View Full Version : Jobs in Caithness
So are there any? Apart from the few that are advertised? Or is it a closed shop?. Whats your opinion?
Tugmistress
24-Oct-11, 22:28
Very much a closed shop unless like me you are cheeky and lucky lol
I think "closed shop" is too strong a term. It infers some sort of secrecy or underground tactics!
But yes, many jobs will never be advertised and are often filled by recommendations or word of mouth. That happens everywhere, especially so in a small community.
I think successful job seeking in Caithness has to be a lot more "out and about", speaking to employers and offering your services as opposed to waiting for an advert to arrive in the paper.
chocolatechip
24-Oct-11, 22:46
there is really no jobs!! I'm looking for work myself and very time I'm in Wick, I always look in shop windows and see if there is anything going about plus here on the org, and the local paper. Its aboustley hopeless.
My observation is it depends on your skills and what you want to do. And how widely you cast the net. There are quite a few employers that work in Caithness but are not based here, don't forget them.
I have seen a few adverts that would probably suit but one candidate, but that is the sign of a great advert.
There is a whole bunch on the org now with a wide variety of skills.
So are there any? Apart from the few that are advertised? Or is it a closed shop?. Whats your opinion?
Its a closed shop.
What is meant by closed shop. Do you mean closed to incomers, or school leavers or people from certain areas, what?
I've had three local jobs since I moved here 31/2 years ago so it certainly isn't my experience.
weezer 316
25-Oct-11, 12:27
Its a closed shop for sure! Try getting into Dounreay. Unless your name is Bremner or Coghill, or you have a pal there your are stuffed. I was asked for my cv a few weeks ago for a mate for some jobs going. Its never been advertised. I havent heard a peep back but thats basically the only hope you have.
What is meant by closed shop. Do you mean closed to incomers, or school leavers or people from certain areas, what?
I've had three local jobs since I moved here 31/2 years ago so it certainly isn't my experience.
There are few jobs advertised and of those that are, there appears to be suspicion of anyone from outside Caithness applying for them.
"A closed shop",
and if you are lucky enough to find work, few employers in Caithness are willing to pay that employer the wage they are worth.
It appears it is minimum wage only, not a lot of incentive there I think.
It is with little wonder that so many young people are forced to move away.
:)
Its a closed shop for sure! Try getting into Dounreay. Unless your name is Bremner or Coghill, or you have a pal there your are stuffed. I was asked for my cv a few weeks ago for a mate for some jobs going. Its never been advertised. I havent heard a peep back but thats basically the only hope you have.
First of all Dounreay, for the most part, arn't the employer there must be 30 major employers plus many more smaller contractors. They all recruit themselves and many advertise here on the org. There are a great many different and diverse skills in the nuclear decomissioning industry. I would look on the specialist recruitment sites if you are looking for that kind of work. BTW I know a bunch of people that work for various companies working at Dounreay and none have either of those names. Bit of paranoia there I think.
Also have a look at the Nuclear Skills Academy Scotland site: http://www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk/office/scotland-regional-office also here: http://www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk/providers/edeta-training-services-ltd-scotland for modern apprenticeship info.
weezer 316
25-Oct-11, 13:07
Well I can honestly say I have applied to dounreay probably a least 20 times in the past 11 years and have only once had an interview. I have seen people who are literally useless get jobs there ahead of, on the face of it much more qualified and competent people. That interview I had btw threw up the interesting fact that NONE of the interviewees got the job, someone already onsite did! And I have been informed this is hardly a rare occurance.
I swear, bacbcock, DSRl, morson, NDSL etc, tried the lot, just not happening. And I am no fool.
Cheers for the links, im 27 though, bit old for an apprenticeship!
Well I can honestly say I have applied to dounreay probably a least 20 times in the past 11 years and have only once had an interview. I have seen people who are literally useless get jobs there ahead of, on the face of it much more qualified and competent people. That interview I had btw threw up the interesting fact that NONE of the interviewees got the job, someone already onsite did! And I have been informed this is hardly a rare occurance.
I swear, bacbcock, DSRl, morson, NDSL etc, tried the lot, just not happening. And I am no fool.
Cheers for the links, im 27 though, bit old for an apprenticeship!
OK Not trying to teach you to suck eggs. Have you tried Nuvia recently? They were recruiting, they have about 200 peeps in Thurso now.
i know some one that has been told by the job centre to find work before next year or they benifits will be cut if they find a job they will need child care where will they find one thats not full its not a case of them not looking but no jobs
It depends on what you're looking for - some people are too posh for the work that's available...
My OH got a job 'by accident' when someone came to do some work for us and my OH acted as a labourer to keep the costs down. Saw he was a hard worker and offered him a job :)
pig whisperer
25-Oct-11, 19:14
my daughter has managed to find herself 2 part time jobs, 1 was advertised on the org, & the other was when she saw an ad in a hotel wanting staff, she asked about it & was taken on. right place, right time. like a lot of things in life.
my daughter has managed to find herself 2 part time jobs, 1 was advertised on the org, & the other was when she saw an ad in a hotel wanting staff, she asked about it & was taken on. right place, right time. like a lot of things in life.
That's the problem.... as an unemployed adult either myself or my partner need at least 30 hours before we would qualify for working tax credit yet most of the jobs out there are 16 hours or less.
Caithness, these days, is as dry as the Sahara Desert for jobs. For 21 years after leaving school I had a few different jobs, all of them pretty much unskilled store, delivery and Bar work, and I never had any problem finding full-time work. There was always work out there if you really wanted it. But now, there is just nothing out there. Granted, due to a degenerative condition with my back and knees, manual labour or extended periods of time on my feet are simply a no-go area. So it's only work which would allow me to be seated that I could now do, which is something I have found impossible to obtain. I have not even managed to secure so much as an interview over the last two years. I have applied for the few jobs that I am capable of doing, but as I have no previous experience in the type of work I am now limited to, and there are so many people applying for the few jobs that are available, *many of them with previous experience in that field* I just can't get a foot in any door. And even looking at the kind of work I did since leaving school, there is still next to nothing out there. Caithness really has become a ghost town for jobs. And full-time jobs seem to have been consigned to the history books, as I'm led to believe it's cheaper for an employer to have 4 employees doing 10 hours than 1 employee doing 40 hours. And it seems that the biggest proportion of unskilled work goes to those under 21, as they are cheaper to employ.
I foolishly left school with no qualifications, as I went straight to full-time work as soon as I was able to leave school, I didn't even bother sitting my final exams. I thought they were a waste of my time, and would just eat into time I could spend earning a wage. And oh boy do I regret that now, as I never factored on my body packing in on me before I was 40. I have done a couple of College computer courses in the last couple of years, just to get some kind of paper qualifications, but even those have made sod all difference to my jobs prospects. I would take any amount of hours in a job that I could do, as it would make no difference to any Benefit payments (as I get not a single penny in Benefits. My wife works full-time, and the Government say that one wage is enough for two to live on. I'd love to see that smug git David Cameron try to get by on what we have to) but with so many people chasing the few jobs that are out there, gaining employment in these times is one hell of a task.
*I know this is true, as I applied for a job at the same company twice, and was rejected twice. I politely enquired as to the reason I had been unsucessfull, just to find out if I had gone wrong somewhere with the application. But I was told it was only because so many people with previous experience had applied.
orkneycadian
25-Oct-11, 23:26
I think "closed shop" is too strong a term. It infers some sort of secrecy or underground tactics!
But yes, many jobs will never be advertised and are often filled by recommendations or word of mouth. That happens everywhere, especially so in a small community.
I think successful job seeking in Caithness has to be a lot more "out and about", speaking to employers and offering your services as opposed to waiting for an advert to arrive in the paper.
Exactly - Too many folk expect their dream job to be handed to them on a plate - It just doesnt work like that.
At the risk of banging the same old drum (feel free to point this out if you wish! ;) ) , we don't help ourselves very much in keeping jobs local. Every telly or book bought bought over the internet is another nail in the coffin for local retailers and therefore jobs - Every pot of German made yoghurt bought from a German owned supermarket is less demand for local dairy farmers and potentially another local dairy job less. But everyone wants the best deal they can get in Asco's, and don't care what its doing for the local economy.
And presenting an image to new potential industries that "Caithness doesnt want renewable energy and thinks its a waste of time" wont do much to help secure any jobs in that market either.
As Theone says, you need to be out there speaking to people and getting your face seen and your name known. Waiting for an ad to pop up in the paper is'nt likely to be very rewarding....
Here is a top tip if you are fed up of sending off endless CVs to no avail. Find out who in an organisation you would be working for. Phone them, you will have to be persistent it might take many attempts to get past the receptionist.
When you finally get them on the phone introduce yourself and launch into the 'elevator pitch' that is, in no more than two minutes (that is about all you will get) why you should be working for them and why they need to meet you now.
This is an approach I have used successfully on more than one occasion. You may find that they are fed up of reading endless CVs and a fresh approach might well get their attention.
I have been left school for 15 years and it is only now that I'm getting to do my "dream job". I find that in most cases of people who can't find work it's not the fact there are no jobs it's because they don't want to wash dishes, clean, work weekends, make beds etc etc I have done all of these jobs and the money is just the same as any other job. Jobs don't land in your lap you need to get out and look and ask. They worst an employer can say is no. Is it not 16 hours to get working tax credit?
Working Tax Credit is for people who are employed or self-employed (either on their own or in a partnership), who
usually work 16 hours or more a week
are paid for that work, and
expect to work for at least 4 weeks
and who are
aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child, or
aged 16 or over and disabled (http://taxcredits.hmrc.gov.uk/Qualify/WhatAreTaxCredits.aspx), or
aged 25 or over and usually work at least 30 hours a week
aged 50 or over must have been unemployed and in receipt of benefits for 6 months leading up to the claim and work 16 hours per week or more
aged 60 or over and work 16 hours per week or more
Working Tax Credit is paid to the person who is working 16 hours or more a week. Couples, if both of you are working 16 hours or more a week, must choose which one of you will receive it. You cannot receive Working Tax Credit if you are not working.these are the conditions to get working tax credit so if you are over 16 and work less than 30 hrs you can not get it and many jobs are for 16 hours or less and 16 hours at minimum wage about £90 per week which is not a lot if you rent and bills to pay where as if your on the brew your rent and rates will be paid and you have no travelling costs eg running a car to get to work as the buses are not conveinent at times you need them
Exactly - Too many folk expect their dream job to be handed to them on a plate - It just doesnt work like that.
At the risk of banging the same old drum (feel free to point this out if you wish! ;) ) , we don't help ourselves very much in keeping jobs local. Every telly or book bought bought over the internet is another nail in the coffin for local retailers and therefore jobs - Every pot of German made yoghurt bought from a German owned supermarket is less demand for local dairy farmers and potentially another local dairy job less. But everyone wants the best deal they can get in Asco's, and don't care what its doing for the local economy.
And presenting an image to new potential industries that "Caithness doesnt want renewable energy and thinks its a waste of time" wont do much to help secure any jobs in that market either.
As Theone says, you need to be out there speaking to people and getting your face seen and your name known. Waiting for an ad to pop up in the paper is'nt likely to be very rewarding....
Caithness & Sutherland are bursting at the seams with skilled people, these are people who have done their time at college or university and who have the qualifications required to do the job, but the employers in these areas would rather employ a non skilled individual than pay the skilled individual their worth.
I don't believe that this is just a sign of the times either.
It is a sign of the hard times, there is work out there but so many folk do not like to do work they consider beneath them and what they consider to be their skills.
I personally have been willing to work at anything to bring money home. If I have required employment I will do anything legal to earn my crust rather than be unemployed, even if it does cost me a loss of income to work.
Hiya my husband has done a few woodwork/joinery courses and couldnt get work in that feild as they all wanted experienced/time served he has applied for everything going he qualifys for and doesnt consider anything beneath him infact he didnt even get an interview for toilet cleaner, working in macdonalds(not the bakery the fastfood place) peeling potatos/washing dishes somewhere else hes been unemployed for 2 years come christmas and has had 6 interveiws since then and thats not just caithness as we lived in glasgow for most of that time its difficult for everyone not just here!
Sgitheanach
26-Oct-11, 16:52
I have been looking for work that im qualified to do for 3 years up here to no avail but keep getting told im either over or under qualified for the jobs that i apply for the last job i applied for i was told that my last work reference was useless as i worked for my fathers company for 8 years and family dont count for references . I applied for one job to use a 13 tonne excavator (i have my tickets) then found out that a local had been given the job and he wasnt qualified to use the machine yet but was getting put through the training bu the company even though the job add said MUST HOLD A VALID CPCS CARD !
Working Tax Credit is paid to the person who is working 16 hours or more a week. Couples, if both of you are working 16 hours or more a week, must choose which one of you will receive it.
A bit misleading there....
Couples, one of them must be working at least 30 hours, 16 hours each to total over 30 hours is not enough...
How to I know....
My partners personal advisor told her 16 hours a week each would suffice, my personal advisor told me either myself or my partner had to do at least 30 hours....
A bit of confusion there so to find out for definite I ended up phoning the tax people for confirmation & my personal advisor was correct, 30 hours by one rather that 30 between 2.
Edit:
To confirm this I used the HMRC Tax Credit calculator using the assumption that both myself & my partner where working 16 hours each at minimum wage....
The result...
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I have been looking for work that im qualified to do for 3 years up here to no avail but keep getting told im either over or under qualified for the jobs that i apply for the last job i applied for i was told that my last work reference was useless as i worked for my fathers company for 8 years and family dont count for references . I applied for one job to use a 13 tonne excavator (i have my tickets) then found out that a local had been given the job and he wasnt qualified to use the machine yet but was getting put through the training bu the company even though the job add said MUST HOLD A VALID CPCS CARD !
I have also been told that I am over qualified and therefore, useless to the employer who wishes to pay only the minimum wage.
I have done a variety of jobs over the years just to bring home the money,
I wouldn't say I was overly fussy about the kind of work I am willing to do, however, the wage must be enough so that I would not be working for nothing, the wage simply has to cover my expenses too, otherwise, what is the point in going out to work?
Benefits and subsidies are all very well but they are not the be all and end all of the working adult.
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