1st meeting at jobcentre tomorrow.

[chilistrucker]

Does anyone know what I can expect?
My situation is I'm only going as I currently have no choice due to the dvla medical dept revoking my car and truck licences for the 2nd time. I had a fall and received some pretty major head injuries in May, but after 5 months I finally got the all clear from my neuro consultant and was allowed to return to work.
Sadly 3 weeks later the dvla changed their minds, they disagree with my consultant and have again revoked my licences, so have now lost the job I was doing, (which I really enjoyed) and sort of leaves me stuck in no mans land. Its ridiculous but i am fighting it and have my MP involved.

So in the short term, (I hope) I have to find something else, I registered with the job centre and have my 1st appointment tomorrow with my 'personal adviser'
Should be interesting as all I've done since I was 20 is drive for a living, 3 years on vans, and the last 20 years on class 1 hgvs. I love my job, but sadly its all I know. I like to think that I'm a reasonably intelligent man but because of my previous work history my immediate short term career future is looking bleak.
I've trawled the goverment job site but it looks pretty bleak for me as nearly everything on there requires some sort of qualifications or previous experience in the industries I'm looking at even as a security guard or warehouse worker, forklift driver, etc.
The only jobs I found that may possibly be suitable require you to have your own transport, mainly due to either their location, or the jobs being nightshifts when public transport doesn't run.
Lots of truck driving jobs, but thanks to dvla these are currently out of the question.

So what can I expect tomorrow? A career as a cleaner at minimum wage maybe, or will they come up with other ideas I wonder.
Bear in mind the minute the dvla farce is rectified and I again get my licences back I have a truck driving job waiting for me.

[chilistrucker]

Thanks I'll have a read of that link.
I won't get the council tax help, been down that route recently when I first had the injuries. They paid it for 5 weeks, then changed their minds, (but didn't tell us of this for another 5 weeks) then the other day a letter dropped through the door demanding we pay back the 5 weeks they did pay!!!

This is what I have come to expect though over the last 5 months with any dealings with government agencies.

I'll take a job at Macdonalds, KFC etc if they want but feel my people skills with the customers would not see me last the 1st day out

[chilistrucker]

TheRealFingers99 said:

chilistrucker said:

Thanks I'll have a read of that link.
I won't get the council tax help, been down that route recently when I first had the injuries. They paid it for 5 weeks, then changed their minds, (but didn't tell us of this for another 5 weeks) then the other day a letter dropped through the door demanding we pay back the 5 weeks they did pay!!!

This is what I have come to expect though over the last 5 months with any dealings with government agencies.

If you're signing on, you should get Council Tax and Housing Benefit. This is administered by your local Council, not by Central Government.

Get yourself to the CAB, ASAP.

Sadly not, it was my local councils decision to not pay any council tax and housing benefits

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated
I'll go down there my normal happy self and see what happens, i guess in away I've been spoilt doing a job I love and for now that has to change. Hopefully its just going to be short term but until it changes I'll do anything that pays a wage so I can put food on the table.

[chilistrucker]

TheRealFingers99 said:

chilistrucker said:

Sadly not, it was my local councils decision to not pay any council tax and housing benefits

Wise, though, to seek advice on whether an appeal is possible. CAB or there will be a local solicitor doing free benefits stuff.

And, of course, the last time need have no bearing on the present.

Ok i will have a look into that tomorrow as I pass the CAB office on my way to the job centre.

truck71, it is a possibility and I had a chat at a transport firm that knows me last Friday as they may have a position for a fleet manager :0 just waiting to hear back from them.
jap, thanks. After 5 months of grief, hassle and jumping through hoops think I'm due some luck for a change. You are right, when I went in to register the jobcentre had 3 'keen' security guards and a random bloke stood outside in a shell suit, complete with a can of tennents and a staff on a lead.

[chilistrucker]

Bullett said:

I was made redundant 2 years ago and had to go through what you are starting out on now. I made a thread, it doesn't offer much advise but it's got some funny stories.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Just read all 4 pages Bullett, helpful and amusing


I like the dump truck idea, I would enjoy that but knowing how my luck has been of late am guessing there would be some stumbling blocks. Could I go on a training course for this type of thing if the dvla have, (wrongly) revoked my licences?
I suppose if it were on private land, then maybe it's ok. I would certainly do it if I could!

It shows how things are if someone with a major in journalism is just pigeonholed straight into vdu input job!


Just got back, polite lady just filled out more forms etc, back there again Tuesday to meet Jeremy, my jobs advisor.

Edited by chilistrucker on Thursday 16th October 16:28

[chilistrucker]

General Price said:

chilistrucker said:

I like the dump truck idea, I would enjoy that but knowing how my luck has been of late am guessing there would be some stumbling blocks. Could I go on a training course for this type of thing if the dvla have, (wrongly) revoked my licences?
I suppose if it were on private land, then maybe it's ok. I would certainly do it if I could!

Plant firms are desperate for reliable and conscientious operators.You could ask when you go and see your job advisor if there are any courses available.I have seen schemes where you get your cpcs card paid for by the social if you are out of work.I know a couple of lads who drove dump trucks after losing their driving licences so you should be ok.

Thanks very much, I will definitely bring this up on Tuesday as until the dvla issues get sorted I'd be very interested in something along these lines instead of, "Do you want fries with that?"

[chilistrucker]

andy-xr said:

I'm curious about this, do you think you're too good to work at McDonalds? Is it just that it's not your kind of job, or is it beneath you?

If you're unemployed for a few months would you consider it then?

Edited by andy-xr on Friday 17th October 11:30

It was supposed to be humour.
I would obviously prefer to be back in my lorry doing the job that is waiting for me but not possible currently as mentioned thanks to dvla. Yes I'm abit miffed at that and it certainly throws the job centre staff out abit when you tell them you have a job to go to.
It's taken me a good few years and a hell of a lot of good honest hard graft to get to where I was in my industry. The work is abit different from the norm and I love it, add to that the salary which is nigh on double what I'd earn driving trucks for a local firm you can see the plus sides!
It's amazing how 1 fall and banging your head can quickly change your life, but hey oh these are the cards we are dealt.
For now I can't do the 1 thing I'm reasonably good at. There is no job that's beneath me, if I have to serve fries, stack shelves, get a job on top gear or clean toilets that's what I'll do.
I assume most people would prefer or feel they're worth a bit more than £6.50ph but all I would like until dvla can sort their act out is to work for a wage to put food on the table.


Sy, have you seen the bbc comedy program based in and about a job centre? Think it's called, 'the job lot' very amusing

[chilistrucker]

Thanks
It is so frustrating when you are being dealt a hand that you have no control over. Have to admit there are times that I get very annoyed and angry, but this is purely with the dvla, so my anger is only vented in their direction.
So far the few staff I've dealt with at the job centre have been polite and helpful. I always try and see both sides of the story and I bet the decent staff have some cracking stories of their own of people they've met at work