Job for dad -52? driving instructor or HIP provider?

Savvy_Sue

B&Q make a point - or used to - of employing older people, especially if he knows one end of a hammer from the other that might suit?

Agree that it would be good to encourage your mum to do something. Would she like being a midday supervisor in a school? Or a lollipop person?

skippylisa

Hi, I am a recently qualified Driving Instructor (May '07) and really just wanted to say that although the training gets very intense towards the end of the course, it is only for a week, the rest is done to suit you. I completed everything within about 4 months and then started teaching on a trainee licence (you can do this for 6 months and at least start to recoup some of the fees) to gain experience for the final test. I have to admit, this was very difficult, however having failed it the 1st time (apparantly many people do) gave me the experience and better understanding I needed to pass it the 2nd time. I agree that earning 30K would mean endless hours, however I work approx 20 hours a week instructing, I already owned a 4 year old car so paid £160 for dual controls, got free postcards to put up at the College/Uni/Post Office etc and free business cards that I handed out to everyone I met. Rather than using my own details on my roof (board) I advertise a small local driving schools details using their roof board and thus when I need a new pupil and can not find one myself (rarely so far) they pass me a referral free of charge, thus no franchise fees or marketing costs. I understand how difficult it is, however if your dad finds the motivation to train, there are always ways round keeping costs down as low as possible (unfortunately not diesel costs, but fuel cards do help a little!) in order to be able to earn what he needs. So although there are a lot of negatives as mentioned before, I am happy to say that so far it has been a great experience and I get lots of job satisfaction as well as new friends!

seven-day-weekend

kathy_b wrote: »

Hey thanks.
Good points about he HIP and driving instructor courses.
Garden Centre job or Asda standy aroundy bloke would be great for him but not sure that it would pay enough.
My dad is certainly not thick but I just don't think he has the stomach right now for something stressful - so I guess that rules out bus driver and traffic warden and he gravelled over his lawn so he didn't have to mow it!!!!! Postie would be good. I'll register him on the Royal mail site. Cheers!

They are called greeters!

custardy

epsilondraconis wrote: »

I'm guessing he'd like something 9-5 and no unsociable hours.

How about a job in a garden centre?

I've always fancied that. Trouble is I'm only 34. Hmmm, maybe in a few years time.

Errr, what about a postman - although I guess they have unsociable hours. Although thinking about it, our postman/woman seems to deliver whenever they want. Perhaps its not as unsociable for the postie as I first thought.

Anyway, some more ideas needed.

What about a traffic warden?

Bus driver - although the bl**dy kids would drive me around the bend. Perhaps not.

Gardener / groundsman.

What about the person in Asda that stands at the main entrance? Not too sure what they have as a job description. Arrive at work, stand, go home.

Does he have an Ikea near him. How about doing something in there?

Tattoo artist? I guess I'm running out of ideas now.:rolleyes:

I hope he finds something soon that will make him happier.:o

unless he wants part time work with no sick pay for a minimum of 12 months then i wouldnt say its a good choice
RM run a seniority system so new starts get the worst,longest duties
not something i would want in my 50's

jobbingmusician

If his wage doesn't cover his outgoings, he might also like to get over on to the debt free wanabee board, and the old style board, to find painless (and I stress painless) ways to cut that £90 off his spend each month.

It does sound as if your mum's self-confidence might actually be improved if she could find a job, but I can see it's a vicious circle.

HTH - JM

brightonman123

at first glance, i reckon more people would need (want) a D/I, rather than an HIPS agent..?

need to check if local area is already covered by the big boys, so not chasing the same market.

when qualified, may also be worth considering doing deals with large firms nearby- a ready source of punters!

foreign_correspondent

What are his interests/hobbies? that might be a good starting point.

Otherwise, how about - working for local authority, maybe as a community centre caretaker?- speaking to a guy who was a new starter in that role, at a similar age tyour dad, he was loving the independance and being able to just get on with his work without too much stress.
or school caretaker?
http://www.thecaretakers.net/CMS/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=1&id=69&Itemid=43

Taxi driving can pay well (my OH's dad started doing it at 50) but can mean deaing with drunk ppl and anti social hours if you want to make the best money, however some do monday to friday daytimes and still do ok.

Best of luck to your dad anyway!

fc x

LilacPixie

my dad took early retirment from engineering at the ripe old age of 57. by 58 he was board and now drives a minibus for a local special needs school. He collects the kids in the morning and takes them home in the evening and gives their parents/carers a report of how they have been plus does the whole school trips/swimming thing too.

money is reasonable i think.

London_Exile

I would go for the driving instructor TBH. Can't see the HIPS pack being around for much longer tbh. It was just naother piece of poorly drafted legislation and has done nothing to help buying and selling houses.