Why don't they do training schemes like they do for young people etc? Or do they ??

[nutcracker]

For example, I have just seen an ad for a trainee nursery nurse, but applicants have to be 19 and under. Have asked about this before and never found anyone willing to go above age 24 (I am 28).

Also saw an admin trainee job with the same type of rules too.

Why don't they do schemes when single parents can train too ??

Thinking about it, it's probably to do with childcare and stuff isn't it.

I want a job, or at least a chance of traing for one, but would rather do on the job training.

Age discrimination is actually now illegal after a recent change in the law - from the beginning of October if my memory serves me correctly.

You should apply and remind them of this fact in your letter. Unfortunately companies are very good at getting round these laws but it might give you a way in.

Sandy

I work in a college dealing with apprenticeship programmes etc and the under 19/under 24 cutoffs for those are to do with Government funding criteria - so if the trainee part of the job was run in conjunction with a college that would probably be why.

Marks and Sparks run a scheme for parents who want to return to work. You get do a two week work experience in a store all over the country, which could lead to the possibility of a job with them. You get a reference and current experience on the job experience that could lead to other things. The programme is also based within school hours. It's not for me but it is an option for those who feel there aren't many options for older parents.

Do you have a lone parent advisor at the jobcentre?

Mine is fantastic. Really helpful. They have info on lots of things to do with being a lone parent.

What about teacher training or nursing? As far as I know there's no age limit.

Theres lots of training opportunities for Lone Parents under the New Deal for Lone Parents. Before I became a jobcentre manager I was a New Deal Lone Parent Advisor, and unless things have changed while I've been off having DD if you find a course that'll give you a good chance of getting employment NDLP can fund both the course, and childcare while you do it. Definitely worth popping into your local Jobcentre Plus and asking for an appt with an NDLP advisor.

know what you mean nutcracker this annoys me too.

i think that this type of age discrimination exists accross the board and not just for single parents either.

I'm not technically a single parent anymore but boh me and dp are jobless ( he left his f/t job a month ago) at the mo, he's looking and applied for loads of jobs but to no avail. He's 26 and has started to look for apprentice type jobs but has been told he is too old, then he wanted to go back to college and study and get qualifications that way but then we would lose our benefits and as i'm pg i can't get work now until after the baby is born. He can't drive either.

I suppose govt funding has a lot to do with it but thats small comfort to those single parents, and those who do genuinly want to break free from the poverty trap, who do actually want to retrain and improve thier circumstances. And can't do so because of the shit benefit system etc.

oh can anyone tell me if they do schemes for those who can't drive, on benefits, and want to learn so they can go out and get better paid jobs etc?

sheepgomeep - dunno if this helps but apparantly national scheme wheels2work.org.uk provide subsidised driving lessons and transport loan schemes to people on benefits who can't get a job cos of transport issues. There's loads of them so hopefully one in your area.

thanks mrsmcv i'll have a look at that site.. dp needs to learn to drive