OT- the lousy system

I signed up for computer classes at Career Link/Unemployment and took word one day and word two class the second day. Same thing with excel.  I am tired of being computer intimidated so decided to address it.  I wanted to take the more advanced classes.  I mean no one learns computer skills in six hours of each.  Tried to sign up for more classes only to be told that I am not considered a "displaced" worker I am subject to recall by the state of nj and I said to them yes but I am a seasonal employee from march to june what do I do the rest of the year. Collect unemployment for 17 weeks and then what?! Then I was asked to provide the income tax front page from last year.  WTH does that have to do with anything?  I need the classes now not last year!  So of course I can't get the training I need in order to get a better paying full time position and here I am a taxpayer and can't get training and struggling to make ends meet in our house with hubby recovering from an auto accident!  If anyone has any suggestions of where I can get computer training classes and not have to pay because I am not in a position to do so right now I would so much appreciate it.  Sorry for being so long but I am really at wits end.  Thanks in advance. I also checked out the community college at Bucks and they don't do the classes for my situation.

Linda,

Sorry to hear about your situation. It is a lousy system....you are making an effort to become more computer savvy and they are fighting you every step! Did you check your local library? Maybe they might have something....just a thought.

Hope that things improve for you....it seems that we all struggling these days. Keep your chin up!!

Beth

Did you talk to a supervisor, always ask. What I have found with agencies is that almost everyone is confused about the policies. and there is always some way to help someone.
I am sorry that you had to deal with that

Linda,

The library is a good place to start, there are also organizations to help women over a certain age get back into the job market by offering computer classes.  I can't remember the age, but I think it is over 50, a friend of mine took them, can't remember the name of the organization, but google training for women over 50 and see what you come up with. . .

Good luck, I understand how frustrating it can be, just don't give up, keep on fighting for what you need and it will come.

Hugs, Laureen

And what upsets me the most is my job with the state of nj only is from march to june they are not hiring anyone for permanent positions and the people retiring are not being replaced so I work those months with no hope for a full time-perm future and collect for 17 weeks and what about the rest of the year?  So I want to make myself more "hireable" by learning the word and excel and if possible quickbooks so I can obtain gainful employment and survive.All I am asking for is to be taught those skills.

Do you have word, excel, and quickbooks on the home PC?  If you do then there are lots of free places online that have lessons on there to learn them.  A co-worker here checks out the Excel for Dumbies books at the library and works through them at home...

Some other good programs to learn- powerpoint, acess, and peachtree...

If you lived closer I would give you lessons...

Linda, here is a link to Microsoft's online free training courses.   Everything you want to know is online and free.   What specifically are you looking to get from a class???  Feedback from a teacher??   Nowadays most companies just have you use these free online courses (there are plenty out there) and/or pick up a book at Amazon or B&N or the library.  Some onlines even give you a certificate of completion.    http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/training-FX1017827 02.aspx?redir=0    I used to teach these courses way back when and I understand that the biggest intimidation to adult learning is really overcoming the myth that this is something hard to do.   It is not hard, you can easily self-teach.   PM me if you have questions, I'd be glad to answer them and help you out.

Thank you Pam appreciate the words of support I sometimes feel like a doo doo bird.  Keep in mind my daughter grew up with this if you know what I mean.  Jackie I most definitely will go on that link thanks so much.  What I am most comfortable is sitting with someone and being shown how to do the computer skill and I fly with it if that makes any sense.I just feel more confortable in a class room enviorment learning how to do this and that and alot of companies I have applied to want you to know this skills before considering you for the job.I sometimes feel like I "missed thye boat" and I know its not too late I guess I am just scared or intimidated so to speak and I am the gutsy one among others.  Duh!  Thanks so much everyone.

Good luck and hang in there!