537 What do we do ?

Okay Forza Brescia I'll start it off - I'm on a temporary contract (covering maternity) as a secretary for the record producer of a small record label. Nice company but the salary is VERY low. I work Mon-Fri 6 hours a day,(9-1 & 3-5). Basically I have this job because it was absolutely the only thing I could find in the area (and it's still a half hour down the motorway from my town - before everyone rushes in to point out that they commute at least an hour in each direction every day bear in mind that I have to pay tolls which combined with petrol costs uses up about 40% of my already low salary.) I got the job cos they really needed an English mothertongue speaker who can also do the Italian side.

I tried for 3 months to get a job, looking in the papers, websites, recruitment agencies etc and there was literally not a thing that I could even apply for. This was the only job I applied for which fortunately I got :) . It was advertised in the local paper - to be honest I thought it was going to be a marble company (loads in this area) or an electrical firm so was rather surprised when I found out it was a record label.

Well, we have a half way position, my husband and I live in Italy, but I work in England. My hubby through the developement of modern stuff, supports a computer network for my company in the U.K. We recycle Paper and Operate a Waste Management business throughout the United Kingdom. I travel back to the U.K each Monday, then return on Friday, hence our half way position.
My hubby is the lucky one, I just get a small taste every weekend, for now.

I used to work for a Trade Union in the UK, however, following my making an alegation of discrimination against a senior manager of the organisation, I was subjected to a protracted campaign of bullying and harrasment, as they were reluctant to fight my claims in Industrial Tribunal, I retired very early and am fortunate enough to not have to work at all here. I do appreciate the tranquility here, and the cost of living, and the weather, and the people...

Very good question my husband and I are in the same position. But fortunately (I think) he has a trade (he is a gas central heating engineer) but can we find out whether it will assist him in getting employment in Italy, whether he will have to undergo Italian training or whether there is a governing body for gasmen. Every avenue I look up nobody has given me an answer let alone the one I want. That is before we even start looking for work. And well I am a paralegal and can't see how that is going to help us one bit.

Yours frustrated

Sincps

Hi

I know this may be a long shot, if you can speak Italian, I would suggest contacting a heating company, or a building company who hire tradesmen to do work. They will at least ask for, (hopefully) some credentials, then work backwards from that. Most companies doing restoration work for Brits speak English, and I know in this months Italy Mag, Marco Caldon has a small add, and I believe he speaks English, maybe as a fellow forum member he could help.
We recently had a heating engineer from a Company in San Severino, Marche, come to service our Central Heating boiler, but I dont have their phone number, but I will get this when I return home on Friday. What part of Italy are you seeking to work in?

This actually brings up a good questions as to how you find work in Italy ?

Personally I am hoping that one of our quality Manager somewhere in Italy decides to leave, asi said it is a big Big company - giving an oppertunity !!!!

Sitting with fingers crossed

to work with gas here you have to be certified... so yes there is a governing body that you will have to apply thru.... and i would think an italian gas fitting exam to pass...

however i recall that some one mentioned a central heating engineer / plumber from wales who operates somewhere in the isola del gran sasso area and i will endeavour to see if he is willing to contact you or accept a call from you and give you some advice on what and how.... might take a while to track him down...

.. the other day we took our son off to the school concert... well night actually ...it didnt strt till nine.... strange to see three year olds trying to keep awake while they sing at 9.30 at night.....

to the point... my ramblings never cease you might say...well we took a neighbour and her daughter and the conversation turned to work and opportunities.... basically wages are low.. cost of living uk level accept for the house buying part and eating out.... some might say a kilo of tomatoes are cheaper but then that saved euro will soon be eaten up with higher bills on electricity .. phone...car insurance... bank charges... etc etc all gripes from our italian neighbour but heartily agreed with by us...

job oportunities are there but work is controlled by often having to be qualified and pass exams in the strangest things.... at this exam stage those who know someone will pass and others who know something may well not... this often applies when looking for work also..

it goes beyond the sort of bosses sons syndrome and is an inherent part of the working life here... there is massive competition in the lower paid /casual work area from eastern european immigrants... they are often willing to work for much less than locals... willing may be the wrong word... but they work for less...

at the moment the italian economy is going through a hard time... so again work is difficult.... some factories are doing short time... other companies closing... you will find where the work is ...eg nth italy ..milan.. bologna ... will also have not have what you are looking for in terms of home... not that both areas do not have their good side... its just often it seems to me the foreign buyer moves here to get away from the bigger cities and then wonders why there is no work... much as in england if work is going to be required the first thing is to look at the economic map...not the green rural one...

again after all that i have been offered several jobs teaching english.... because it is my mother tounge.... the problem is i dont think it would pay the cost of the petrol .... and i am not sure i would want to be teaching anyway... but that sort of work seems to be one that is always available... either in language schools or even privately... some people i have known have done tefl courses in england... but i dnt think it has changed either the opportunity to work or the level of wages by much

Thanks for your replies and thoughts. We are actually from Wales and as for where in Italy. We are still looking at properties and just trying to establish the gas problem (or possibly not?) We are still quite flexible on areas we have recently viewed a house in Lombardy (wrong location great house), and are currently considering going to view a house in Abruzzo. We both enjoy snowboarding so we would like to be within say 60-90 min drive of the snow when it falls. As mentioned I am legal assistant but seriously considering doing the TEFL course whilst I appreciate getting work isn't going to be easy but doing what ever we can (legally of course) to get the extra money. But think it is vital that we get to be part of the community as soon as possible as after all that is why we want to be there.

Any way look forward to any other details that you may have and if you find the gasman/plumbers number contacting him.

Thanks
sincps

John

Thanks for the info - I will continue to hold out for a transfer !!!!!

[QUOTE=Forza Brescia]John

Thanks for the info - I will continue to hold out for a transfer !!!!![/QUOTE]

I'm interested; is your aim "same sh!t, different country" or is your goal to start a new life?

We've pondered this on more than one occasion. We keep coming back to the question "Do we want to work as we are now, just in a different country, or is our goal to change what we do with the aim of a life-style change?"

Our heads tends to rule our hearts & we bottle it.....but would the very act of working in Italy automatically make life easier (or have I been watching too many relocation programmes!?!?)

What does everyone think?

For me the answer would be yes !!! - as at present my role involves tracking from one of England to the other with frequent trips into Europe - so yes a Factory based role in Italy would be an improvement.

As for the main thread of the question I would dearly love to change my entire lifestyle and go the whole hog and move perminately to my house in the mountains - but until I suss a way of gaining income and following the dream I'll have to live with the practicalities of life - but the oppertunity to be home every night would be oh so pleasent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!