Furlough – What it means for your learning opportunities

Even though the government has started introducing phases to bring us out of lockdown and get people back into the workplace, the reality is – it may be a while before you can safely return to work.

So what can you do with this time? How can you make the most of it?

For a lot of people, furloughing has stopped them from getting new/additional part-time jobs (to help them pay the bills) or from undertaking other roles within their employers businesses. Now, while this is ideal for many who have got kids at home, this extra time could be used to enhance your work skills/qualifications.

How can you learn while furloughed?

You may be trapped at home, but there are many ways you can expand your skillset without you having to leave the house.
Take the following:

Online courses require no college registration or classroom attendance, but can be completed at a time and pace of your choosing. This means you can tailor your chosen online course to work around your family commitments, AND gain a valuable qualification that will make you even more enticing to employees.

At the same time, furloughing gives you the chance to assess your current job situation and determine your satisfaction levels. Are you where you want to be in your current career, or do you want more? If it is the latter, then you can use online courses to spruce up your CV and improve your odds of getting a promotion/a new job once the Corona situation has calmed down.
Likewise, if you’re unhappy in your current job, you can use this time to assess your likes, dislikes and hobbies, and decide if any could be transformed into a new career. You never know – your love of photography could be turned into a rewarding new business.

In other words, being furloughed is an opportunity to re-evaluate your life and use this added freedom/time to research new avenues (should you find you want a career change). So while for some furlough is a frightening experience, don’t let it be one for you. Instead, use this time to your advantage and consider the possibility of learning something new.

To learn more about our range of online courses, visit our website today.