Want to go back to college at 28. What are my options?

[MysteryLemon]

I've always wanted a career in engineering. Probably mechanical although electrical floats my boat too. The end result would be a desire to work within the amusement industry.

When I left school after my GCSE, I started a collage course for a level 3 btec in mechanical engineering. Stupidly, I dropped out and got a full time job and I've been working ever since. My career has never really progressed in any direction and although I actually really enjoy my current job, I can't really see where my future lies.

Now I want to know what sort of options are open to me. I can't really go back to college as a full time student as I have a young family to support and still need to work. I have scoured local college websites but everything is only relevant to 16-24 year olds. There is very little for adult learners.

What would be my best option? I left school with a good set of GCSES including C or above in maths, english and science. I understand that considering these were taken over 10 years ago, they are probably irrelevant. Will I need to retake my GCSEs before I could be accepted onto a college course?

What sort of course would I be best going for? I don't want to fast track the learning process. I have no job lined up at the end that I need to get into asap. I want to learn. Would a Btec or equivalent still be a good course? Or should I take A-levels and then look at a university course instead? When I originally started college, the course was touted as the equivelant of 2 A-levels etc. I'm sure things have changed now though.

So, anyone else done it? Anyone got any advice to offer?

Thanks in advance!

[Munter]

Sounds to me like you should talk to the open university. No need to redo your gcse again.

[Slagathore]

Could try and get straigh on an HNC part time? With no previous qualifications in the subject, you may need to do a relevant BTEC beforehand.

2 years doing BTEC part time, 2 years doing HNC part time and then you should be able to get to uni part time for another 2-3 years.

The BTEC on its own is probably worth very little, as is the HNC, really. They are a foot in the door, though, for some employers. When I was looking, companies wanted at least an HNC/HND level qualification for trainee roles. Presumably to then send them on to uni part time until they are fully qualified. I haven't look for ages, so I don't know if people are still looking to recruit like that.

It's a long and expensive process going back to college once you're over 19.

[MysteryLemon]

Had a quick look at the Open University and it seems I would have to take a Certificate for Higher Education course first. It's the only thing I'm eligible for anyway. They don't do one in Engineering as such and recommend a computing and IT course as a substitute. From what I can gather, once I've completed that course, I would be eligible to start one of the higher courses, although all higher engineering courses require that you area already employed in an engineering environment, which wont happen as I don't already have the qualification. So not really all that suitable.

A college Btec or HNC as above sounds like a better idea and as you say, it's a foot in the door that would potentially allow me onto a university course or into employment as a trainee and study through working.

Would I need to complete a keyskills course before being taken on for the btec/hnc though?

[Slagathore]

You shouldn't for the BTEC.

Best thing to do is ring the college and find out who the course tutor is and speak to them.

A friend got on to a higher education course, but had to do a course before. Depending on how long they take (1 or 2 years), you might be better of doing the BTEC first and learning about the subject, rather than just doing maths, english etc. If it is 2 years, then the BTEC would be better suited.

Is the key skills the same as access to higher education?

[205alive]

If you've got relevant industry experience I think some colleges accept that in lieu of entry qualifications. Get in touch with them, some also have open evenings.

[asgoo]

I can offer some university advice. If you want to do a degree, your aiming too low. Someone such as yourself will be able to get onto an access or foundation degree in your interest with a quick interview. The fact that you want to learn is all you have to convey to the admissions person. This takes a year and would be a good transition from work to education, and it would probably be quite easy as well so you could still work part time if you wanted.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I've just done this at 40 years old.

My industry (print) died, and after suffering 4 redundancies in as many years when the recession bit, I realised I could either transfer my management skills to another industry (but I was getting bored and disillusioned with management anyway) or re-train for something else.

I have always loved medicine, but decided that at my age, the full Doctor route was probably a little too far to aim for - plus I wouldn't be qualified until I was nearer 50.

So I decided to become a Paramedic.

This requires a University degree, and in order to get into University, I needed English, Maths and Science GSCE's at grade C or above (which I have already like you) plus at least 2 A levels (which I do not have because I did an apprenticeship at 16 when I left school).

So I could either do A levels, or an Adult Access Course.

Universities LOVE adult access course graduates - the fact that the course is pretty extensive and tailored to the degree (mine was a dedicated access to medicine course) and the fact that adults have lots of life experience, will generally work hard at Uni, not piss about and not get drunk every night (in theory!)

Anyway I loved doing my access course, it was done at the local 6th form college but in the evenings, generally from 6 to 9pm, 4 days a week.

When I applied to my local Universities for the Paramedic course, there are apparently around 25 places at each University for the course, and they get around 400 to 500 applications for these places! A huge contention ratio. However, the fact that I was an adult learner (and got straight distinctions in my access course results) meant that from the 5 Universities I applied to, I received offers from 4.

If you are thinking of doing the same, I would suggest that in my experience it is a GREAT idea, and as an adult learner, you will find getting the place and training you want fairly easy.

By all means PM me if you want any further help!

[Slow]

Not sure what it is like in england. But in scotland you can claim lots of benefits if your full time.

They will pay travel costs, rent, council tax and other things if you have children. There was 3 adults on my course last year with familys.