Whammers

Hi I am a British young woman looking for some help as my partner is taking a job in UAE October, November time. I am a carer in England (residential and home carer) I was a senior carer at my last company but no degree in this field as that isn't too important in England whilst working in companies. I was hoping someone could help me by either helping me to get a job in private care in UAE or knows someone there that needs a carer to come in from time to time. I will sort my own visa is this is an issue but I am very good at my job. Only looking for English or American families to work with though as I think the language barrier will be too difficult. I specialise in dementia but I do across the board from poor mobility, personal care and just some company! (: hope someone can help me or put me in contact with someone that might need my help over there! Thank you!

mikewot

Not help I'm afraid, just advice. Out here there is a vast labour force of (mainly) Philipino's who will work for what you and I would regard as peanuts. Some of them are quite highly skilled and qualified but the labour market being what it is they are still on a lot lot less than UK minimum wage.

Good Luck!

Whammers

What I was looking for was help networking out there so I can find a English or American family to work with solely not for a company. Do you still think it would be an issue?

mikewot

I am sorry that I no doubt sound very negative, I am trying to manage your expectations. Why would someone hire an expensive Westerner when you could get 4 pinays for the same money who will smilingly work 10 -12 hours a day 6 days a week?

OriginalSunshine

salary would be at best 225 pounds per month, for 10-12+, sometimes 24 hours a day, 6-7 days per week

Millhouse

On a brighter note, if you have a degree (regardless of what in) - you can try for a job at a British school as a teaching assistant. They are quite good jobs and offer reasonable hours with lots of time off. I'm sure a background in caring would be quite transferable.

In terms of salary, Mrs Millhouse, gets 6,000AED/month at one of the british schools, and is paid all summer when she isn't working. That's a rare job, most pay around 3,000 - but it's good beer money non-the-less. Amazingly, the schools really struggle to recruit native English speaking teaching assistants as the majority of women here have their heads firmly up their bleached arses and, as my wife has been told, "wouldn't get out of bed for that"... despite having to do just that to take the kids to the school

Sadly, in your field, salaries here are very low, hours long and conditions not great. But think outside your field a little and there are options.

Millhouse

what was the original post again, I've forgotten

Bahtatboy

Carer. Don't worry, somebody will be round with your tea and medication shortly, dear.

Whammers

Is it easy to become a teaching assistant over there? I don't need too much money just a job to keep me occupied as my partner will be working a lot. I've been trying to think outside the box but have no idea where to start, so far you have all been amazing so thank you

Millhouse

Yes. Very easy. Amazingly, the school only recieves one or two applications for the job when its advertised. Our school has a requirement of 'native english speaker' and very few native speakers want the job due to the salary. It should be noted that many schools employ filipina TAs to cut costs. You therefore need to find the right school.

At Mrs Millhouse's school the entry requirement was a 'degree'. Her BS in cooking was enough. The school even went on to sponsor her to become a level 3 TA. It cost 10k AED and took a year. That said, I doubt many schools would do that.

There is a possible change in law meaning that all schools need qualified TA's. I'm not sure what qualification that is but given that most TAs are not level 3 qualified, then it would make you quite sought after.

OriginalSunshine

That's funny (strange), because in Oman TAs normally have teaching degrees, and experience as teachers, and drop out due to family, then move to Oman, kid(s) get older, teacher wants to go back to classroom but not as a teacher, and so does TA work. It's great for the kids.

Millhouse

I think at our school there is only one TA who fits this, and she works two days a week on a job share arrangement with another 'normal' TA.

Beakersful

I heard it as "all teachers in schools need to be certified" and from TEFLers point of view that's quite worrying. As usual, I suppose nailing down the rule officially in the online sphere is impossible, particularly since it isn't ratified yet?

DubInRiyadh

I like Mrs Millhouse - smart woman
A lot of women here have to hire a housemaid upon arrival.....and then spend the rest of the time complaining of having nothing to do ....