Imagine a life in which there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Imagine a life in which all doors are all closed to you. Christmas 2007 in China, where I was teaching at a public university. In China, if you have no money you die. End of the story. In China everyone faces dead-ends all their life. That's how the system works.
I'd always told my students never be afraid to try, never be afraid to ask.' Life there is very difficult for them to say the least. Very difficult, just because of the way things are in that society. You have to be there to understand. If you can give them a glimmer of hope for the future, then that counts for a lot; something to aim for and, as I always kept repeatedly telling them, never be afraid to try.
Several of my students were desperately, desperately worried about their future. That's how it is out there; there's nobody to offer help or guidance. Nobody actually cares or tries to help.
I was thinking about my own future, too. My fifty-third birthday was looming on the horizon and it was only another six months before I returned to England to an area normally associated with high unemployment, and I would face the usual get-any-job I could just to make ends meet and scrape together the money to pay those missing national insurance contributions because I had been in China. Off and on, it had been like that for six years.
We're all human; we all worry despite the smiling face we put on for the benefit of others. We all think and look at the future and yes, we become down. We all become beset by fears and worries.
October 2008, and I'd been home for over three months. Despite teaching in China I wasn't qualified to teach in the UK. I'd lost track of the number of jobs I'd applied for. There was one job that sticks in my mind TEFL - (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) to Chinese students in a north east university. And strangely enough it was a university that I'd once worked on behalf of in China, paid at Chinese rates. Surely, with more than three years classroom teaching experience in Chinese in front of classes of up to 200 and being able to get by' in Chinese, I would be a suitable applicant?
No. Being experienced and able to do something isn't the same as having a recognised qualification to say that you are competent and have reached a minimum level required by employers. That job went to a girl of twenty three who had just completed a part time three month TEFL course. She had the piece of paper to say she was competent.
It's also the sort of time when you look in the job pages of the local papers and think well I could do that' only you can't, because you haven't got that recognised minimum standard of competency required by employers, irrespective of how good you are. The best self-taught and experienced mechanic in the world would never be offered a job with Rolls Royce. He can't prove how good or competent he is. That's the difference.
It was also around this time that a leaflet was pushed through my letterbox. Perhaps it came with the free local paper. I don't remember. What I do remember when looking at the leaflet is thinking: Yeah, I've seen this all before -training courses that are a complete waste of time and effort. The world is full of them. They're useless; of no value whatsoever.
For whatever reason, a few days later I picked up the leaflet, re-read it, thought about a computing course of sorts, and logged onto the skillstrain website and sent a brief enquiry. A couple of days later I received a phone call from a very pleasant and professional girl in their Bedfordshire headquarters. Surprise, surprise, she wasn't trying to sell me any off the peg course and didn't ask for my bank card details. Even more surprising, somebody would first visit me to discuss and assess which course I was most suited to. This was beginning to sound professional.
Where skillstrain scores and scores heavily is that they have their finger on the pulse of the employment market. They know where the shortfalls in skills lie within the employment sector and subject to your own abilities of course, can point you in the right direction. It actually gives a pleasant feeling to know that ahead, in the future, there is a door you can open: there is light at the end of a tunnel. It does your head good, believe me. We're all human. I now have a book called PC Hardware and Maintenance Essentials, which I am working through. It's my door.
The story doesn't end there. I have three very good friends, one of whom I have known for at least thirty years. For the last twenty five years he has been tinkering with computers, and certainly seems to know everything about them. But he could never get a job doing just that he has no computing qualifications per se.
The other two friends, well they are in a similar position when it comes to computers. All three are working, but are looking for a career change. They now know all about skillstrain and indeed, have constantly been asking about it. Strange that none of us had heard about skillstrain before. And you only recommend worthwhile things to friends. Right? I have no doubt that in the future well, I know they will use skillstrain to open new doors of their own.
My Students all found a door, somewhere along the line. They needed a bit of help, that's all. You know the name written on your door so give it a push.
-Glenn
In 2007 I was struggling at University studying an unsuitable course, getting into debt and unhappy with my life and prospects. I left university and went full-time in a call centre, however although reasonably paid I found the work mundane and my career path was limited. I have always had an interest in computers and, hearing about Skillstrain, decided to take the plunge and sign up for their CIW Website Design Manager course.
Shortly afterwards I quit my job in the call centre and moved back to my home area where I worked part-time while studying the Skillstrain course. At the beginning of this year (2008) I managed to get a placement with an IT company, helped greatly by the knowledge I had gained through the early stages of my course. In April they took me on as a permanent member of staff and I recently received a pay-rise due to my progress.
I am approaching the last section of my course and am delighted at the change in my life thanks to Skillstrain. I am now happy in my work, studying a course that is relevant and interesting to me, and looking forward to a more fulfilling and better-paid career.
-Christopher
This year has been a very tough year for me, however the knowledge I have gained throughout the year has only led me closer to being a freelance web designer. I have been able to take on more projects while still studying and feel that 2009 for me can only get better.
-Andrew
I am student of skill train from last nine months. I came here from India 11 months before as a dependent. I only had a part time job at the time in a fast food restaurant. I had my graduation in computer from India and I worked on database system in India. But here I couldn't find a system base jobs so I relies that I have to do a course from UK but I did not have enough money that time skill train give me opportunity to do E-commerce and project management course that CIW certification with a monthly basis instalments. And I find myself in me for that thanks to skill train for help.
-Argha
Hi All,
I have been a Skills Train student for more than 10 months.
I currently work for a large telecommunications company and must admit the information gained at Skills Train is very useful and helps me a lot. I can now help my colleagues and friends experiencing various PC problems. This really makes me feel excellent. Since I was a little boy, I always tried to learn more and more about the computers and new technologies. Now, when I have chance to do it, I really like it.
I think that the up to date information gained at Skills Train have definitely changed my live forever.
Thank you
p.s. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All.
-Ivo
Studying with Skillstrain is going to make my Christmas so much better this year, the main reason is because it has given me so much more to look forward to next year. I have had to look at changing my career due to injury. I had a car accident a couple of years ago, and so when I heard about Skillstrain, I decided to give it a go!
The real big reason behind my taking on this course is my girlfriend. She has been an inspiration to me since we met, and after I complete my course I will be able to get a well paid job and at least try to give her all the things she deserves for being not only an inspiration, but also the driving force behind my decision to take the course. Patty has done so many different things for so many people, that I thought it was about time someone did something for her. Unfortunately, at the moment Patty isn't very well, but with help of the doctor's we all hope she will recover very quickly.D When she does, I want to use my new found skills to enable us to be together, and to be able to live as happy a life as possible.
I have only been studying my course for about 10 weeks, so I have a ways to go yet, but after my initial jitters over the decision to start, I would whole heartedly recommend that anyone with the drive and ambition to get on in life, should without a doubt pick up the phone and call Skillstrain.
This course is going to change my life, completely turn it around, and I can only say a huge thank you to skillstrain for giving me this life changing opportunity.
-Steven
I've worked in IT for years I got my first job as a Heldesk Analyst way back in the heady, pre Y2K days of 1999.
I've slogged away as a desktop support tech for years, but am really looking forward to passing my CCNA at some point in 2009, so I can make the move from the dreary world of 2nd line support into the mysterious and exciting (hah!) realm of the Network Engineer.
-David
Well what I can say, now when I'm with you guys, simply few words of what May came up in future for me.
I just hope it will be better one than it is right now coz myself I'm a bit suffering a long distance from my family and friends I still have back home in Poland.
Anyways thing is they miss me and I miss them, especially family of mine but I still have few friends over there with remember me after all this time.
The worst thing is I don't think I will go back over there, coz life is better out here and now when I'm in front of great chance still struggling in absolutely new world still waiting to reveal, possibilities to came up in front of me.
well I'm just trying to take it easy and just go forward to one day be someone important, well I know it's just beginning but I just know this is only way to be ...
-Michal
Why my Christmas is better with the Skills Train.
I have been with Skill Train for almost 2 years now, When I started with skills train I was working in a super market working night shifts 10PM till 8AM to bring in my monthly wage. This was good fun and a good experience for anyone new to working however for me I was getting tired of it I was travelling to and from work on a bicycle at some of the most awkward times sometimes even nearly passing out on my way home due to tiredness and lack of energy. I knew this was not what I wanted for my life forever. So I joined the skills train to develop my skills further in what I could do best.
My Christmas before I started with the skills train was cold wet and very miserable with not much hope or goals to work up with anything. Since being with the skills train it's given me the since of achievement I have always needed.
Since that day I have applied for a network support role with a company local to where I live they asked me for my qualifications which in all fairness are not allot. I did go to college when I left school and passed a city & guilds in IT Technical Support. This did help however why current employer where very pleased to see that I was studying with the skills train and took interest in what I have been working on.
I have now been in a network support role for just over a year and love every minute of it, the satisfaction I get from solving issues and performing daily routine checks is amazing. I feel like my company are behind me one hundred percent and will do anything they can to help me further my career. Training with Skills train this Christmas will give me peace of mind that I have something to work up to and something to progress with to make my life easier. In all fairness it has already helped me by enabling me to show willingness to pick up and learn anything new regarding Support and a very large area of content within this criterion.
I feel that skills train is great for anyone that has a will to learn and do so at there own pace.
This year Christmas with the skills train is going to be brilliant as I know next year I will be getting closer and closer to finishing my course and progressing that one step further that I need to further my career in IT, I May even look at venturing into the RAF with these skills in my future and having qualifications from the skills train will be a big feather in my cap keeping my fingers crossed for my examination pass.
Merry Christmas to all skills train staff and thank you for your support and education.
-Clinton
Because I've been in the same career for so long and skilltrain has help me realise my ambitions to succeed and proceed into the future with a bright career prospects
-Wayne
Story of My Struggle & Success
I just celebrated my 46th birthday. In December 2006 I received an ad for skills train. At the first look I took it as a normal, not important add but then I kind of started thinking about it how it could bring benefit to my life ,as life hard that time since I had to work to earn enough money for 6 people in the house.
Then as you know I received an ad from skills, after filling it in I contacted them, they fixed am interview for me so they came to see me a couple days after. Mr. Jag was quite satisfied with the overall and I immediately started my ICT hardware course.
During this time of period I faced lots of difficulties, uncertainties but I was struggling not to let myself down on this because it was not easy to give enough time to family and with long working hours 6 days in a week and of course the studying which was not a really easy job either but at certain times my wife & children encouraged not to give up, always kept me on my feet. I felt stronger and decided to stay strong because it is for my benefit after all. I worked hard all night & day which really made a lot of progress and showed my hard working. My average was 99.9 % I was really pleased with my result.
I'm really Thankful to everyone, who helped on every occasion when I needed help to achieve what I want.
My dream is about to become true, to get a good job to secure the future of my family.
-Muhammed
Hi Skills Train .
To tell you all - that taking the CCNA Networking course with Skills Train has made me more financially well off , that I have been given a better job & that I have been promoted would constitute a misrepresentation of my current life & employment status .
However to say that taking the CCNA Networking course with Skills Train has taken me to a level where I have new hope for the festive season & beyond - would be an accurate description of my sate of mind at this present time .
I am working 48 hours a week , in ( what I consider ) the most dangerous Engineering company I have ever been associated with . The working conditions & pressure to both myself & fellow workmates is quite unbelievable . It is a disaster waiting to happen and believe me it Will .
I have a belief that I am a Very Good Engineer , and I would always manage to get a job in this industry but due to the pressures in my present job , I find myself turning my back against a Trade that has supported me throughout my working life . This led me to the doors of Skills Train . I have enjoyed every minute of the course & I find a great interest in the Networking side of Computing . So much ( in fact ) that I have invested in a small Cisco networking lab in which I am mirroring the Live Labs .
I will continue to study over this Christmas period , but It won't get in the way of Family celebrations ------and it ( Skills Train ) will keep my aspirations alive for the future .
Thanks .
Please have a very Merry & safe Christmas - to one and all .
Bye for now
-Robert
Learning with skills train has given me a new chance of a fantastic career. With the new skills I am learning, I am starting to put into practice around the house. I am also very optimistic about getting a better paid job which is also something I enjoy doing.
-Jon
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