Get Skilled Up!
- According to a survey of 4064 jobseekers in 2010 by Home Learning College and Reed.co.uk, around one-third of job applicants found that a lack of qualifications was holding them back.
- Around 50% were resorting to further training to update their skills. In particular, ambitious job seekers were finding that targeted vocational training would add value to their CVs.
- Higher education does not guarantee success, and the survey found that 1/5th of graduates believed that their degree had not increased their employability.
- Around half of those who took part in the survey were unemployed.
- Another research project (CEBR) identified that 20% of new graduates are unemployed.
- 52% were either unemployed or in non-graduate jobs.
- Applicants with Vocational Level 4 skills, had equal prospects as graduates.
- So the message is, identify what vocational skills you are lacking and then "skill up".
- Many "leisure courses" can add vocational skills to your CV - eg photography or Adobe Photoshop
- There are many online courses that are either free (eg IT skills from Microsoft.com), or relatively cheap.
- Facebook and many other online packages have free online tutorials that you access. Remember many business use social media so these skills are useful.
- Many local colleges offer Saturday courses at attractive rates. If you're receiving benefits, many courses will be subsidised. You can find details at your local library or online.
