A. In answer to your question, yes, it is entirely possible for you to remain working for your current employers on a PAYE basis whilst working for yourself. You will have to register as self employed and complete an annual self assessment tax return. When you do the tax return you can record details of any PAYE income.

I have attached a link to the Business Link Website that can offer you support and further advice. (it will provide you with a link to enable you to register)

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073875654

Hope that helps but if you need any further information please don't hesitate to get back in touch !

Best of luck !

A. I’m so sorry to hear about your problems. Often its during times like these that we decide to take a break to re evaluate what we want to be doing and how we are going to cope with childcare without another partner present.

You don’t mention what your degree is in or whether you want to teach secondary or primary age children. I would imagine its all pretty up in the air at the moment. I have set out below everything I put my hands on with regards to what financial assistance you may be eligible for. Its not a definitive list though and I would definitely advise you speak to a benefits advisor to confirm the details are still correct. If you want any more info on the careers side of things rather than financial, please do get back to me with more info ! Best of luck !

Basically.....

If you're a full-time higher education student with dependent children, you may be able to get extra financial help. The Childcare Grant can help with childcare costs, and the Parents' Learning Allowance with costs related to your course. Other help includes Child Tax Credit and the Access to Learning Fund.
Financial help for parents in higher education
Full-time students with children may qualify for extra financial help on top of the standard student finance package. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get:
• the Childcare Grant (to help with childcare costs)
• the Parents' Learning Allowance (to help towards course costs - like books, materials and travel)
• help through the Access to Learning Fund (if you're in financial difficulty)
• Child Tax Credit
Childcare Grant and Parents' Learning Allowance
If you qualify, the Childcare Grant could cover as much as 85 per cent of your childcare costs during term time and holidays - up to a maximum of £148.75 per week if you have one child, or £255 per week if you have two or more children.
The Parents' Learning Allowance could give you between £50 and £1,508 for 2010/11 or 2009/10.
How much you get depends on your household income - and, for the Childcare Grant, the actual costs of your childcare. Any help you get is paid on top of the standard student finance package, and doesn't have to be paid back.

Who can apply for the Childcare Grant?
You can apply if you:
• are a full-time student
• have dependent children under 15 - and they're in registered or approved childcare (childcare that qualifies for the grant)
• have dependent children under 17 with special needs - and they're in registered or approved childcare (childcare that qualifies for the grant)
If you, get the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit, you won't be able to get the Childcare Grant as well.

Types of childcare that qualify
Not all types of childcare qualify for the Childcare Grant. The conditions your childcare provider needs to meet vary depending on where in the UK you study.
Who can apply for the Parents' Learning Allowance?
You may be able to get the Parents' Learning Allowance if you're a full-time student with dependent children. You can apply whether or not you get the Childcare Grant.

Access to Learning Fund
The Access to Learning Fund can provide support for students on lower incomes who run into financial difficulty. Universities and colleges decide how to distribute payments, but students with children - and especially lone parents - are a priority for the fund.

Child Tax Credit and other benefits
You may also be able to claim Child Tax Credit from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The amount you get will depend on your personal circumstances and income.
Money you get through the Childcare Grant or Parents' Learning Allowance won't be counted as income when working out your entitlement to tax credits or other benefits.
Benefits and financial support for students
If you’re doing a higher education course, you can apply for student finance to help fund your studies.

Full-time students can’t usually claim income-related benefits as well - but part-time students and certain groups of full-time students (including lone parents !) are sometimes eligible.

However, the rules on eligibility can be complex, and whether you can get income-related benefits will depend on your personal circumstances.

Where to go for advice
If you’re already claiming income-related benefits and want to start a higher education course, you should ask Jobcentre Plus and/or your local authority's Housing Benefit section how this will affect your benefits. You really need to contact your local Jobcentre Plus for the nitty gritty of what you can claim.

Part-time students in higher education can also apply for income-related benefits if they’re on a low income and meet the relevant conditions. They don’t have to fall within one of the particular groups listed in the Income Support or Housing Benefit regulations.
Which income-related benefits might you be able to claim?
Being a lone parent, whether you can get income-related benefits will depend on your personal circumstances - including your income and how much you have in savings.
Income-related benefits you may be able to claim are:
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance
• Council Tax Benefit
You can find out more by checking www.direct.gov.uk or calling your local Jobcentre Plus


Jobseeker's Allowance

Full-time students
If you’re studying full time and a single parent, you may be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance during the summer holiday.

Part-time students
If you’re studying part time, you may be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance if you are:
• out of work or working less than 16 hours a week on average
• capable of working
• available for work
• actively seeking work
You must be willing to go to a job interview, even if you have to take time off from your course. You should also be prepared to rearrange your hours of study to fit around a job.

Working Tax Credit
You may be able to claim Working Tax Credit as either a full-time or part-time student if at least one of the following applies to you:
• you’re aged 25 or over and normally work at least 30 hours a week
• you’re responsible for a child or young person under 19 in full-time education at a level below NVQ level 4, degree, HND or equivalent - and you work 16 hours or more a week
• you have a disability which puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job, satisfy the HM Revenue & Customs ‘qualifying benefit’ test or ‘fast track’ rules, and work 16 hours or more a week

If you receive the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit, you won’t be able to claim the Childcare Grant as well.

Child Tax Credit
You may be able to claim Child Tax Credit if you are a student and are responsible for a child.

Council tax and full-time students
Full-time students may be exempt from paying Council Tax, or eligible for a reduction in their Council Tax bill. Find out how to claim from your local authority, then ask your college or university to supply proof of your full-time status as a student.

Income Support

As a single parent you may also be eligible for income support. Again, you need to contact either your local Jobcentre Plus or www.direct.gov.uk

A. To become a qualified plumber you will need the full NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing (Domestic).
City & Guilds (6129) Technical Certificates Level 2 Basic Plumbing Studies and Level 3 Plumbing Studies
City & Guilds (6089) NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Mechanical Engineering Services – Plumbing (Domestic).
Only the NVQ qualification at level 3 will fully qualify you as a plumber. However, the Technical Certificate covers the theory and some of the practical skills you will need before you can move on to the NVQ.
Competition for places on courses is strong , and college entry requirements will often include an aptitude test.
See the SummitSkills website for further information on entry routes into plumbing, training providers and qualifications.
Apprenticeships
You may be able to become a qualified plumber through an Apprenticeship scheme. Contrary to common belief they take adults of all ages! To get on to a scheme you will normally need four GCSEs (grades A-C). The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. To find out more about plumbing Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
Short courses
A number of organisations offer short intensive training courses, some with home-study options. To make sure that these are industry-recognised and accredited, you need to contact your regional City & Guilds office with the course provider's details.
For Further Information you could contact:
Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE)
64 Station Lane
Hornchurch
Essex
RM12 6NB
Tel: 01708 472791
http://www.iphe.org.uk

http://www.skills4business.org.uk

Gas Safe Register
Tel: 0800 408 5577
http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

Joint Industry Board for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services
Tel: 01480 476925
http://www.jib-pmes.org.uk/

To qualify as an electrician, you must have the Electro technical Services NVQ at Level 3 (course code 2356), which is awarded by City & Guilds and EMTA Awards Limited.
As with plumbing you may be able to get into this career through an Apprenticeship scheme.
If you are not eligible for an apprenticeship scheme you could take the City & Guilds (2330) Technical Certificate in Electro technical Technology NVQ levels 2 and 3 at a college.
The Technical certificates cover the theory and some of the practical skills needed for the NVQ. However, to become fully qualified you must complete the work-based NVQ
For further information you could contact:
Electrical Contractors Association
http://www.eca.co.uk

SummitSkills
Tel: 08000 688336
http://www.summitskills.org.uk

All the above information sums up what you will have to do in order to qualify in either of the fields you mentioned.
In respect of becoming self employed there are several agencies that will be able to provide you with reams of information. I have listed some of them below:
Business Link
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk
Phone: 0845 600 9006

Business Gateway
Website: www.bgateway.com
Phone: 0845 609 6611

Flexible Support for Business
Website: www.business-support-wales.gov.uk/
Phone: 03000 6 03000
Citizens Advice provide a handy fact sheet covering these issues, which also gives details of other sources of help and advice. You can download the fact sheet from the Citizens Advice Bureau website.
HM Revenue & Customs
HM Revenue & Customs provides a helpline for people who have become self-employed, where you can register and get help with tax, National Insurance and VAT. Other services include a nationwide network of business support teams and advice about tax credits.
You will need to contact HM Revenue & Customs before you start working to get a good idea of what the procedures are.
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk
Phone: 0845 915 4515
Best of luck with your exciting new career ! I hope the above is helpful but feel free to pop back if you need any more help !