Can anyone please tell me if it is really worth my while continuing with my NVQ 2 teaching assistant course. I have been a volunteer at a school for over 5yrs and recently missed out on an interview for a job, the reason given was it was over applied for post by graduates and undergraduates and people with relevant experience!! the post I have since heard has gone to a unexperienced P.A (shock). I was under the impression all heads were encouraged to employ qualified staff these days, or was this an isolated case at this particular school. I really enjoy my work at school but I would be even more pleased to get paid for it, its a job I really enjoy, but at the moment I don't know whether its worth carrying on trying for.