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Job Vacancies MHR

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by 73129, Jun 18, 2009.

  1. Columbine

    Columbine Member

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    I think there is something wrong with the arithmetic here. The figure quoted of £2.88/hr is well below the National Minimum Wage. I would doubt if any employee will work 52 weeks a year and the wage will not be based on that figure. Most employees work 260 to 270 days a year so the annual rate will be based on that. Even so an 8.5 hr day/£6k is rather a poorer 'package' than you might expect in this day and age for an industrial apprenticeship.

    I think the MHR has to consider also the primitive working conditions on the railway. I would wonder just how many 16 year olds will put up with that for the full term (three or five years(?)) of an apprenticeship. Retention may well become an issue.

    Regards
     
  2. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    I understand that these apprenticeships are Lottery assisted, and surely familt tax credits would play a part here if these figures bandied around are to be believed?

    Regards
    Chris
     
  3. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Possibly there is an element of the postion needing to be vocational rather than just a job? If someone was there just to put the hours in until Friday PM, and take the money, they might not be the best person for the vacancy?
    That said I have no idea what the apprentices at Llangollen are paid (there have been quite a few over the years)
     
  4. Ann Clark

    Ann Clark Member

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    You only get working families tax credit if you have a family. If the MHR is seeking someone aged 16/17 I am not sure that the minimum wage starts at this age group. Also the 4 weeks holiday is supposed to be paid so that should be included in the calculations. However the apprentice would surely be on day release at least 1 day per week to attend college. I know that is how the apprenticeships at Swange work. That way they get the theory side that you used to get and to practice things like machining without ruining anything of value.
     
  5. 73096

    73096 Member

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    You only get working families tax credit if you have a family. If the MHR is seeking someone aged 16/17 I am not sure that the minimum wage starts at this age group. Also the 4 weeks holiday is supposed to be paid so that should be included in the calculations. However the apprentice would surely be on day release at least 1 day per week to attend college. I know that is how the apprenticeships at Swange work. That way they get the theory side that you used to get and to practice things like machining without ruining anything of value.[/quote:2mujmd0j]

    Swanage apprentices go to SETA dont they? My NVQ assessor is from SETA and he said they do.

    I think RSF hit the nail on the head where he said that the MHR can't pay the wages "the big railway" do, I'm sure that after the first review the money will increase depending on performance. Also saying that do you think expenses will be paid for travelling, as Ropley is out in the sticks unless you actually live there and if you had to go to somewhere like SETA in millbrook, I'm pretty sure that £125 will soon disappear on travelling alone.

    I know the joys of running a car and that consumes a hell of a lot of money and I'm on "big railway apprentice money"
     
  6. Columbine

    Columbine Member

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    I took a look at the MHR website where these two posts are headlined. They are for school leavers and they do include day release and four weeks holiday. Even so £6k is a little low bearing in mind other jobs that are available to kids and the travelling expenses, work clothing, tools etc.

    I wish the MHR well on this, but ...

    Regards
     
  7. 34007

    34007 Part of the furniture

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    I wouldn,t like you to say anything, so are you going to apply?

    Regards
    Chris[/quote:3b7bnqhi]

    Think about it chris - It wouldn't pay for my Rent/Council Tax or anything else on that Salary - Family Tax Credits doesn't pay for an awful lot you know.

    If the salry was different; then i would definately reply as I am about to be made redundant...

    But needs must; life goes on and so must the search.
     
  8. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Why be so defeatist Andy?, what,s your daughter going to think when she grows up and finds out her Daddy gave up?.

    It,s not the end of the world you know, a threat to be made redundant, so get out there and get another job before redundancy does happen.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  9. Columbine

    Columbine Member

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    Chris, please don't write like this to a bloke who is about to lose his job. It's a pretty horrible thing to happen to you at any time but during the deepest recession I can remember it's a great deal worse. Lose your job and you lose your sense of independence and good deal else too, perhaps your ability to pay the mortgage. There aren't jobs out there that's why there are currently 2.5 million people on benefits.

    I'm sure '34007' can do without the moral blackmail too: 'what,s your daughter going to think' indeed. That's a dreadful thing to say. Sorry but I think you've got this terribly wrong.

    Regards
     
  10. Cunni

    Cunni New Member

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    Looking back to posts on the wage provided as an hourly rate, it is low, but then again, it will raise and these skills will set anyone in good stead for many many years!

    To get more of a handle on the hourly rate, I applied the maths this way:

    £6000 per annum = £500 per month Therefore: 52 weeks/12 months = 4.333 weeks per month (or 4.3 weeks)

    £500/4.3 = £116 per week. Based on a typical 40 hour week* This puts the hourly rate at £2.90 per hour.

    Fully paid holidays up to 20 days included, weekly hours irrespective of whether working on site at MHR or at College Campuss.

    If deducting 1 day per week for college time (as this is paid for by the railway) then the hourly rate become £116/32 hours = £3.60 per hour.

    Last point, based on a typical tax code for this job and age of candidate, this will be vertually a tax free incomeaccording to tax codes. Only really N.I. to pay and that will be next to nothing.



    *It is quite probably more than 40 hour weeks will be the norm, but you can't calculate based on possible hours. Any additional hours worked at a heritage railway are normally not paid for, ie; there is no over time rate, unless specially arranged. Many people I know put in many additional hours to finish work on engines and as far as I can tell it's all done 'for the cuase' as it were.
     
  11. simon

    simon Resident of Nat Pres

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    It is a little worrying that no one has done the calculation of hour pay for hours worked on here correctly.

    All posters have missed at least one factor. The most common being bank holidays, but others have ignored the impact of annual leave and day release.

    Albeit, it still doesn't bring the figure up to £6.00 per hour.
     
  12. ernestgew

    ernestgew Member

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    To be honest it doesn't really matter how much the person will be getting per hour, as they'll still get the same amount of money whatever. What matters is the fact that there is a great opportunity here for two lucky people, and that the MHR is offering someone a great career oportunity on the railways!
     
  13. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Hear hear.
    As someone has already stated the money is poor to start with but will grow each year.
    Lets not look a gift horse in the mouth.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  14. Cunni

    Cunni New Member

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    I wasn't trying to discredit the wage offered by MHR, I was hoping to point out what it would break down into. Two posts above are very true!

    Here is an advert for Apprentice at another site I found on Monster Jobs:


    Seems about right with respect to this thread's jobs and also backs up the point raised about low wages and national minimum wage when on appreticeships
     
  15. joe_issitt

    joe_issitt New Member

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    I'm pretty sure that this wage is pretty much average across the board for preserved railways across the board. It is a good opertunity, no doubt, and ideally suit someone who either lives with their parents or has just left school. Without backing of parents/spouse, the wage is deffinatly not viable to live on when considering rent, bills, council tax, food etc. However, if I didnt have a job lined up, I would seriously consider this.
     
  16. 34007

    34007 Part of the furniture

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    Chris,

    I'm not giving up, nor will i give up on finding another job - I've been offered work in offices.... Blah! No chance!! I like being my own boss - So to speak... And being on the road...

    I have some private IT work that i am waiting on and also some work plastering with a firend of mine - So I am "Hoping"that something happens... As i will take my hand to anything!!

    My Family is all i care about! And yes i love the MHR and always will - But i can't live on 6k with a family per annum.. It's not realistic.

    All the best
     

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