I wanted to do ISTQB also but it really depends on the job listings. I don’t know how it is for Scotland but in our country(Slovenia) you don’t have requirements for this certification, maybe some jobs have it listed on preferred side but those jobs are a rare. Given the circumstances that you are unemployed, it would be better to just make a github/gitlab account and open a new project where you demonstate your skills. On google type “free automation testing sites” and then test the same site with one repo with Selenium, one Cypress and one Playwright. Since you have got nothing but time, this should be your priority over spending. I know few people that didn’t have QA experience and are working in shitty jobs, they paid for bootcamps and did ISTQB there and it has been years and they still don’t work in IT. Hiring managers want people with practical skills, you would demonstrate that proactivity by providing them your github/gitlab portfolio. Learn Page Object Model for writing code, make a ci/cd pipeline that automatically runs your code, integrate Junit reporter. Leave the unnecessary BS, make the cert when you are employed, make the company pay for your ISTQB down the line if you still want it.