What can I train in..

[namebunny]

Hello, just was on another thread which turned into a bit of a dream ramble and though it’s fun to dream, now I need some cold hard reality. I’m 57, good at illustrating/ painting/ I am trying to sell stuff on Etsy and it’s slow going. What can I train as that will bring me in an income?

How long would you be able to dedicate to training? It depends really where your interests lie and what qualifications you have already. My friend did a postgraduate childrens book illustration masters, and the portfolio she created during the course helped her to secure her dream job; but obviously as with a lot in the arts its not guaranteed.

Thanks, I think that’s the problem, I’d love to do a postgrad. I’ll look into it. But Dp is carrying all the financial stress. And wouldn’t be too impressed if I buggered off to art school for a year. Well done your friend though.
Maybe some sort of digital marketing? Can anyone recommend a good course?

It depends where in the country you are a bit as well, but perhaps start searching for jobs you maybe haven't considered before, quite a few offer on the job training for candidates with a background in art as part of local initiatives. What I personally would love to go back and do (not quite art but related) is a museum conservator course- preserving all of the old documents and artefacts! Many postgraduate courses are part time as well it's worth remembering so depending how much time you have to commit you could work alongside if it's a passion. It's hard feeling in a rut isn't it but not quite knowing what you want to do, I'm sure something will come up though

I was going to say that there is a huge skills shortage in civil engineering, but since it’s 10 years at least from starting your degree to chartership, then that’s probably not the route to go at 57. And it’s very technical rather than creative

Ha! Thanks I’d be absolutely rubbish at civil engineering!
Maybe there is a job I could do alongside a postgrad…dreaming again.
Just feel like such a failure. How do I find out about
the job training for candidates with a background in art as part of local initiatives ?.

You could become a professional instagrammer. That's a serious suggestion - artists and illustrators can do very well on there.

Wha! What’s that?

Hmm I guess it might be a lot to learn if you don't know what instagram is yet! But a lot of illustrators and artists sell work and build a profile on there, and make it a part of their businesses to do drawing tutorials or coaching. It can be lucrative for some of them, I think, but you have to be committed to it.

What are you qualified to do or what do you have experience in? What income do you want to be earning?

Have a look at employers like the Civil Service - they have great entry level work.

Have you always been an illustrator/ artist or have you had other jobs- if so what were they? Just trying to get a picture of any transferable skills.

Thanks guys, am super down and anxious today, so it’s lovely to hear from you.
Background in advertising so am good at idea, design, making, writing, creating.. I have some Adobe, but am not at anything like studio standard.
Apricotshandy it’s something I’ve looked into - it does seem a bit dreamy again though. But yes, after Xmas I will send people to Etsy through you tube. Scared even as I write it!
redcars that’s a good idea. Our area doesn’t have any entry level atm. But will keep looking. It’s the age old challenge- something that uses my skills and I can move up in. I’m getting nowhere applying as a receptionist etc. Humph!

Oh wow, you have lots of great skills then! How about looking at things like online marketing, social media work?

Social Media Assistant / Content Creator: g.co/kgs/tq9LVX

Ffs. Every single job on the get employed website needs a different qualification. Dp in a crap mood cos he hates his job. Not a good day. Everything needs cleaning, mending, chucking and it’s just endless. Not a good day.

Ooh thank you redcars that does look up my alley. I could definitely create content to brand tone of voice.
I’d need to do a bit of training..so..does anyone know of a good social media assistant/ content creator course?
Feeling positive! Thank you!

What about training in Art Therapy?

www.derby.ac.uk/postgraduate/therapeutic-practice-courses/art-therapy-ma/

www.shsc.nhs.uk/get-involved/education-and-training/art-therapy-northern-programme/ma-art-psychotherapy-practice

Zealandardour, thank you for the idea.
Yes I’d love to do that too, I looked into it and again, it’s a lot of training. I think I’m a bit stuck because Dh wasn’t too keen on me paying for training or volunteering. Got myself in a pickle!

Have pm-ed you OP.

Wow, thank you! ☕️🫖☕️

Have a look at tech returners or Women in tech. Lots of companies have programmes to help women returning to the workplace. If you're up for desk based work - which is what marketing would be - then development and the various tech avenues can be creative in their own ways, lots of problem solving and good for curious minds. Also can make $$$$ very quickly unlike marketing where progression is pretty cut throat.

That’s interesting floofy. It seems they are for,people who know something about coding, but I will mooch about more tomorrow.
Thank you!

Did you check loans for postgraduate study?
www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study

Thanks Fere, I didn’t realise you could get loans.
Thanks for that .

If you can come up with a plan then it might seem a bit more achievable.

So. You need to study for xx amount of time, at a cost of yy but then you have the qualifications to be able to do this job which pays £zz.

You need to get a good feel for jobs and their requirements though.

Thanks. Don’t hunk I’ll be going to college any time soon though.

OP not sure where you're based as this is NW, but there are lots of these gov/employer funded bootcamps atm www.skills-city.com/