Career shift with a disability
My boyfriend injured his back when he was young and now has mechanical destruction of the spine. In about two years he may end up in a wheelchair. He is currently an HGV driver and has some time to change his career. He has decided to pursue his interest in computers. The Job Guidance Centre claims they can only help him when he is in a wheel chair. But he is not the sort of person to claim on social and wants to do something about it now. Who should we ask next?
I suspect that you’ve spoken to the wrong person, but it’s shameful that someone in that position did not give you details of others who may be able to help. If you spoke to a disability adviser at the Job Centre, they don’t have to deal with people unless they are registered as disabled. However, they should have told you that there are careers advice services for adults, open to everyone and able to provide the guidance your boyfriend needs.
Your local Careers Centre is the best place to contact in order to find out more. Or contact the Learning and Skills Council for your area. There’s a full list with contact details on their site. Adult advisers are part of something called an Information Advice and Guidance Partnership and there’s one in every part of the country. The adviser should be able to talk through career and retraining options that will help your boyfriend move on. I wonder if his knowledge of the transport industry could be used in a different way – perhaps an office job with a haulage company? Hope this helps and that you find the right people to move things on for both of you.
Now read this: Career shift
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