Minimum wage is getting me down

[Mumofoneinamillion]

In 2003 I left a very well paid but stressful job as a Buyer to become a Carer for the elderly. I loved it for years and never regretted leaving and managed fine on the money as long as I did 40 hours +. However since then I met my husband, had my daughter and have only worked part time since. Without me really realising my pay has dropped 29% over the last 22 years and although my husband pays for nearly everything he does it begrudgingly now that our daughter is grown up. I feel so down as I'm now 56 and want to get back into a better paid job again. I looked into refreshing my admin skills as I would like to be an administrator in the NHS but the Pitman course was £2,650! I can't see a way out and my age is against me too. Any ideas how I can get out of the minimum wage rut I am currently in?

Have you had a look at the admin jobs available in the NHS OP to know if you actually need any up-skilling? I just had a quick search and there are a few vacancies NHS admin where I am, none of them would really require you to do any course beforehand, it’s basic things like being able to type, use basic systems, communication & organisation skills (so you could use your own work experience in examples), so you could absolutely apply if you want to. The only thing I would say is that all the ones I can see are £12.30 an hour, so not far off minimum wage if it is just more money you are after.

I think it’s often easier to move up in the job you are in, consider Admin / care coordinator jobs in care home or agency, possibly with the council, a friend became an assessor with the rehab team for example. Lots of courses online for Microsoft office training, customer services. As you are low waged you might qualify for a government funded course. I would say lots of jobs are just a little above min wage now but are physically easier so you can work more hours. Not quite the same but when I was a cleaner my hours were limited as physically exhausting. Now I’m behind a laptop at home I can happily churn out a ten hour day working from 8-8 with breaks and dog walks four days a week and a I’ve got lots of energy for the weekend.

Admin work is much less physical and more enjoyable so although it's not much more than minimum wage at least if I had a regular full-time job I would take home more pay. I have thought about a care co-ordinator role but to be honest I don't fancy it as they are forever oncall. Thank you for your suggestions it's given me some ideas to follow up on.