Where and how can I get training?

[Marzko]

I have been unemployed for over a year. I live in a town called St Helens which has a bad unemployment record although not one as bad as Mythyrtidvyl. I want to move to the city of Liverpool but I cannot as I have a £900 rent deficit with Maritime Housing and they will not help me move untill it has cleared.

In the meantime I aim to go to St Helens college doing PC Repair and Maintainance but I know that the bus fares alone would leave me penniless. It is a fair walk into the town where I live. I am worried that when I go to college I will not fit in anyway because I am poor and don't have new clothes. This was the case two years ago when I went to Liverpool college. It was a disaster.

I have aspergers which makes things worse. At the moment I am on the government Work Programme with A4E which is not helping me. They said that if I don't do as they say I will lose my JSA. In secret they told me that I and people like me are dole scroungers.

Anyway, I want to do something at college but I am confused because I don't truly know what I want to do with my life. I keep thinking that I would take up computer repair or website design just because I've played about with a bit of code; I have little or no creative flair - so what is the point? I have a qualification in fitness instruction but cannot find any work with it. What a waste of time that was! I should have attended a course in May but I cannot walk all that way with a catheter inside my bladder (the catheter will be removed in two weeks time). It is too late to start any courses now, I am told.

At the moment I'm advised to look for work which I know is not there, and they think I'm just lazy. They warned me recently that I would have to be forced to do mandatory work placements. I don't mind this so as long as it benefits me. But I've heard of some stories where people have gone on these placements just so that the companies can get free labour. I don't want to stack shelves in Tesco. How will that help me? I've had dozens of jobs in the past.

I feel like I'm on the scrap-heap. Is it my fault? I've tried the best I can. Apparently, it isn't good enough.

Any advice would be most welcome.

[CleeIB]

Hi Marzko,

First, let's look at what you have: fitness instruction qualification, interests in computer repair and website design.

These are all definitely marketable skills, so if you would be OK with pursuing any of them (as opposed to seeking a new direction), you could seek to develop those skills in a directed way.

Regarding your fitness instruction qualification, you may want to expand your search to other cities to increase your possibilities. Can you move yourself and/or get friends to help you move? That way you wouldn't be dependent on Maritime Housing for moving help.

Additionally, you could also go into business yourself as a fitness instructor/personal trainer. Perhaps you could put adverts in local websites and businesses.

Regarding computer repair and website design, if the college training is what you need to get ahead, then find a way to get to the college. Could you get a bicycle? Perhaps you could carpool with someone?

Stacking shelves in Tesco could be a waste of time, but it could also help you if you can get savings with which you can move or have greater opportunities, like education.

There are plenty of "poor folks" in college; a good number of folks are in college are on financial aid. As long as you observe proper hygiene, lack of new clothes is a superficial concern that should not hold you back in college.

If you appreciate what you have and do what it takes to develop your skills, you'll find a way out. Good luck!

[Marzko]

Hi Marzko,

First, let's look at what you have: fitness instruction qualification, interests in computer repair and website design.

These are all definitely marketable skills, so if you would be OK with pursuing any of them (as opposed to seeking a new direction), you could seek to develop those skills in a directed way.

Regarding your fitness instruction qualification, you may want to expand your search to other cities to increase your possibilities. Can you move yourself and/or get friends to help you move? That way you wouldn't be dependent on Maritime Housing for moving help.

Additionally, you could also go into business yourself as a fitness instructor/personal trainer. Perhaps you could put adverts in local websites and businesses.

Regarding computer repair and website design, if the college training is what you need to get ahead, then find a way to get to the college. Could you get a bicycle? Perhaps you could carpool with someone?

Stacking shelves in Tesco could be a waste of time, but it could also help you if you can get savings with which you can move or have greater opportunities, like education.

There are plenty of "poor folks" in college; a good number of folks are in college are on financial aid. As long as you observe proper hygiene, lack of new clothes is a superficial concern that should not hold you back in college.

If you appreciate what you have and do what it takes to develop your skills, you'll find a way out. Good luck!

Thanks. But how will I move? I don't think I can go into business without capital. And this is a poor town with an ageing population. Also I have no friends because I have aspergers. I could expand on those skills, but I would need to return to education, which is too expensive.

I'm stuck unless I can find a big wad of cash. I've thougth about becoming a prostitute but I don't want to start with that one, and I'm worried about diseases.

[CleeIB]

Marzko, moving is certainly easier with less stuff. If you have excess belongings, selling them would both make moving easier and potentially earn you some cash.

As far as becoming a freelance computer repairperson/web designer, just place an ad in local websites/newspapers. Website postings are often free, and, if you already have the necessary tools for the job, you can start doing work for others.

Education can definitely be expensive, but you can also view it as a investment in your future, which will earn you returns beyond what you paid for it.

As for prostitution, we certainly don't counsel doing anything illegal here! You are on your own there. You won't be of much use to yourself or others if you get locked up for criminal activity :P

Again, seek to maximize what you've got and make gains, even small ones, day by day. Over time, they will add up. Good luck!

[Marzko]

Marzko, moving is certainly easier with less stuff. If you have excess belongings, selling them would both make moving easier and potentially earn you some cash.

As far as becoming a freelance computer repairperson/web designer, just place an ad in local websites/newspapers. Website postings are often free, and, if you already have the necessary tools for the job, you can start doing work for others.

Education can definitely be expensive, but you can also view it as a investment in your future, which will earn you returns beyond what you paid for it.

As for prostitution, we certainly don't counsel doing anything illegal here! You are on your own there. You won't be of much use to yourself or others if you get locked up for criminal activity :P

Again, seek to maximize what you've got and make gains, even small ones, day by day. Over time, they will add up. Good luck!

I do not think your advice to be practical. Even with less stuff I could not move, and I own very little. If I sold all I possess i would probably have around £200. To sell everything I own just to throw everything away is foolish.

It costs about £30 to place an add like that in the newspaper. I could not afford it. Plus, I have no training, no experience and very little practical or academic knowledge of the subject. No-one will want some amateur to design their website when they can spend $3.59 on a professional website themselves.

Prostituion is a last resort and I am almost at the last resort.

[peanutbutter]

Hi Markzo.

I hope things moved along in a positive way during the summer. I'm sorry to say I only saw your post today.

Also I have no friends because I have aspergers.

This particular quote of yours drew my attention. I know a couple of people who are on the autism spectrum and I know how hard it can be for them to make friends and connect with people. However, if you want to get a job and do it well, or get through college, these are vital skills. Try to find some autism support groups. People who help you make those connections.

Just one good friend can solve a lot of your problems.