Learn from the mistakes of others

"To do" is the big question.

In general, given that I believe the whole Year 12/post-high-school issue is now a massive stuff-up, first requirement is across the board recognition that there is a major problem in present day post-high-school education/training/vocational preparation. Perhaps B Nelson recognises this, even if he lets himself get preoccupied with more ideological issues like VSU.

We are persevering with a model of an education system which has grown like topsy from what it was in the 1950s, but its basics haven't really changed, even though the employment environment now is dramatically more complex (and will be more so in the next 50 years). The notion of a job for life has gone, getting through a 40-50 year working life with a single set of primary skills/qualifications acquired when you were 18-22 will no longer be possible, and an individual's local employment environment can and will be affected by unpredictable actions and events in far off places (the butterfly effect brought into the job market).

As to your particular situation - I think you're in trouble. I'm guessing that you're in your early 30s, have done a variety of courses, have bounced from one job to another over the past 15 years, and don't believe yourself that you come across well at interviews. Since most employers have fuck all understanding of what those qualifications actually mean WRT what you have learned, what you can do and the alignment of your skills and personality with their requirements for an employee, they will usually rely upon how you are able to communicate and present at the interview, and what your prior employment history is. Bouncing from one job to another and from one course to another turns a lot of employers off.

Bugger of an answer, isn't it?

Innovative self-employment is a very real (and I think attractive) option for you, if you are prepared to bet your life and your future well-being on your cognitive and intellectual skills.

All the best,
mary