I have been working for an agency for just over a couple of weeks now, on one occasion last week they failed to secure work for me, and this coming week unless something last minute comes in it looks like being the same again, whilst a couple of missed days does not concern me right now I do wonder what implications it has for my future work prospects, from what I understand Jan to March is the quiet time for Class 2 work and if I am failing to obtain the shifts I want now what chance do I have then; so should I cast my net further by signing on with another agency?
I have just completed the ADR and Tanks course which I figure might come in handy once I have a little more experience and I am booked in to do the HIAB course next week (with Tockwith Training) so I am hoping this might prove useful in securing the shifts that I want. I have my C+E retest coming up next month (failed the first one by making a car slow down for me at a round-about ) once I have passed C+E I still want to serve my apprenticeship on Class 2 until such a time as I feel comfortable enough to make the step up to Class 1, and I am thinking in the region of 6 months minimum for this.
The (ALLMI) HIAB course I am doing is with the brick clamp attachment - on completion will the qualification cover the use of the hook and clamshell attachments or will it be specified on my certificate as ‘brick clamp’ only? Would it be better if I do an extra course to cover these regardless of what the licence covers? Sorry I should of asked the training provider I know.
I only want to work 3 or 4 days a week and I like the freedom of choice the agency provides and the varied work so being with an agency suits me at the moment.
difficult to say, nothing wrong with going to another agency to and then working from both and picking shifts where you can to what you want. if you have no other job bringing money in then i would, even more so if after next week they fail to get you any work again as you know then that they are taking the ■■■■
MickyB666:
The (ALLMI) HIAB course I am doing is with the brick clamp attachment - on completion will the qualification cover the use of the hook and clamshell attachments or will it be specified on my certificate as ‘brick clamp’ only?
Two places where I have worked I was told that this is as you say - ‘brick clamp’ only and no good for anything else.
Apparently each is separate and each cost about 500 - 600 gbp… as far as I have managed to figure out…
MickyB666:
I only want to work 3 or 4 days a week and I like the freedom of choice the agency provides and the varied work so being with an agency suits me at the moment.
This is probably the problem you have with the agency mate, as you don’t/can’t commit to a full weeks work with a firm, so the agency is limited on where they can/will place you. So you’re probably only being given the filler days that the agency have.
It is a two day course for novices using the brick clamp only, I asked about the other attachments and they told me that realistically there isn’t enough time to change over to the other attachments within the two days as it is quite a lengthy process to swap from one to the other.
Update… I have emailed the training company to get answers for the questions that I have regarding the HIAB training.
nick2008:
Agency’s . Sign on to about 3 of them and play the devil you’ll get at least 4 days that way.
Sounds like a good plan, anyone recommend some good agencies in Nottinghamshire, I was thinking about Best Connection and/or Tomlin?
nick2008:
As for the hiab I didn’t think it took too long to change over, I thought most kit had quick release pipes ■■
I had a super quick reply from the training company, the certificate will specify ‘brick clamp’ but to do the other attachments it is only a 3 hour conversion course at minimal cost, which I can organise with them when I am doing the brick clamp training.
Out of curiosity are you doing upto 20tm or are you going for over 20tm? I also believe there is a remote control element as well which you can have on the card.
JS8576:
Out of curiosity are you doing upto 20tm or are you going for over 20tm? I also believe there is a remote control element as well which you can have on the card.
Upto 20 Ton per Metre using Brick Clamp & Remote Control.
nick2008:
Just a thought . Is any of the training coming under the DCPC point system for your next 5 years
Yes the 14 hours that I require to complete the next 35 hours of DCPC will be added giving me a DQC until 2025, the training provider did me a good deal on this.
I had my first go driving a flat bed rigid today and I have to admit it threw me a bit, I found it difficult to judge distances when reversing without a big box to look at - I expected it to be easier being able to see more.
) once I have passed C+E I still want to serve my apprenticeship on Class 2 until such a time as I feel comfortable enough to make the step up to Class 1, and I am thinking in the region of 6 months minimum for this.
