Joe is a 35-year-old man who dropped out of school and never attended college. He works a minimum wage job at a local supermarket and is unhappy in his current situation. He feels trapped in his lifestyle and disappointed that he has not achieved more financially or career-wise. Joe wants to improve his job prospects, finances, and self-esteem but is unsure of how to do so without losing face or giving up his current job for financial reasons.

1. Education is a waste of time.
I never went to college.
I didn’t need to pass exams to get
where I am.
Graduates don’t know anything
about the real world.
I didn’t need to pass exams to
get where I am.
Young people need to be out
working.
Glad he’s not got a student debt.
Would like to earn more money.
Is looking for a way out.
Disappointed his parents.
Inadequate.
Disappointment.
Disillusioned.
Trapped in current lifestyle.
Slightly envious of his
brother who had a
university experience.
Joe
needs to improve his
job prospects.
He is dissatisfied with his
current status.
Joeis not happy with his present
position.
He wants to improve his finances
He wants to improve his job prospects.
He would like a more interesting job.
He must do it without losing face.
He must be able to do it alongside his
current job for financial reasons.
He doesn’t fully understand what
college or university is about.
He doesn’t realise that all is not lost.
He doesn’t know what is on offer.
He doesn’t realise that there are others
like him.
He needs to achieve a certificate in
order to improve his self esteem.
Joe, 35 yr old male,
school drop-out..
He has a quick mind but
never tried at school
because it wasn’t cool.
Any ambition he had was
squashed by teachers
and by being told he
would never gain
anything in life beyond
being something like a
warehouseman. He has
never earned more
than the minimum
wage. He is interested
in history and politics.
He works in a local supermarket.
He is unhappy in his job and has
been prescribed anti-depressants
He voices his opinions.
Watches TV documentaries and
reads history books.