SIR,

This year I lost my job and quickly discovered the difficulties this brings; travelling to Abergavenny to sign on, internet access required to apply on-line for jobs, very few jobs available and most involve travelling.

Being unemployed brings with it a sense of low self esteem, lack of confidence and difficulty in 'selling yourself' positively in a CV.

What has really surprised me, however, is that although I have really great qualifications for jobs that interest me, employers are now specifying the qualification ECDL or European Computer Driving Licence is essential.

This means without this qualification my application would probably be 'shredded' on arrival. Armed with this information I approached Monmouth Learn IT Centre and discovered that as I was in receipt of one of the many eligible benefits the ECDL course was very affordable. I committed myself to attending the Centre to complete this course as quickly as possible to help me get a job.

All the staff at the Centre are very helpful, friendly and supportive and I achieved the ECDL qualification in record time. This experience has been so beneficial to me in other ways, by providing me with motivation, a discipline in attending and a feeling of absolute joy when each test was completed. My confidence has improved and I want to go further and take the ECDL Advanced course.

To my delight I was given an ILA (Individual Learning Account) funding brochure and I may be eligible for up to £200 to pay for the course!

I hope others when reading this will want to visit the Learn IT Centre in Church Street, Monmouth and persevere with it, so they to can obtain the help and friendly support that unemployed people really need to keep motivated in trying to get a job.

I'm able to meet with the career advisor soon at the Centre so it's getting better already!

Well done Monmouth Learn IT and thanks - what a great training resource we have in Monmouth.

Julie Barrett

(Monmouth)