Improving job prospects as a single mum.

[Heisrotten2thecore]

I'm a single mum working four days a week in a warehouse.
I would like to do a computer and HR course to try and improve my chances of getting some sort of career and potentially buy my own home at some point. I've looked at courses online but I just wanted to gain some advice from single mums and dads that have been successful in improving themselves and there lives

I don't have any family to lean on or friends to help.

I went to Uni, dd was 5 and at school, she had to go to breakfast clubs and a couple of after school clubs a week. Still feel bad that she did 7 years on but she had a great time in both! Didn’t help me get the job I’m in now as 4 years ago you applied and if they liked your application you just went at had a look around, no interview!!! Not like now where applicants have to sit maths and English tests and then interview.

Contact The Young Womens Trust (www.youngwomenstrust.org/get-support/) they can set you up for free with a work coach who can help you to improve your employability and look at options for studying.

There are great on line computing skills courses, also via local colleges.
Could you do any admin as a volunteer to build your skills? Is there scope in your job to shadow admin?

@thesandwich I did think this doing volunteer work but it's childcare that would be the problem

@OtterAndDog Thank you for this I will definitely contact them

What kind of things are you good at? What did you enjoy most at school?

You'll be better off if you work with your strengths, also it can help people here or elsewhere give you some steers - there are some fantastic online courses, but also lots that will take your money and give you very little in return.

Another helpful thing would be to look into local childcare options, even if you're not ready to use them yet. It would help you to know how much they'll cost, hours available, and also how much UC might cover.

Some volunteering can be done on line. Have a look at do it.com

I already had a degree, but having become a single mum (not on purpose), I found that working for large blue chip companies or public sector gave me a lot more flexibility & support than private sector.

I moved to private sector once ds was in school full time. Good luck x

Does your school offer breakfast and after school clubs OP.

Do you have a local playscheme for the school holidays.

If you work for Amazon they will pay for your qualifications. I’ve seen that they’ll fund Access courses to nursing so think it’s an extensive list.

Otherwise get in touch with your local college. Check out CIPD courses.

@Rummikub A big Thank you very much for this xx

You’re welcome
Good luck with it all x
See where you want to head and plan how to get there