I’m unskilled but…..while all my school friends were meeting up on “the corner” to smoke fags, I was dancing.
I’m unskilled but…..at 12 I had my first paid work (voiceovers).
I’m unskilled but…..from 14 to 18 I worked on weekends as a waitress, busser, shop assistant and assistant dance teacher.
I’m unskilled but…..while other friends at University went to 3 or 4 hour-long lectures a week, got drunk every night and lived off pizza, I powered through 11 hour days often with rehearsals afterwards, plus homework, plus cardio and stretching time, plus yoga, plus cooking for myself, plus weekend work in bars and restaurants, plus dealing with injuries and exhaustion. We got to “party” maybe once or twice a year.
I’m unskilled but…..before graduating, I auditioned for a dance-educational company for a year’s contract, got the job and went on to teach workshops to over 1000 school children.
I’m unskilled but…..at 22 I moved to Spain to learn Spanish, could speak fluently within 4 months and then took a TEFL course to teach English as a foreign language.
I’m unskilled but…..with my dance experience I developed a method to teach young children English through movement and dance.
I’m unskilled but…..I’m certified to teach mat Pilates to beginners, intermediate and advanced students.
I’m unskilled but…..I have worked as a telemarketer, production assistant, marketing manager, operations manager, software consultant and marketing consultant – while always continuing to teach dance.
I’m unskilled but…..I have three children aged 5, 8 and 10 and only had 16 weeks leave following the birth of each one. With no family nearby to help.
Im unskilled but…..using ALL the skills I have developed during my life I’m now a self-sufficient, professional business owner – a VoiceOver artist, marketing director, accountant, social media manager, copywriter, blogger, researcher, writer, creator.
If that’s unskilled, then please UK Government, tell me what skilled should look like?
Support the Arts. Support Culture.