Apart from the two women who were already working part-time, three others were making real efforts to find work or make themselves more employable. One young woman was interested in landscaping and had taken a home study course on landscaping and plant propagation and had subsequently enrolled in a short course on landscaping at the local college. She was interested in working in a plant nursery, but there were no such nurseries in her town. Ideally, she would like to own her own plant shop. She did not think she was a good reader or writer, but said she liked bookkeeping. She also made stuffed toys as a hobby. Another woman was working towards taking her GED. She then hoped to get a job in a travel agency. An older woman had taken a Job Action course which had raised her self-esteem and given her the confidence to try to obtain a job. However, she felt that her age was against her. She would have preferred a job to going back to school, but was considering being a long-term careworker. The training for this four month course required a Grade 10 entry level which she did not have, but she said that she would consider going into ABE to attain that level if necessary.

The remaining three women included the two youngest. One of these was at home with her two pre-school children, but hoped eventually to go back to school. The other one had not found work since leaving school, and appeared to have no particular aims or ambitions. The third woman characterized herself as "a 49 year old unemployable". Other comments she made were, "I'm tired. I'm burned out. My values are changing right now and I'm having difficulty focussing." This woman had worked actively in the community as a volunteer and was articulate despite her lower level of formal education than others in the group. Fears and anxiety were uppermost in her mind. She thought women returning to school after being out for a long time would need help with pre-study skills, counselling and personal support. A buddy-system approach would help with the latter, she thought, and instruction should begin with where the learner is at." Clothing was seen as a problem as well.

The two who were working part-time said they had no time for school. They had to work and get on with their lives. One of the women who was 37 years old said that younger people are favoured in the job market and that "married women with children are a fatality in the job market." She talked about the "fears" of going back to school and the "Stress factor" and the long time required to get anywhere. If I got a Grade 12, I'd be several years older and then where would I go? Nowhere. I'd have no experience except what I've already done, so I'd be back to square one. The circle is closed before you get into it. More practical job training experience is required."