave though.

I think I’d look to negotiate time in your working day to do this if at all feasible.

I'd expect 350 hours toil. It's bloody annoying but if their no way round it it's better just to get on with it.

As others have said, the other adults you live with will have to step up.

Oh sorry have just seen there’s no time at work. Maybe front load your day and get up early to study for an hour every morning? I think that’d be better than trying to do it in the evening. I used to write up work/assignments on my lunch hour which worked pretty well.

I don't see how a workplace can demand this, and yet give no study leave to complete this within. Are you a member of a union? I'd be raising this with them if so, or with ACAS if not.

Yes, it's a formal qualifications overkill bonanza. Ridiculous. At least you don't have to PAY for the completely unnecessary course as some do.

You are a fool for doing all the cooking, cleaning, dog walking etc with a husband and three adult children living at home. Do they do anything? Hand over the cooking and use the time to study.

Can you see if you can study it part time? If though it is directly related to your job and only level 3 then you might find that you know quite a lot of the material already anyway.

Ask your union about this. If this is a job requirement your employer has to allocate time for it. You cannot be expected to do the study in your own time. If not in a union, join one and seek support. Ultimately the new qualification will be of benefit to you, I'm sure you'll cope with the learning. The important thing is that your employer provides the study time.

One offspring can cook, one can walk the dog.

And the qualification does depend. Sometimes it's new legislation that can't be avoided.

Oh and agree they all need to pull their weight around the house. Presumably they all do their own laundry. Can they each cook a meal once a week? Maybe get them cleaning more.

Yes, of course you do. There may be legal requirements, your job is likely more complex than it was 30 years ago, there are new technologies/advances in science, etc. Would you want to be diagnosed by a doctor who last did any training 30 years ago?

This is also true - can you do it through an apprenticeship? They’re not just for young people? Your workplace should definitely be providing time for you to do it.

I dunno,... I mean, I hope they you good money! lol. Personally if I had to commit to a 3-hour exam and 350 hours of learning, like 50 is a lot, so you've to learn 7x that....

Ok, if you love your job....and it pays well.... do it.

If you hate your job and this is a requirement because you manager is a micromanaging arsehole, then tell them to stick it so far up, that the exam comes out their nostrils, and put the 350 hours into learning Cyber Security and upskilling and just run your contract down. :)

A SOC Analyst on a level 1 tier earns around $30-50k, so the commitment would be minimal compared to what you're already being asked to do. (And if you went the Pentester route, junior pentester starting salary if 65k :)

Hope this helps.
It's a buyers market I'm happy to say. F**k them. ;)

What level are you educated to now @21stcenturyboy and what happens if you do not pass? 30 years in the same job, where legislation is relevant, without learning would seem unusual to me. Level 3 is A level so maybe you already know so much of it or it won’t be as challenging as you fear?

I can’t see how your employer is not obliged to provide study time, what do your colleagues say about this?

Regarding your age and family dynamics why is it you who makes a meal and walks the dog after a long commute? Do you maybe need to step back and put yourself first, have you spoken to GP about menopause and tiredness?

I work in legislation, laws and regulations constantly change so I’m constantly learning and putting it into practice, but I would be fed up if I had to take a 3 hour exam. I could do it though as I’m up to date.

Is this a whole new area for you to learn?