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Courses for a career (after being an unskilled SAHM for so long)

Answered 4 years ago

Hello, I'm having a milestone birthday this year and my husband has told me I can have whatever I want for it (within a $500-$1000 budget).
*YES I KNOW I'M LUCKY*
I would like to return to the workforce, but being unskilled and unqualified, I just can't land a job that pays enough to justify going back to work. It isn't that I NEED to work (again, I know how incredibly fortunate I am), but I'd like to.
What are some courses I could take, within my budget, to upskill? I can't drive so that limits my options I know.
I don't know. Please let me know what you can recommend. Thank you.


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ANSWER
4 years ago
Use the $1000 to splurge then get a job at coles or woolworths, you will be an essential worker and always have work available, plus should be able to use your skills as a SAHM in a position there.

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REPLY
4 years ago
Oh wow, you make it sound so easy. Just get a job at Coles...ok.

REPLY
4 years ago
It kinda is just go in store speak to the manager

REPLY
4 years ago
It isn’t you can’t speak to a store manager you must apply online with especially now THOUSANDS OF Others and yes I’m a manager for Coles

REPLY
4 years ago
Im in WA and Coles, Woolworths and IGA are screaming out for staff, there are lots of jobs available.

REPLY
4 years ago
I’m in WA and applied online to Coles and Woolworths AND took resumes into every Coles and woolies within a half hour drive of me...lots.... Not one would accept a resume and they all told me it’s online applications only. Several told me they weren’t taking on any staff so I think it’s bullshit that they’re hiring thousands of staff. I’m not saying the commenter is full of shit, I’m saying Coles and Woolies are. I don’t believe they are hiring thousands. They were offering jobs to qantas staff and other industries that shut down but not to the average Joe looking for a job.

REPLY
4 years ago
I'm in retail & that's how i got my last 2 jobs. Physically go in & speak to a manager.

ANSWER
4 years ago
I suggest not doing a medical receptionist course. I did. It cost me $700 and I still can’t find work. Everyone wants experience. I did my course in January. Of the 14 ladies in my course, 2 found casual work. Those two were two beautiful 18year olds and the rest of us were mums in our 40s. We all feel we wasted our money. And you might not share my opinion that young gorgeous women get picked over older ladies but I’ve found in my experience ( with previous jobs) sadly, that is the case. Before you decide what to study, make sure there is going to be work available with no previous experience required. Good luck.

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REPLY
4 years ago
I could imagine this, it's really competitive. I remember going for just one interview and coming to the same sat conclusion..they just want people with experience or starting out...in that case I think you are best to try figure out someone you know or just he really froend

REPLY
4 years ago
Be really friendly and try get in that way( before the interview)

REPLY
4 years ago
You don’t have to be young to be gorgeous! I know lots of stunning mums in their 30s and 40s.

REPLY
4 years ago
That's really not what she's saying

REPLY
4 years ago
But it is what she’s saying. She said that two beautiful 18 year olds got jobs and the older ladies didn’t. I would argue that a beautiful 30yr old / 40yr old or 50 yr old could compete and get the job potentially.

It’s one thing (and normal) to be older and look older. It’s another to let yourself go and use being a 40 year old mum as an excuse. 40 year old mums can be really attractive and can compete for these jobs, but only if they put effort in.

REPLY
4 years ago
I’m sorry but being a 40 yr old mum is not why you aren’t getting these jobs. Sounds like an excuse to me. Present yourself well, prepare for the interview and you have just as good a chance as anyone else.

REPLY
4 years ago
Ok just so you know, none of Mums had let ourselves go. We all went to the course well presented. And two ladies aged 45 and 49 were smoking hot! Age is a factor I believe as well as looks.

REPLY
4 years ago
Maybe it’s because you’re so much older and starting out in a young industry? I would have thought that reception is a young persons game, and it wouldn’t be very wise trying to start out at as a receptionist in your 40s unless you had previous admin experience?

REPLY
4 years ago
I don’t think it’s purely a looks thing. I think in your 40s you’re too old to be starting at the bottom in an entry level, low skilled job.

ANSWER
4 years ago
Thanks for all your replies. I've decided on some construction courses. Honestly, I'm not sure that's the right industry for me, but it would be a starting point to earn some more money to get other qualifications. Or it could be the beginning of an exciting career (there are definitely some aspects of it that appeal).
But, I did appreciate the responses. You've given me some pause for thought, that I wouldn't have had before (whether I'd be likely to actually get work if it was between me and some young attractive woman, whether I'd be satisfied going in to work every day in a role I don't enjoy, the different industries to consider). Thanks.

Hopefully I'll be a working woman soon 🙂

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REPLY
4 years ago
You will definitely need your drivers license to work in construction so I would say focus on that first above all.

REPLY
4 years ago
Thanks, as I wrote somewhere else, I will be sitting my test (to get my Ps) once the lockdown is over and things go back to normal :-)

REPLY
4 years ago
Whoo hoo, go you :)

REPLY
4 years ago
Good luck out there babe x

ANSWER
4 years ago
Dog grooming
Admin

ANSWER
4 years ago
Sometimes it could be fun to teach English second language. I did this for a while...$30bucks per hour from home, it just gave me something to do which I enjoyed.

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REPLY
4 years ago
How does this work? Did you have regular work and therefore a semi regular income?

REPLY
4 years ago
Mm this was in between me starting my first real job after returning from overseas. I put up posters at the local uni and I got some students who were quite well off contacting me and paying upfront.. I could have charged more but I loved learning about cultures, though it was more conversation based. You can do courses in these, but I think it's better to get the real experience instead because the courses we more directed at teaching in Japan etc and at group based lessons.. After this I went back abroad and took lessons from others.. and so many people there were interested though it wasn't my thing then.

ANSWER
4 years ago
If you're in Victoria there's a heap of free tafe courses for certificates and qualifications..think there's a list of 50 or something free if that scheme is still going

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REPLY
4 years ago
Thanks for the tip, unfortunately I'm in WA (and we have no free tafe at this time - those turds). But I hope someone in VIC sees this :-)

REPLY
4 years ago
If you have a health care card there is a range of courses that have been slashed at Tafe in WA, you pay $400 max for the course, the Cert 4 in mental health is one of those courses and high demand for work afterwards, if you dont have a health care card they are capped at $1200 i think, which is still a good saving as last year the same course was around $4000, google it and you will find all the courses on offer for that price.

ANSWER
4 years ago
Why not look at learning to drive? A lot of jobs require it.

ANSWER
4 years ago
Do something that interests you. If you are serious about returning to the workforce you should do something that you can imagine waking up in the morning and doing.

ANSWER
4 years ago
Maybe you could do a career quiz on one of the online learning sites to see what options you have for your specific passions and interests.


ANSWER
4 years ago
Maybe start with your licence?
Or an admin course, something simple?

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REPLY
4 years ago
Thanks, do you happen to know of any specifics admin courses within my budget?
I am working on my licence (once lockdown is over I'll be taking my test) 🙂

REPLY
4 years ago
If you’re in QLD a certificate 3 is free if you don’t already hold one under the guarantee. Otherwise shops round the prices are not too expensive :)

Good on you for wanting to upskill.

I’ll post some links for you :)