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Original poster

So upset about dp prospects

397 replies

Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 09:38

I don't know what I wish to achieve by posting here but I need it off my chest.
Dp came from another country several years ago and was granted work permission last year I helped him get work through an agency in a factory setting but it's only minimum wage and he has relatives back in his home country who are always looking towards him for financial help due to extremely low wages there.
Dp attended school in his home country but he left at age 14 to work and help his family who where quite poor.
Dp said there was no such thing as leaving school with grades etc and he was never able to release any potential.
What I've found is that dp is actually very clever and appears to pick things up very quickly and is very capable but we are stuck we can't afford training and he is working full-time so no time and I've helped apply for jobs but we are finding his cv is very tricky as hardly any work history here in the uk and no UK education.
He is never selected on any job application rejection after rejection and he is 46 now.
His current employer is so happy with him thinks he's great etc but it's minimum wage and he can't increase his income or learn new things. Please go easy on me I'm upset about this.

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5
PearTreeBoat · 05/10/2023 09:44

Is there any promotions or progression that your DP could aim for in his current role i.e. shift supervisor or similar?

Thingsthatgo · 05/10/2023 09:45

That does sound tough. Have you looked into online learning, for example maths and English GCSE would help as a starting point. From there he may be able to get a job with some vocational training included.

IslaWinds · 05/10/2023 09:52

Many countries have secondary school as a pass/fail with no grades. He should list his country’s high school diploma and put on his CV “equivalent to x GCSEs grade 5 and above” (as in a full pass).

If I were him I’d look to do some online UK certifications as these can be manageable. Sort of £400 or so. See what he’d liked to do, ie,
Health and Safety, https://www.nebosh.org.uk/qualifications/
or Facilities Management https://www.iwfm.org.uk/professional-development/qualifications.html

Once he gets ILR, he can apply for student finance if he wants to go to Uni on a course with a foundation year.

JustMarriedBecca · 05/10/2023 09:54

Local colleges often do GCSEs in a variety of subjects via adult learning. These courses are usually free if you are lower income.

Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 09:57

PearTreeBoat not sure he is employed through an agency so not sure how much they are willing to invest in him.
His colleagues are good to him and have him in high regard.
Problem as well is that the company are struggling as well

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Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 09:58

JustMarriedBecca
He isn't a candidate for subsidised courses or free courses due to his background.

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Mosaic123 · 05/10/2023 10:00

Is there anything he can do to be self employed?

Perhaps with another person he can learn from?

Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:00

We are not classed as low income either as I have a wage coming in as well just above minimum wage and he can't even take time off for training due to relatives back home needing financial assistance.

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LumpyPumpkin · 05/10/2023 10:01

Is he eligible for student finance? If so, he could look at doing an Open University degree in his spare time.

IslaWinds · 05/10/2023 10:02

Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:00

We are not classed as low income either as I have a wage coming in as well just above minimum wage and he can't even take time off for training due to relatives back home needing financial assistance.

The qualifications I have linked to are all online and you do in your spare time. The deadlines once you are start are generally based on spending 4hrs a week doing them. They are designed for people who already work FT and have DC/caring responsibilities.

Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:04

LumpyPumpkin
I doubt it tbh and he would never pay it off at age 46.

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Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:05

IslaWinds
Thank you I will look into that

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Squirrelsonthescaffolding · 05/10/2023 10:06

There are online courses through our local FE college that are free to everyone. Have you checked that he isn’t eligible for access to learning courses, agree that GCSEs English and Maths might be place to start. Maybe try and get NHS job, our local NHS trust supports people to get these qualifications and there are opportunities for progression.

Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:07

Mosaic123
Not sure as no recognised qualifications and he doesn't know anybody to work with

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parietal · 05/10/2023 10:08

This might need a long term plan. Something like

  • stick in current job for 1yr to build cv
  • do evening quals recommended by Isla
  • in 1-2yrs, look for new job that has promotion prospects. Some retail & cafe work is good for promotion from entry level to manager
  • in 3 yrs, earn enough for a bigger qualification,
Etc
talknomore · 05/10/2023 10:10

Age isn't a factor here. How is his English?
He should look into foundation degree.
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/applying-for-university/choosing-a-course/guide-to-qualifications#foundation-degree
There are Apprentenships he may be able to join. Then the employer pays for his studies and he can then have day off to attention University.

Guide to qualifications | Prospects.ac.uk

Discover the full range of undergraduate courses in the UK and explore where these qualifications might lead you.

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/applying-for-university/choosing-a-course/guide-to-qualifications#foundation-degree

Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:10

Squirrelsonthescaffolding
Thanks I'll have a look.
On a serious note our mental health is suffering due to all our problems the financial expectations from his home country him been stuck on minimum wage when he's capable of alot more etc etc.

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Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:12

And on top of all of this we have visa extensions to pay.

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talknomore · 05/10/2023 10:13

I think he may have to tell his relatives to stop asking for money. Thst money should be spent on him bettering himself. Eventually... 5-6 years down the line the same amount won't be an issue. He must have promised he would send help. He can apologise ad tell them to back off.

Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:14

talknomore
His English is good

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IslaWinds · 05/10/2023 10:14

I really do not think he needs to do GCSE maths or English. His country’s secondary school is the equivalent of GCSEs. He essentially already has them. He needs to just list on CV the blurb that what he has is his country’s equivalent to GCSEs. As it was pass/fail, that would be grade 5 and above. He counts up his subjects that he passed and that’s the number of GCSEs he lists.

If his country did grades and he graduated with a A- grade, then he’d put x GCSEs grade 7 and above.

Employers and recruiters do not know the equivalents to our GCSEs or A levels so you have to spell it out on your CV.

Besidetheriver · 05/10/2023 10:14

Op what is stopping you from getting a better paid job or more qualifications ?

IslaWinds · 05/10/2023 10:16

Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:10

Squirrelsonthescaffolding
Thanks I'll have a look.
On a serious note our mental health is suffering due to all our problems the financial expectations from his home country him been stuck on minimum wage when he's capable of alot more etc etc.

He does need to stop sending as much money home. He needs to set aside fees for certs and once he has ILR, he can get student finance. It doesn’t matter that he’d never pay it off, there are 60yr olds getting degrees. It’s more of a graduate tax than a loan for his age group.

Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:16

The relative problem is ongoing if he didn't send money they would be in dire straits they are so reliant on him and don't leave him alone.

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Original poster
Desperatetime · 05/10/2023 10:18

Besidetheriver
I know I've thought about it but I have numerous issues physically and mentally and try to do what I can.

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