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Further education

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Is my mum right or should I pursue something that I adore?

12 replies

Kyle19 · 07/08/2020 18:22

Last September I began I traineeship, which meant going to college one day a week to study Functional Skills Maths and English and undergo training for things like First Aid, Fire Safety, Customer Service etc. I did this instead of a childcare course as I would've had to pass GCSE Maths and English to go any further than Level 2, so it's good I dropped it as I just about scraped past my English and I'm waiting on my Maths results. I went to work placement at a pre-school three days a week, and the manager originally said that once I had my Functional Skills Maths and English she would employ me as an apprentice. As a result of coronavirus, she recently told me that she simply cannot afford to employ me until January at the earliest. So I'm going back to college next month to do a
B-TECH course in Business Administration just to keep me occupied until I am offered the apprenticeship, which my mum originally liked the idea of until I was offered a 9-5 job at a pallet factory. The manager of the factory took me on a tour of the place and it's clearly a very physical job and I don't think it's something I will enjoy. The only thing motivating me to do it is the money. My Mum seems to have her heart set on me taking it permanently as she says it's an opportunity I won't get often. I don’t care how long it takes, I’ll get to where I want to be if it kills me. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am now for me to just knock it on the head. My question is, why would I want to work there permanently doing something I don’t enjoy rather than pursue something that I absolutely adore?

OP posts:
happytoday73 · 07/08/2020 18:25

It's your life.. Your choices...
However it you were in FT employment you would be able to contribute more to the household budget.... Perhaps this is behind your mum's comments....
How much do you contribute while on training courses?

Kyle19 · 07/08/2020 18:31

@happytoday73

It's your life.. Your choices... However it you were in FT employment you would be able to contribute more to the household budget.... Perhaps this is behind your mum's comments.... How much do you contribute while on training courses?
I'm 18 and she has said I can live at home rent free until I'm in a position to contribute towards bills.
OP posts:
AnneTwackie · 07/08/2020 18:41

I can’t understand your mum’s attitude if it isn’t about the money. I really admire your ambition and it’s a sad fact that there aren’t a lot of opportunities for work at the moment in any field. Have you had a look for other jobs which are childcare related? Could you contact local colleges to see if they can help you gain access to childcare courses? There are agencies for au pairs and nannies you could contact and see if there is any work through that or before and after school clubs, holiday clubs etc. Or even babysitting. All experience counts. I work in childcare and have held senior roles and one of the most important things is enthusiasm which you seem to have lots of! I say go for it!

justoverthehorizon · 07/08/2020 18:46

Please go for what you want. ....its not your mother's life..its yours. only you can live it.

WaltzingBetty · 07/08/2020 18:47

Education is key. You'll be eligible for better paying roles that you enjoy with more qualifications

Snozzlemaid · 07/08/2020 18:49

Get as much education as you can.

pickingdaisies · 07/08/2020 20:21

Do the b-tech. If there was nothing else available, the pallet factory would be great, but right now you should be getting qualifications.

HappySonHappyMum · 08/08/2020 19:37

Pallet factory - really! Your Mum is thinking about her purse not your life. Get the education, you'll earn more in the future and give yourself more life opportunities

WhatDoIDooDIoDtahW · 14/08/2020 10:56

Ah yes, I studied hairdressing which mum said would be a failure so I quit college and did a dental nursing apprenticeship, qualified and went on to work in a fairly high up practice.

My best friend now owns a salon and has always been on a better wage than me.

Go with what you want to do.

TorkTorkBam · 14/08/2020 11:01

Business administration will involve a lot of maths and English. Given what you've written I would say you are setting yourself up for failure with that course.

If I were you I'd take the physical job as a stopgap while you decide what is the right course for you or seek another apprenticeship.

Early in my career I did a crap job by day for money and courses in the evening. It worked nicely. I was exhausted but hey it set me up well for life.

LimitIsUp · 20/08/2020 14:54

You should pursue something you absolutely adore. You're a long time in work - it makes sense that it should be something you like doing

PaperMonster · 20/08/2020 19:50

Strange, because if the pre-school employed you prior to Jan they can apply for £2k funding. Also - why business admin if you’re interested in childcare?

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