“Spending all your time with pre-schoolers can make you feel brain dead”, said Joanne.  “Day-time telly and Bob the Builder was turning my brain to mush!”    I was terrified about coming to the PIP – I thought everyone would know everyone else, and that they’d all know more than me, and I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to study!  

However, David arranged for me to meet with Nancy the Guideline Adviser at PIP.  Until I spoke to her I thought I was the only person who felt like that, but she assured me that a lot of the other students felt exactly the same.  She also gave me some exercises to work on to build up my confidence.  David showed me round the crèche and where my class would be, and introduced me and the kids to the crèche workers, so we all knew what to expect.

I started with a computer course at beginners level  and I’m now working towards finishing my ECDL (European Computing Driving Licence), which is a qualification recognised by employers.  I met with Nancy again last week – we’re now looking at how I go about finding a job.  I’ve applied for a few part-time jobs and she’s given me really useful advice about “selling myself” on the application form.  We’ve also worked together on a CV and how I can use that to contact employers.   However, I’ve enjoyed it at PIP so much I’m seriously considering going to college full-time next year!  Nancy is helping me to get information about courses.   

Nancy commented “Many of the students who come along to the PIP are taking their first steps into learning since leaving school.  Many  want to improve their skills in order to increase their confidence and chances of finding work or moving on to a different job.  They find it useful to talk over ideas.” 

Guideline offers FREE, confidential advice to anyone from East Lothian in their local area. 

Guideline can help you if you are- 

• Considering returning to learning and want to talk over what courses are available, and where these courses might lead.
• Trying to find a job after having a break eg to bring up your family, or a period of unemployment due to illness or redundancy
• Unsure what your next step is or can’t decide which direction you want to take.

Nancy is available at PIP every Thursday morning – drop in or speak to Gary or David to book a time slot, or phone her on 01620 827717 to book another time.

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