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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

To retrain as a mum with 2 kids?

40 replies

Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 08:04

Hi.just that really? I currently earn £1000 pm part time and want a better career, I’m currently in facilities management but with becoming part time the prospects have diminished and since becoming a mum
I have decided I want something different..can anybody recommend any worthwhile degrees which can actually help you get a decent job, just some general advice would be lovely.

OP posts:
mdh2020 · 27/03/2022 08:27

Are you a graduate? If you are you could do Teach First and get paid to train as a teacher. When my DC started school I went to uni and did a BEd and became a teacher. Have you thought of nursing? Jobs don’t materialise out of thin air, you usually have to work your up to the better ones. Look at the OU - you could study at home, p/t while still earning.

thirdistheonewiththehairychest · 27/03/2022 08:35

I find it incredible that someone who is actually a teacher is recommending that someone else retrain as a teacher! Don't see that very often!
I am currently a primary teacher but am also looking to retrain as I would like to increase my earnings but would also like to see my own children sometimes! I don't find teaching to be compatible with family life at all.

Have you looked at apprenticeships OP? There are many higher level apprenticeships, not only aimed at school-leavers but also career-changers. I'm looking to do a Level 7 Accountancy apprenticeship at my local university. That's equivalent to a Masters degree.

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch?searchMode=Keyword

Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 08:48

I’m not a graduate no…I would love to get a degree but unsure which route to take, midwifery was my preferred choice but apparently the money isn’t great for the amount of hours you do. I’m 31 now so need to get a move on as I am very much aware I’ll have to work at it and it won’t just come to me

OP posts:
Mosaic123 · 27/03/2022 08:51

Could you train to be an accountant? Look at ACCA qualifications and ACA. You could work and train at the same time.

The qualification will enable you to earn a good salary and open doors.

thirdistheonewiththehairychest · 27/03/2022 08:56

Yes I'd really recommend you look at the apprenticeships OP. Work as you study, and they have all sorts of things at all sorts of levels.

Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 10:41

Just found this on my work development programme…should I do this via work and work my way up that way?

To retrain as a mum with 2 kids?
OP posts:
Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:10

Also booked to do my maths GCSE through a local college. Sorry but I’m so worried that I have past it at my age and really want my children to be proud of me and make something of myself. I do feel my job does have a lot of prospects which I am lucky to have.

OP posts:
spotcheck · 27/03/2022 12:13

What bits of your current job do you enjoy?

Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:17

I love people and thrive off conversation. I like the planning aspect of it and, I also love training new staff members and giving them advice

OP posts:
Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:18

I’m also worried that by the time I have finished my maths GCSE I will be 32! I’m worried I’m getting too old

OP posts:
FTEngineerM · 27/03/2022 12:21

Have you done one of those ‘what career suits my personality’ tests on the careers websites?

I did an OU degree (from nothing, like literally no GCSEs or anything) and just applied for an online MSc through another provider now.

Definitely get into something.
Do you need to do the maths gcse? If you did a maths based OU degree it starts from the bottom anyway.

FTEngineerM · 27/03/2022 12:21

Oops should have added my age (30 this year with two under two) so I’m right there with yah!

Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:24

@FTEngineerM oh no I will do that and see what comes up. How come you don’t need GCSE’s to do a degree that just doesn’t make sense?

OP posts:
breatheinskipthegym · 27/03/2022 12:24

Project Management (Lean Six Sigma & Agile) command decent salaries and are generally seen as pretty cushy office jobs. I reckon there'd be transferable skills/traits in common from facilities management - looking at how things depend on each other, organisation for example. Have a look at the career prospects for that, maybe? If you can stay in a stable job while they fund your training, this is a good position to be in, IMO

Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:26

I work for the NHS so would I be silly to leave?(pension wise etc)

OP posts:
Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:27

I think I just want somebody to tell
Me that I am not in a bad position at all 😊 feeling slightly deflated lately.

OP posts:
FTEngineerM · 27/03/2022 12:40

If you want to go into HE then the prospects one is good because it links directly to skilled jobs: www.prospects.ac.uk/job-match

As an example if you chose maths degree with the OU the first module (60 credits) is equivalent to a GCSE maths, then it ramps up from there. It depends what you’re going for though; choosing a Physics degree with a brick uni.. yeah probably a good idea to do the GCSE. Figure it out first before spending a year doing it, that’s all I’m saying because it may not be necessary.

Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:44

@FTEngineerM what are you planning to do at the end of it? X

OP posts:
Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:45

I don’t know why but I have become crazily ambitious since becoming a mum. I think the drive to be successful for them is the most drive I have ever had

OP posts:
shivbo2014 · 27/03/2022 12:48

You've got plenty of time to retrain! I'm 38 and have just started a degree with the Open University to change my career.

Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:52

I read that the OUdegrees aren’t as respected by employers? Is this true?

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Original poster
Sarah9024 · 27/03/2022 12:54

I forgot to add I was pharmacy technician before this but the pay was pants!

OP posts:
wristwrangle · 27/03/2022 12:58

@Sarah9024

I love people and thrive off conversation. I like the planning aspect of it and, I also love training new staff members and giving them advice
Speech and language therapist?!
spotcheck · 27/03/2022 12:59

@FTEngineerM

Most degrees DO need GCSE's ( or at least an equivalent) in math. Entry criteria change all the time, and vary from place to place and degree to degree.

OP
What aspects of your job do you enjoy?
Management? Planning? Budgeting?

Having a pension with one company doesn't mean you have to stay forevermore.

Look at the GoConstruct website. It lists a range of job profiles in the industry, many office based, and with flexible training pathways ( IE apprenticeship, or on the job/ industry quals). You may be interested in project management, asset management, quantity surveying ( Def needs math GCSE though).

Have a search, and it is good that you are prepared to do your GCSE.

In the meantime though, the National Careers Service website links to free courses via the Skills Builder part of the site. You may want to get your level 2 Functional skills in math to start off. It will also open some doors.

BluebellsGreenbells · 27/03/2022 13:01

My sister also works for the NHS and she’s now doing a degree via work. Maybe look into ones available through their professional developement scheme?