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.

Oh and I do get the point about remembering, the brain fog of menopause, have you asked what you can take into the exam, notes, references, more time, short breaks etc?

I'm surprised you're listing the husband and 3 adult children as an extra burden that makes doing the work more difficult - surely it's the opposite because they can help take the load off at home?

It shouldn't always be you cooking and dog walking after a FT job and a long commute.

Yes I would be annoyed.

Do you enjoy your job?

If yes, try and see this as a positive thing.

If no, then maybe it’s time for a change.

How old are you?
If you have adult children are you close to retirement age?
If so then I’d stick it out.

I would be asking if you can have some time during working hours to help you get it done though.

I can sympathise with the dread of having to do some formal studying after so long but really the other adults in your house need to step up.

Why is the cooking and dog walking left to you after your long commute? I don't know why you're putting up with that or even allowed it happen at all.

This.

This is normal in many industries, my mum eventually quit late 50's because she was fed up with 3 yearly exams, but I realise it's to protect the public etc.

The other 4 adults i your house will have to pull their weight won't they?

Level 3 shouldn't be taxing for someone already working in the field of study. I mean that as encouragement rather than trying to be goady BTW.

It’s not really that your work are forcing you to do it, the legislation has changed so you are required to do it. So if you got another job you would still be required to do it? Would you be able to move into a different field/change career now?

Is the 350 hours over 6 months or a year? If it’s 6 months that’s 13 hours a week which is a lot. When I did my professional qualification I studied 3 hours 4 nights a week and a full day on Saturday which was a lot even with a household of 1 (me!!).

I think it’s very normal to have to study outside of work hours. I have never known anyone allowed to study during work hours!

How long is the course? On a purely practical level, is it even possible to study 350 hours while working full time and also sleeping?!

If it's a year long course that's 6.7 hours a week which I don't think is reasonable for an employer to expect you to do in your free time. If it's three years then it's probably easier to fit into working hours with a small amount of study in your free time.

I'd be meeting with my colleagues and agreeing what we collectively want to request for study leave. If it's a two year course I'd be asking for half a day a week and a full day a week if it's a year long course. If you ask as a group you'll probably have more luck and I find the confidence of not asking on my own helps! Hopefully you have a union who can provide advice.

It's th eyounger staff members that have most cause to complain about this. The ones with young children, or even school age.
There are five adults in your home. You should be able to do absolutely nothing with regard to domestic chores. The house could be run completely by the remaining four.

Now those with toddlers, babies, or primary school aged kids... I honestly can;t imagine how they're feeling right now.

Having said that, I'd be very pissed off that it all has to be one in unpaid time. I'd defintiely be contacting my union.

yes, you can be annoyed BUT if you are giving advice on something underpinned by legislation, your employer is at major risk of staff haven’t been trained properly. I would have thought that training was an ongoing requirement. I worked in government and you’d be surprised by how many times information was given that was coloured by the belief of the individual! Your employer should give you study time as professional development
As to the home front. There are 4 other adults. They should already be doing their part t home. It’s part of adulthood.

NHS?

I feel your pain. I'm 61 and have to do an msc to keep my job and do it in my own time although they pay for it. I already work 6 days a week. I'm knackered and the msc is the last straw.

There are 5 adults living in your house, why aren't they cooking, cleaning and walking the dog? Are they all of reduced capacity in some way?

My DH is in a similar position. After 15 years in the business the govt has decided he (and everyone else) MUST have a degree. He's got to study 8 uni level courses of stuff he knows already, in time he doesn't have, by a two year deadline. We have primary aged children, too. And little free time.

We're looking on the the positive side, though. He'll have a degree level qualification without the massive debt (his boss is paying) & in an industry which will open more doors if he wants out of that job in future, or can't stay where he is. He's late 40's but this actually makes it more important as it's tough competing against younger candidates, who his boss loves (cost less).

Sounds stressful but will it lead to a transferable qualification? I agree with asking for study leave!

I’m a junior doctor so have done a lot of exams that I’ve had to pay for to advance. But I did have some study leave, a lot was done in my own time. But I knew that when I signed up so there’s the difference!

I think I’d be inclined to give it a go. If you pass it, great, was worth it to keep your job. If you fail, you’ll know this wasn’t really for you. But you won’t know till you try! Good luck

also could someone else walk the dog and cook dinner to gove you some time to study? Or you could get in those ‘cook’ ready meals for a week? They arnt cheap but not much work required

350 hours is a big ask.
What accommodation is being made for you being menopausal? Seriously, learning is so much harder for menopausal women, you may well need more than the average time to learn and digest the materials. This should come out of work time, but we all know you'll have to cut into your own time. If it's online learning, can you block sessions into your diary?
If you are not given any work time to do it in, you'll have to make sure you don't get involved in unpaid overtime, your free time will be extra precious .

It sounds like a lot of hours right now, but I normally find that the number of study hours for courses are vastly over estimated. Also, if it’s a qualification based on what you do already for the last 30 years, I’d be surprised if you needed to study much at all.

I agree that your work should allow you some in work study leave, as they’re asking you to complete it, and agree with PP that you shouldn’t be carrying the burden of everything at home - this isn’t setting your adult children up for success in looking after their own household in the future.

possibly a way of pushing out older workers in favor of newer recently educated younger employees with lower starting wages/vacation packages/pensions.

My dh got half a day study time plus half a day to attend a weekly lecture. He did do some additional work in the evening usually once a week.

Are you an estate agent OP?

Surely the study will not take you as long because as you said you know your job.

There's 4 adults in your house, who should all be expected (and want to) step up to give you time to complete this!