Lockdown lessons

How many times do you say 'if I only had the time' but work and day to day living gets in the way of learning a new skill?

The U.K. was put into lockdown on March 23, later than some countries and earlier than others. In the U.K. lockdown is not as strict as in some countries but it is still restrictive.

Many people now have more time on their hands than ever before but it is far from a bed of roses. Uncertainty about the future, lack of work, lack of money, daily living stresses, education, safety and so much more means it is not necessarily simple to fill your time and do so productively.

However one thing is certain - when the current Covid-19 crisis abates unemployment totals and financial insecurity may increase.

How about utilising your enforced lock down time to your best advantage?

Researching your future work options and any training needed is still possible if you have access to the Internet. If money is tight during lock down how about online resource Open Learn and its free courses? Check out this link for a wide variety of courses.

Getting your brain cells working may be just what you need. It could provide you with a distraction from the everyday lockdown routine - it could also open doors for you in the post lock down period.

If unemployment totals rise it will be an employer's market. The more skills and knowledge you have to offer the better. Simply engaging in learning now has to be a win win situation for you.

Fancy learning a foreign language? There are various online resources and some, such as this from the BBC, are free.

Future Learn has a good mix of subjects to study for free.

Many of these online resources also offer premium courses for a fee - the choice is yours.

You may simply want to use your lock down time to take up or further a hobby or pass some time. However if you think retraining may be a good idea for when the current crisis is over now is a great time to start.

• Decide what you want out of the lock down learning experience
• Decide if you can pay or the resources must be free
• Research possible careers and check out the essential qualifications.

Exercising your brain is important during times of stress and physical inactivity. Learning can take you to many places albeit virtually for now at least.

The covid-19 crisis has highlighted what work is vital to keep the country and all of us ticking over but will those jobs still be classed as key work when the crisis has passed?

Now could be a great time to learn new skills and update your CV.

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