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Got an issue that's been running around in my head for the last few days that I could do with some advice on.
I got made redundant back at the end of August from my main job and also left my part-time job I'd been doing while on furlough mid-October. At the beginning of November I had managed to secure funding and a place on a HGV driving course for late December and had leads for a few agencies that were happy to take on newly qualified drivers and place them in roles with major companies so everything was looking hopeful. That course date got pushed back to late January due to the Welsh lockdown and then again pushed back to March for the same reason. Nothing I can do about that, it's just the way things are.
The course was meant to happen last week but 2 weeks ago it again got pushed back to early May. So that's 6 months from the original date. Thankfully I got a decent amount of redundancy pay from my old job and have been able to get UC and JSA payments going thanks to advice on here. All of that is ok and not what I'm worried about.
What is concerning me is that I have 6 weeks to go until the current course date and it looks like that will cover the period of everything slowly reopening again and those companies that are in a position to need staff will be employing. If the course is pushed back even further I may have to abandon it and start looking for any work I can find as my savings are now getting low enough that I will be close to not running out but not having enough to cover the costs of moving to where the work is*. While moving is not a high priority right now having the flexibility to do so if that's what's needed to secure a decent job is. The added complication is if I secure work before completing the course I lose the funding and the priority place that comes with it, new places are currently unavailable within the next 6 months.
The question is: Do I risk waiting for the course to happen in May with the possibility it gets pushed back further, with the potential that I completely miss the rush of recruitment that could happen over the next 4-5 weeks or give up on the course and just secure any work I can find now? I do have the option to move back to my parent's house if things really go tits up so there is a safety net available for me but I really want to avoid that if at all possible for a multitude of reasons. My current thinking is to wait for the course and then I can take whatever work is around, then look at moving to a better job at a later date but I'm having massive amounts of self-doubt that I'll miss the boat and end up having to get a crappy job and working all the hours I can just to get by. I really don't work well indoors constantly hence looking at driving jobs. It's what I know and I enjoy the whole travelling, mechanics of the vehicles and outdoors nature of it all. I even enjoy the whole trying to keep to a schedule aspect.
Anyone with views on it? I think I'm just starting to panic as I've never been in the position of being out of work before, let alone for half a year! I've also been in the position of working crap jobs and struggling for money (which led to high levels of debt) and going back to that point is something I'm absolutely desperate to avoid.
* Yes I am well aware I have a project thread running right now that is costing me money. That is already budgeted for from savings accrued before the redundancy as is also a new bike that is sorely needed to keep me mentally sane! Both were planned, budgeted for and started in November so around the time the first course should have taken place. If it comes to it I will sell them both to keep food on the table but would like to avoid that if at all possible.
Can you not keeping looking for new roles whilst you wait for the course to happen? If something else you like comes in before it start, brilliant, if not you’re in no worse position.
Worst case, you take something and have to leave at short to take the course on. It’s not ideal but the probation period for is for both employer and employer.
I’m a firm believer that you don’t stop looking for a new job until basically your first day.
Have you booked your hazard n theory as that might be a delay more than the practical stuff.
My hazzard n theory is done just need to sort lessons out now
Luckily I already have my Theory, Hazard Perception and DCPC sorted from doing my C1 license a few years ago. They are all the same level for HGV Class 2 so haven't had to worry about them, it actually accelerated me up the queue with the training school and saved me having to fund them all myself as the funding I've been granted only covers the actual course and physical test.
The issue with looking for work now is if the funding scheme get wind of you actively looking for work not related to the course you applied for they can pull your funding, the same if you take a job. It's literally sit and wait or go looking, no hedging your bets at all. I actually got a warning for looking at other jobs as I applied for a tech job at TF Tuned that didn't go anywhere. If I did become aware of something that was too good an opportunity to miss I would definitely apply for it but it would be a big risk to take right now unfortunately.
I hope I'm just getting nervous about breaking the 6 month barrier for not working and that things will work out soon, it's definitely not doing my mental health any good.
If you need some work, take what is going. If the course comes up, quit the job.
It a job, you aren't getting married, employers drop staff with no qualms when it suits them.
(I doubt the course people can stop you taking casual employment while waiting, that does not sound lawful)
The issue with looking for work now is if the funding scheme get wind of you actively looking for work not related to the course you applied for they can pull your funding, the same if you take a job.
How would they know you were looking? Or even if you started something?
Realistically, they can’t expect you to wait indefinitely. Find something casual and zero hours, if you get any questions then you can just say it’s to tide you over and you can resign at short notice.
I can’t see how they’d kick you off a course which hasn’t started yet for taking work whilst you wait, that seems very dodgy. I’d be intrigued to hear their justification for not being happy about you applying to TF for instance.
It's all in the contract I had to sign to be granted the funding. If I seek or obtain work while waiting for the course to start I forfeit the funding. I also have to pay back the funding if I do not successfully complete the course too, basically I pay for retests until I pass. It's a government scheme by the way, REACT that was funded by the EU Redevelopment Fund so I have to play by those rules. I knew all this going in, it's the 6 month delay that's causing the issue.