Learning near SE London or Surrey Government scheme?

[zanzibaa]

Would love to learn..

currently looking for a job and theres slim pickings, so why not do something useful with my time im thinking..

ive phoned guildford and brooklands colleges and they want £250!! (10 weeks) yeah right on top of buying some equipment..

looked all over the place anyone got any ideas on any government training or a group meet? i did read there was one in Epsom in 2007 for car mech. training.

hope alls well.

 

[zanzibaa]

or perhaps someone needs to clear the garage of a small welder?!

 

[zardoz]

If you are unemployed mate, the evening classes for welding are FREE. the further education college near me does city & guilds level 1 and 2 in MIG/TIG/MMA/Oxy -Ace. 10 week and 17 week courses 3 hours per week. Its city & guilds so it should be the same all over the UK. Thats only for evening classes though? I dont know about any other courses. however you can only ask, so give it a try. Great stuff really.
even if its not C&g it should still be free surely ? Ignore any quoted prices and ask directly about free places for the unemployed. Most will not mention it if you dont. You have to ask.

Surely they must be someone out there who knows of a Surrey/SE.London night class in welding ? I cant belive there are none.
.
EDIT: are any of these good to you ?:
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/courses.htm#London-South-East
.

 

[georgetheforge]

hi guys, i've done some research b4 on this.. trying to hone my skills/ get qualified,

both brooklands and basingstoke do courses... basingstoke want 1100 for a tig course, thats tickets and everything on 5 intensive days, but as you said this could be free due to the work issue...

if you get stuck, i know britannia welding in aldershot are good chaps and am sure they'll be of great help. or as someone else on here said you could try lucy and dick quinell at the fire and iron forge towards leatheryhead as they might do you a taster session?

anyways best of luck buddy, i was unemployed for 3 months and it's not fun, but word of advise keep active and proactive going to see mates and stuff coz it's real easy to get 'withdrawn' even getting out to the pub for a cheeky beer does the world of good-!!

 

[..DAZ..]

first, do some research! and if you havent already, register at the nearest jobcentre. I know it's not nice but it's the only way to get the ball rolling. Find out what colleges/training centres near you are doing. Find out where they are, how much they are charging, and how long the course lasts and what qualification you will end up with. Lastly, get your reasons straight why this course would help you in finding employment, ie loads of people looking for QUALIFIED welders (be prepared to back it up with evidence)The DHSS will only pay for retraining if the course is under a certain length and they feel it will help you gain employment, and they won't do any of the investigating work for you. There has been a huge pool of money allocated by the government for this purpose so it shouldn't be a problem. Also let your prospective employers know that they might also be entitled to a grant from the government for taking on somebody unemployed and retraining/reskilling them, depending on how long you have been registered out of work. After 3 momths on the dole myself I managed to get a job and have just completed my first week, and as George above says, KEEP POSITIVE AND ACTIVE!!! Keep looking and applying, and most important, keep yourself busy.................all the time!!! Do odd jobs for familly and friends, bit of charity work (if that way inclined) and make sure interviewers know that you have been doing it.

Good luck with the job hunting. I hope it all works out for you.

cheers
daz

 

[zanzibaa]

thanks for all the tips you lot, its truely a weird time to find a job never had too many problems before really.

ive rung round everyone involved several times now, and its seems the DIY style courses (10 week) your going to have to pay for yourself whatever.

if you want training of any sort its a bit of a minefield as to who pays, theres government and other organizations, phone up learndirect and they give you about 10 numbers/web addresses. theres a lot on LLN (language and numercay?!) which are quite general courses but its all pretty expensive really when the pounds arent looking after themselves.

for welding at farnborough college for instance to get a level 2 city and guilds is one year and costs around 800 pounds but ive been told if you can prove your unemployed you only have administration costs and exam fees. im going this tuesday to see what this is about - and learn something!

will post any further info

never know what can happen if you stay busy.. thats what ive been told!

cheers

 

[simmo]

hey mate,

no advice about the UK but being a commonwealth country do you share the idea of apprenticeships with Australia? not uncommon for someone with no experience to get an apprenticeship in welding, it's a 4 year deal and the wages are modest at first. you will spend your first year emptying bins and doing alot of grinding/prep work but all your training is provided through your employer and if you stick it out you can earn a good wage 12 months in.

cheers mate,
-simmo