I’m due to start my lessons and take my practical test for Cat C also my Mod 4 after a very successful passing of my theory’s…
But I’m so worried that if I pass… there is no job to go too, all the money it costs to obtain my licence could be in vain.
I’m currently 41 years old and a bus driver in Birmingham… I’m fortunate that despite the current situation we’re in, my job is secure, but I hate it! & was hoping that by obtaining Cat C licence it would get me away from the buses & my hope was to land a job that doesn’t have shifts, enabling me to have a better work life balance.
Is this possible? or am I just being naive! Should I stop before I spend more money?
On agency, even if you get regular work, most likely they will pay you through 3rd party umbrella company. If you on umbrella, whatever rate they promise you gross, take approximately 30% off, this is what you will get on hand. Rates can look nice but my income dropped when I was driving on agency full time.
milesahead:
On agency, even if you get regular work, most likely they will pay you through 3rd party umbrella company. If you on umbrella, whatever rate they promise you gross, take approximately 30% off, this is what you will get on hand. Rates can look nice but my income dropped when I was driving on agency full time.
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And in most cases this gross amount will include your holiday pay as well…
Monkey241:
Your workload balance possibly won’t improve… it’ll change.
I start anything between 2 am and 11.
Average start probably 5.
13 hour days arent uncommon.
Flip side is the money is quite good.
My perception is there are still jobs out there…decent ones are trickier.
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Thank you for reply… I don’t mind early starts, I’d love to be home evening and weekends but I am a realist and know this is tough to get but one can dream lol
Agency seems quite a scary route… going from a permanent income to a chance of not.
I’m going to finish going for the licence and se what’s what after, still not overly hopeful but if you don’t put a £1 on the lottery you will never win! Right lol
If you currently work 5 days get some agency experience on your odd spare days, that will help and might open a door. You will also see the difference between loads that have to be unloaded compared to ones that get off themselves but answer back. All the best go for it, im sure with bus experience (basically a class C with lots of seats) you should have more chances than the average newbie.
Try WHSmith Distribution Centre in Birmingham. They take on Class 2 new passes. 5am or 3pm start Monday to Friday. See if you can get employment directly, otherwise go the agency route.
lol