A New Job But At A Gamble

Kimberley

I have 2 jobs, earning me £930 a month from both jobs working 32 hours a week as well as getting £114 a week in WTC/CTC. I pay £75 a week towards my rent and pay £12.54 a week for Council Tax. I had have been looking for a fulltime job for a while now because I won't have the Tax credits to help me forever.

I have now successfully been offered a job as a trainee Bus driver and I start training in November because I have to give 4 weeks notice at my main part time job and a weeks notice at my second part time job.

Now i'm getting worried and having second thoughts. I have received an information pack from the Bus company giving me my training plan. I have to pass the PCV theory and Hazard perception tests during week one of my training. If I pass them I have to do my practical driving test and a Module 3 test as well as a driver competence test (cpc) the second week of training.

However if they feel i'm not progressing to their standards they terminate my employment (they pay you as you train)

My worry is that I am giving up 2 jobs and if I don't make it through the training I will become unemployed and there is no guarantee that my part time jobs will take me back.

I don't want to end up on the dole. I would hate being stuck indoors without a job, i'm a worker and i'd get depressed if I couldn't work.

Do you think I should go for it? It's a big gamble.

Sorry for any spelling mistakes

guardianangel

Firstly congrats on the new role, however, unfortunately you will have to make the decision as to whether you want to make the move. If this is something you want to do go for it, if you put your heart in it you will do it.

I get the feel that you are worrying about the termination bit, this is a standard item in every contract. It may be worded differently but is it in there. It usually comes in the form of a probation period, where you have to past within the first 6 months. You will have reviews and updates where you will be advised whet here you are going down the right route or not and if you're not what actions have been put in place to support you. Don't let this get to you as it is required as you and I both know there will be the odd person that applies, gets the job but actually can not do it and that's when it comes into play.

I hope that helps...good luck x

Kimberley

Thank you.

Probation period is 12 months but I think thats when i'm on my own out on the road I don't think thats how long they give you to learn and pass. The actual training period is 2-4 weeks.

I am at the moment better off working 2 part time jobs because believe it or not because I still get WTC and CTC as well as my 2 wages and free dental and eye care. Crazy really but I want to be totally off benefits and have to look further into the future when i no longer have dependants.

I think the other reason is that if I end up unemployed i'll be unable to pay all my direct debits and won't be able to continue paying off my credit card debts.

guardianangel

So from what you are saying you don't get a contract until you have passed?

t0rt0ise

Nobody can tell you whether to do this or not. If you think you can cope with the tests then go for it. You must have thought that you could do it otherwise you wouldn't have applied so I suspect that you will manage.