Photography courses?

Hi all,

wanted to pick your brains about the possibility of doing a BA in photography, or some similar course. I've already done a BA in english and media (though only got an HND - due to mental health issues ), so I don't think I can get the course covered by any government things Also, neither of us have jobs at the moment, this is a cause of constant worry for both of us but of course, we cannot afford to pay for any courses, nor can we afford to do it full time, because we'd have no money coming in (ie. they'd remove our jobseekers allowance) I think I'm answering my own questions here... that there's nothing I can do but I thought I'd ask in case anyone has any ideas?

xx

Honey, (Its Lorna)
I'd go and speak to them at Swansea Institute, it was where I was going to do a BA in Photojournalism (before I became broke and had to work full time lol!) the admissions guy is lovely and might be able to give you some help! Also if you don't already have the full BA, then you will be able to get funding.

Lorna.

ooh hi! *hug*

Thanks for the info, I will certainly look into that My major worry is not having any money coming in at all... it wuold have to not affect the money i get to exist on right now, as I cannot apply for another irish grant or student loan. While I may be able to get course fees paid, not having any money to live on would be a problem :/

xx

Find out rather than sit and worry There is bound to be some way around it but you need to find someone to ask about it Good luck

I don't really know anything about it, but isn't there supposed to be schemes for adult learning etc? Don't they offer you training of any sort whilst on job-seekers? How are people meant to find work if they're not given a chance to improve their skills? :-/

WHY not get a job? or have I missed something?

it's not exactly for want of trying jols there's no work here, been searching now for two years, and applying for everything that we can physically do, or are qualified for. Believe me, I want a job more than anything in the world, but we can't afford to move without a job, and there's no work here... it's half killing us.

and no azz, no training offered. if you're on JSA for 6 months they make you do gardens for people in rough council estates, for an extra £15 a week. great isn't it

xx

It's a shame there aren't any schemes for job seekers who want to improve their skills - might be worth writing to the Welsh Assembly, a long shot but might be worth it if enough people write in as they have the power to bring some sort of scheme in. Especially because it is a problem that is bigger in Wales than in say some of the other richer parts of the UK. There is a lot of unemployment round here, not because people don't want to work but because there are not enough jobs or they lack the skills required.

Exactly. Do you know, I may just do that. I cannot, and would never have believed how hard it is to get work here. We're both well educated people, but that doesn't mean a thing anymore. We're either not qualified enough, can't drive (and can't afford to), or too qualified. If we apply for jobs that don't require much in the way of qualifications, then we get turned away, usually because we're a risk, we're the sort of people who would probably leave as soon as something better comes along. It's a really difficult situation. I believe currently 2 out of 3 adults in Swansea are unemployed... it's disgusting Hopefully the new Amazon warehouse will bring some more jobs, though again, even though it's supposed to bring many hundreds of jobs, I don't think we stand much chance. Not good enough or have enough experience to be managers and supervisors, but too good to be ordinary packers. We've both had this happen time and again, apply for jobs, get to interview, to be told that we should be aiming for manager level, and when we do, being told we've not enough experience

xx

In that case I would jump at the chance of getting in on packers level - because most companies like to recruit from within whenever possible, so you can definitely work your way up as and when there are openings. Also, you are gaining experience of how things work there, and if you volunteer to help the 'managers' whenever possible all that will be noted.

You just have to make sure your work has been exemplary all the way.

It does work as I've seen it many times before - but its not a quick process and could take years, but that's better than it never turning up at all