Training No 1 - Fund Finding for the Future Update No 1 - 18 January 2012

Although there are and will be problems it seems that full time students are assured of being able to obtain loans to fund their time at Universtity.  Some on the more expensive courses are, it seems, subsidised by those on the cheaper to run courses!  Likewise many of those in employment will obtain support from their employers - in the form of time off to attend courses; a books allowance, travel expenses, etc. Even the tax authorities have been known to chip in with income tax relief , eg for training expenses for certain types of courses and a scheme which I call "buy-a-bicycle". 

But, what of the general unemployed..? Are they able to obtain long-term loans, tax reliefs or other kinds of official support? Yes, I know that "benefits" could be used by the unemployed to "invest" in training  in their future but is it a realistic notion?

I suggest an official scheme of a)  training loans; and/or b) training vouchers. Firstly; they should be aimed at helping the needful unemployed to seek basic knowledge and skills in:

1. reading competency;
2. writing competency;
3. first aid;
4. health and safety;
5. risk assessment; and,
6. time management.

(Of course many students and those in employment may lack some of the last four items but I guess they are not the priority!) 

Level 2 training needs will be dealt with in a later post on this site.

Update 18 January 2012
A Twitter follower had a note that part-time students can get loans but ther only item I have found is that they may be eligible for "tuition fee loans". Is there any way of going the whole hog by offering loans for books, equipment and any protective clothing needed for the part-time courser? Also, what loan  is the non-higher education unemployed person going to be eligible for their future personal development?
  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/DG_194804