How Bad is it?

[gunslinger]

I disagree xylaria..... BR is spot on. There IS work if you really want it. It may be folks are massively overqualified for a particular post and their pride won't let them do a particular job,
but if you're willing to get stuck in no matter what the job is, you'll find something. Till I retired from the rat race recently, I was working in a newsagents for £6.00 an hour and I've done plenty of jobs over the years that I've hated but just got stuck in anyway. My top hated jobs I've done is pilchard unpacker from container lorries by hand. Scaffolders labourer, furniture removals, unpacking waste vegetables from cages (from supermarkets) and cleaning the trays they came in. Turfing cardboard boxes into crushing machines.
I don't think BR was being offensive at all. When things are tough....if you want work you need to pick up the sword. I've chosen to make my own way from now on so don't want a job. I'll do what I can when I can get it, but it'll be what I want to do. I've done the 'any old job no matter how cr@p' bit for too long, and now I'm going to start enjoying my life with very little granted, but I'm very happy now with my freedom. And freedom means more to me than loads of dosh.
But Red is right, you CAN find something if you forget the 'the that job is beneath me' syndrome.

Then you must disagree with me too. Did you actually read my post?
I am not proud and will do anything that brings in money,in my life I have worked as both a dustman and roadsweeper amongst others.
I have applied to supermarkets for various positions all at minimum wage. But then minimum wage is the norm down here,and in fact £6 ph is not bad for Devon.
As to the other unpacking etc they are normally agency positions,so read my bit about agencies.

Yes I could go to London and work but that is not where I live.

BR may well be right in his area, but as most on here seem to be worried about putting their home town or area ,I guess we will never know.
So your final (enboldened) comment is at best patronising.

GS

 

[w00dsmoke]

Before this turns into another Bushcraft UK flaming match as there's too much around here recently, let's agree that there may be some localities where yeagh there is some work, but most agree that any work is very difficult to get in the current climate. And it's certainly not easy for lots of folk who are trying very very hard.

 

[British Red]

Yes I could go to London and work but that is not where I live.

BR may well be right in his area, but as most on here seem to be worried about putting their home town or area ,I guess we will never know.

Hampshire GS

I wasn't having a go at anyone. It is hard. My wife is currently commuting 70 miles+ to her client and I have to work all over to keep going - its certainly not as easy as it was. I've been working nights, abroad, and doing jobs I would not choose. But, its work at the end of the day.

Red

 

[falling rain]

Then you must disagree with me too. Did you actually read my post?
I am not proud and will do anything that brings in money,in my life I have worked as both a dustman and roadsweeper amongst others.
I have applied to supermarkets for various positions all at minimum wage. But then minimum wage is the norm down here,and in fact £6 ph is not bad for Devon.
As to the other unpacking etc they are normally agency positions,so read my bit about agencies.

Yes I could go to London and work but that is not where I live.

BR may well be right in his area, but as most on here seem to be worried about putting their home town or area ,I guess we will never know.
So your final (enboldened) comment is at best patronising.

GS

Before this turns into another Bushcraft UK flaming match as there's too much around here recently, let's agree that there may be some localities where yeagh there is some work, but most agree that any work is very difficult to get in the current climate. And it's certainly not easy for lots of folk who are trying very very hard.

Nothing's going to turn into flaming match w00dsmoke. Unless people allow it to by calling people patronising or the like. Everyone has an opinion and if folks like it or not that's mine.
I have to admit you're right though.........and so are you gunslinger...... I'm from Exmouth in Devon originally and yes I agree that the SW is notoriously difficult to find work. I do believe though if you really get out there you will get something. Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay are all big places, amongst others in Devon. You could even volunteer to work for nothing and hope it leads to a paid position......Cr@p yes, but needs must, if you really want it. How about looking into buying job lots of fish and shellfish off the boats and sell at the bidding markets and pumping it out to the posh London restaurants, get a permit and go for it. Strewth there's thousands of ideas if you let your imagination run riot. Sell punnits of shellfish swamped in vinegar to the grockles. (yes I Know you need a license...........so get one)............oh I don't know.....sit down and think about it.......and then look into it. It takes some effort!
I've started selling books on Amazon and started selling at car boot sales. I bought a Kodak easyshare camera on Easter sunday for £35 and have just sold it for £65. I also bought 2 Wedgewood candlesicks for £5 each so a tenner, and sold them the next day at Tetsworth car boot sale for £25 for the pair. I've made £180 in 3 weeks (since leaving my job) from selling books......... OK not a fortune, but it's better than working for some bozo company with a clown for a boss. How about instead of relying on someone to give you a position you say 'stuff it'. I'll make my own money. Everyone has a skill, whether it be languages, craft, gardener etc. Everyone has something to offer that they can get money out of. Look at moneymagpie.com for some ideas. You can make your own money if you make the effort.
Nothing is impossible (except maybe cycling backwards up Everest on a unicycle) if you make an effort. Be bold.....change you're way of thinking and it will come.
And that's not supposed to be patronising (overused expression nowadays) gunslinger...........it's supposed to be encouraging.
Anyway I hope everyone comes out OK. I still don't know if I will. But I'm giving it my best crack.
Oh and YOU emboldened my final comment gunslinger not me. I hope you find something soon buddy.



[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

 

[Magentus]

The care sector is always needng more staff....

I agree with John - I am a support worker in the West Mids and we always need more people - I love the work but I guess it's not for everyone! Not very well paid and some unsociable hours but great people to work alongside.

Magentus

 

[xylaria]

There seems to be a recession free bubble between worcestershire and hampshire. For those people outside of that bubble the suggestion that they are been fussy about doing jobs that are beneath them is patronising. Staffordshires largest employers (JCB, michelin, vodaphone, npower) are making lay offs, the motor industry in rest of west mids is sinking very rapidly indeed, so are the engineering jobs that supply that industry. The retail sector across the country is contracting at an alarming rate. In reference to the original question if you have a TEFL qualification I would stay abroad in a country that isn't contracting as fast as Britain, or travel around. I have freind that did TEFL in numerous countries, he now is diving and ski-ing instructor. His lifestyle is nomadic between SE asia and switzerland depending on time of year.

 

[sam_acw]

The trouble with TEFL is the contracts are awful, basically just being a temp forever. It isn' contracting as fast here but there are an awful lot of limitations on what I can and can't do due to lack of Polish nationality, the wrong type of contract etc.

I do see quite a few positions being advertised, I guess it is just very very competitive to get them.

Thanks very much for all the replies, it's been very helpful. We've started some planning and sorting out the CVs now.

 

[falling rain]

You're very narrow minded xylaria. People need to start waking up and not expecting an easy ride of life. Life is tough, and it always has been. Look at the Cornish tin miners and the northern fisheries folks. People worked damn hard to make a living. Those guys were tough as hell, an it's just our ''we deserve it all'' culture now that exludes grit.
I don't give a rat's behind anymore about this messed up country. I love to death our beautiful countryside and coastline. I really believe it's the best in the world....really. But I hate the 'let the worlds waifs and strays, into our country and it'll be OK because you can claim human rights..........or any other ridiculous excuse. Come on in everyone from the world........open door over here in England. The land of milk and honey.......I havn't been looked after despite my contributions.........if your born and bread you can go to hell, and if you know the strokes and from a foreign land you can get whatever you want.
Very upset. No money for me, Mr contributer for 30 years. Anyway this is not the place.
Enough of the old 'north south devide' if you don't like it or feel hard done by then damn well move.

 

[gunslinger]

. I'm from Exmouth in Devon originally and yes I agree that the SW is notoriously difficult to find work. I do believe though if you really get out there you will get something. Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay are all big places, amongst others in Devon.

I live in Exeter and I can assure you that it is not as easy as you would like to think.
As mentioned by John and I gather its nationwide,most of the jobs in the paper and jobcentre are in the care industry. For which you need qualifications and the type of personality to do that sort of job.
I have neither.

How about looking into buying job lots of fish and shellfish off the boats and sell at the bidding markets and pumping it out to the posh London restaurants, get a permit and go for it. Strewth there's thousands of ideas if you let your imagination run riot. Sell punnits of shellfish swamped in vinegar to the grockles. (yes I Know you need a license...........so get one)............oh I don't know.....sit down and think about it.......and then look into it. It takes some effort!

Its a bit more complicated than going to the council and getting a permit. A good friend of mine sells shellfish to the grockles at Dawlish Warren and he is struggling.
There are two factors in play one being the different tastes of generations,youngsters now mostly turn their nose up at shellfish.
There is a recession and people are much more careful what they spend.

I've started selling books on Amazon and started selling at car boot sales. I bought a Kodak easyshare camera on Easter sunday for £35 and have just sold it for £65. I also bought 2 Wedgewood candlesicks for £5 each so a tenner, and sold them the next day at Tetsworth car boot sale for £25 for the pair. I've made £180 in 3 weeks (since leaving my job) from selling books......... OK not a fortune, but it's better than working for some bozo company with a clown for a boss. How about instead of relying on someone to give you a position you say 'stuff it'. I'll make my own money. Everyone has a skill, whether it be languages, craft, gardener etc. Everyone has something to offer that they can get money out of. Look at moneymagpie.com for some ideas. You can make your own money if you make the effort.

Now I do find that totally patronising (and yes I do know what the word means),I have owned my own business's in several countries. I have been mostly self employed for 35 years. As stated in my original post I am part employed and part self employed at the moment. So I do not need money magpie etc. I make my own living.
My post was related to the ease of obtaining paid employment in my area,something which would have been nice in the kipper,but I do not desperately need.
Its just not as easy as you seem to think.

Be bold.....change you're way of thinking and it will come.
And that's not supposed to be patronising (overused expression nowadays) gunslinger...........it's supposed to be encouraging.
Anyway I hope everyone comes out OK. I still don't know if I will. But I'm giving it my best crack.
Oh and YOU emboldened my final comment gunslinger not me. I hope you find something soon buddy.

As you can see I do not need to change my way of thinking,I make my own living.But I have been doing it for many years,and in reply to the OP its not that easy in my area to walk into paid employment.

I dont need to find something as my season has just started and I am very busy this year.

My post was not for my benefit,but rather a statement to the OP based on my inability to obtain any employed work this last winter. It certainly does not mean I havent made any money.

[/QUOTE]
[/COLOR]

I will retire from this thread now as my aim was just to advise the OP on the situation in Devon. Take it or leave it,its your life.
GS

 

[locum76]

Apparently Canada is more or less oblivious to the recession, there's loads of bushcrafty space, loads of natural resources, loads of jobs, friendly people etc etc.

I propose we annex Nova Scotia, call it 'The Peoples Republic of New Raymearsia' and have it landmarked by a 20ft permanent keepfire.

Of course we'd have to ban everything that isn't safe or that any of us don't like. :bluThinki

 

[Toddy]

Pretty please, take a big deep breath and maybe think about editing what you've posted in this, " How bad is it?", thread.

I've got complaints piling up over some of the posts and I'm really, really hoping folks will sort it out themselves, and do the whole self moderating bit without the Mods having to intervene.

I know it's hard with such an emotive subject but please stick to the topic and try not to bring insults into it

Toddy

 

[falling rain]

[/COLOR]

I will retire from this thread now as my aim was just to advise the OP on the situation in Devon. Take it or leave it,its your life.
GS[/QUOTE]

Well there you go gunslinger..... picking and choosing when and were to work. No employer is going to employ someone just for the winter at your convenience, for you to dump them when you feel like it.
You also seem like a quite exitable person who likes to use cliches. Everybody seems to like the old 'patronising cliche these days.
It sounds to me like you want work when you want it, as suits you, and you expect there to be something handed over when you're ready, and you earn your own money as it suits you too. You have to fit in with the world..........not the world fit in with you.
I hope this wasn't TOOOOO patronising for you.

 

[robin wood]

I think the problem issue in the UK at the moment is not only lack of work but high housing cost. During the frenzy of the last 10 years we let the cost of housing more than double and I would so often hear people talking gleefully about how good it was that the value of their property had gone up so much, TV and media fueled it with makeover programs etc. The truth was that it just means the majority of folk are all more in debt and the cost of renting has gone up hugely that makes your work options more difficult and more urgent because a few weeks between contracts with large bills is not good.

 

[xylaria]

The trouble with TEFL is the contracts are awful, basically just being a temp forever. It isn' contracting as fast here but there are an awful lot of limitations on what I can and can't do due to lack of Polish nationality, the wrong type of contract etc.

I do see quite a few positions being advertised, I guess it is just very very competitive to get them.

Thanks very much for all the replies, it's been very helpful. We've started some planning and sorting out the CVs now.

Contracts in adult education in britain are often temporary. I have a close freind that has to reapply for the same computer lecturers job every june that way the college can get away with not paying him for the six holidays in the summer. It is also sector that is seeing heavy funding cuts as the government as rather over spent itself bailling out banks. You are right there isn't shortage of jobs being advertised, it is just there are massive amount of people that have been made redundant that are high quality workers, that don't like been unemployed. Last month 2 friends were made redundent both were level 4 qualified, and were in jobs that payed 25k. The microbiologist was turned down for job as a cleaner in a hospital.

I know my nomad freind his general complaint is that no matter where you go on the planet sooner or later the locals will try robbing you, either with dodgy cab drivers with parangs or extortionate tax and bureaucracy.

 

[Toddy]

I think that is such a valid point Robin. When young friends getting married told me they were being offered mortgages five times their joint salaries I thought the world's gone crazy.
The houses don't cost that much to build from scratch, even adding on the price of the land and the utilities brought in.
Greed and short sighted stupidity.

I am reminded of the old adage, "History repeats itself; it has to, no one listens the first time. "

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Kerne]

At the risk of sounding overly controversial:

It ain't too bad at all.

(But then, I don't read the Daily Mail...)

 

[gunslinger]

[/COLOR]

I will retire from this thread now as my aim was just to advise the OP on the situation in Devon. Take it or leave it,its your life.
GS

Well there you go gunslinger..... picking and choosing when and were to work. No employer is going to employ someone just for the winter at your convenience, for you to dump them when you feel like it.
You also seem like a quite exitable person who likes to use cliches. Everybody seems to like the old 'patronising cliche these days.
It sounds to me like you want work when you want it, as suits you, and you expect there to be something handed over when you're ready, and you earn your own money as it suits you too. You have to fit in with the world..........not the world fit in with you.
I hope this wasn't TOOOOO patronising for you.[/QUOTE]

OK well I had retired from this thread as I didnt want this to become personal and sarcastic. It appears from the above that you want to now insult me personally,although you do not know me.
My comment was to the patronising comments used in your reply to my post,not to you personally.
Trouble is I am afraid that you seem to be an expert on how things are in Devon despite the fact that you dont even live here. You also seem to be an expert on my personality and mindset despite the fact that you have never met me.
Yes I work when I either want or need to,and I gave up spending every waking moment chasing money many years ago,my needs are few,and my wants are becoming fewer.
You seem to have a problem with my lifestyle. Why is that?

It appears to me like you would be far more "exitable"sic,than me but that is often the case with keyboard warriors ,is it not.

There I have descended to your level. Happy now.

GS

Mods. if you want to close or lock this thread I am happy to delete this or all my posts.

 

[sirex]

the level of bureaucracy here making life almost impossible

blimey. and you want to come to the uk ?

 

[sam_acw]

I'm 26 and lived in Britain for all but 4 years of my life; I know what it's like! It is less bureaucratic than here.
My wife's only worked there for a couple of 3 month stints and she thinks it is a wonderful place
It's looking more and more likely that we'll be coming back.
Food costs are similar to Warsaw, rental prices here are around £500 a month for a decent flat so no huge differences there. I can get good money here but not 12 months a year, not a lot of demand between mid June and the start of October.
Anyone got any opinions of what it's like in Yorkshire at the moment?

 

[BigShot]

Not as good as Lancashire by a LONG shot.




Sorry...
...old rivalries popping up there, it's not me, I'm from a different generation and don't think like that, I'm sorry.

Some of my best friends are from Yorkshire.