Reassessment in Lockdown: Where Does Your Future Lie?

The targets and resolutions that were discussed on New Year’s Eve for the 12 months ahead have possibly been put on the backburner or completely shelved.

We are living in strange times. The Covid-19 pandemic has altered almost every aspect of our lives as we enter a ninth week in lockdown in the United Kingdom. Thousands of deaths have been recorded, 60% of the working population have set up home-based offices for the foreseeable future, while thousands of other workers have unfortunately been placed on furlough, or had their employment terminated.

As schools, colleges, and universities across the country have closed, many learners are facing an uncertain future. Exam results will be provided on the basis of projected grades, causing great waves of anxiety to those students who thrive on the last-minute pressure to revise for end of year exams, be it GCSEs, A Levels, or final year exams for your undergraduate degree.

It is a difficult time for everyone, both students and workers alike. And with time, comes reflection. What did I want to achieve in 2020? Can I still achieve that? Do I still like my job? What do I want to do with my life? In lockdown, the greatest gift has been time. Here, Newcastle College talks through some of the educational options available this summer.

Should I go down the university or college route?

Mapping out your entire future aged 17 or 18 is tough. Throw Covid-19 into the mix and you can see why there has been a rise in anxiety among teenagers during lockdown. Not sitting exams is weighing heavily on their minds but learners can rest assured that the normal procedures for UCAS applications and clearing will follow the same path as in previous years.

Last week Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announced a package of measures to support higher education institutions this autumn owing to the unprecedented nature of the 2020/21 intake. The measures include temporary student number controls which will afford the minister the opportunity to provide an additional 10,000 places, 5,000 of which will be allocated to students studying nursing or allied health courses.

Choosing a course that fits your interests can be just the ticket. So, the key question to consider is whether to stick with the traditional bachelor’s degree, or could a foundation degree open the same doors?

Flexible study is one of the key benefits of most foundation degrees offer as courses permit learners to enter full- or part-time study, allowing those with work or family commitments to complete the course. No fewer than 45 foundation degrees are offered at Newcastle College, from business management through to rail engineering.

Use lockdown to make a switch

While many students are trying to consider the best option to start their career, the lockdown has many workers dreaming of something different as they prepare for a new normal. The rise of online education and distance learning has made switching careers much easier and a less daunting prospect.

According to a survey by PensionBee only 16% of UK workers believed they were doing something they saw as their calling, while an additional 34% claim to have fallen into their current positions. A foundation degree allows you to pick a sector you have a passion for and gain worthwhile experience alongside your learning, which makes that drastic career switch a bit less stressful.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have a crystal ball to gaze into a future beyond lockdown. The fear of financial woe can make a career switch seem like the last option but you can discover the best of both worlds at Newcastle College by maintaining your working life and taking on a course that reflects your interests. The additional transferable skills will undoubtedly lead to better career prospects down the line.

Leave lockdown with new skills

HMRC has announced that almost a quarter of the British workforce has been subject to furlough conditions in the past fortnight as the true impact to the economy from Covid-19 take effect. More than 6.3 million workers have been left without work as more than 800,000 companies signed up to the Government’s furlough scheme — a temporary measure which provides workers with 80 per cent of their usual salary, up to £2,500 per month.

Being placed on furlough — a temporary leave of employees from a company due to the special requirements of the employer — by your employer can leave many people feeling depressed and low on confidence. As people adapt to an enforced period on the sidelines, it presents an opportunity to actually develop your skills.

Newcastle College has made a range of free courses for adults available to give people the chance to enhance their skills. Courses range from Healthy Lifestyle Awareness and Introduction to Networking, right through to Employability in Health and Social Care and Mental Health Awareness.

As the curtain falls on the academic year, uncertainty shrouds the next one. There are plenty of options out there for all learners, whether they are students entering higher education for the first time, or workers stuck in a rut who want another bite of the apple. The key thing to do before making your decision though is to do your research. Don’t make any snap judgments and do seek advice if you aren’t sure.