Agency work - What is it like?

[CHiLL]

I have worked in a couple of schools as a full time ICT Technician and I have found myself looking for work again. I have seen a lot of vacancies with companies such as Aspire People and HAYS.

 

I have lined up a few questions in the hope that someone can answer them for me.

 

What is it like working for an agency?

When you're sent to a school, is it for a short time, or is it for a few months?

How does pay work if they cannot find a place for you to work?

What are the hours like?

What support do agencies provide?

Are there any holiday entitlements, given that work cannot be guaranteed?

 

They're the questions that I can think of at the moment, but if I think of more, I will reply to this thread.

 

Thanks.

Edited October 28, 2014 by CHiLL

[featured_spectre]

What is it like working for an agency?

Was ok when I did it, just keep ringing to ensure a steady stream of work

When you're sent to a school, is it for a short time, or is it for a few months?

Depends on the job. One job for me was 2 weeks, but paid equivalent to 2 months salary, another was for 6 months.

How does pay work if they cannot find a place for you to work?

You don't work, you don't get paid.

What are the hours like?

Normal working hours

What support do agencies provide?

Depends - sometimes they offer in house support, other times the places you're sent have their own support but need an engineer on site for a period of time. Luck of the draw.

Are there any holiday entitlements, given that work cannot be guaranteed?

Unless you sign a contract stating you will work and get holiday, you can book holiday as you choose, however if you are given a long term contract, you need to let them (and the client you end up working for) know

[mikeprice]

I am working though an agency at the moment - this is my second school like this.

Basically it is fine but the jobs seem to come up rarely so you need to keep pressure on several agencies to find your next job. Both schools that I have worked in have previously advertised the job but not had anyone apply who seemed like they could do it so I was brought in as a stop gap until they found someone permanent - looks like my next job will be the same.

 

I suspect, in this area (Merseyside) I will have some gaps between jobs at times so the money overall will be quite low but I am doing it to build up experience on current technology - and to see several different ways of doing things so that when I get a permanent job I will have more info to work with

 

Mike

 

p.s. Good luck

 

pps - don't necessarily believe an agency if they say they have a job coming up shortly - I have known SOME of them to 'exaggerate' things rather a lot!!

Edited October 29, 2014 by mikeprice

[RichB]

What is it like working for an agency?

 

All are different some are good some are bad, normally established companies use established recruiters

 

When you're sent to a school, is it for a short time, or is it for a few months?

 

All again will differ, however the shorter the contract the more it “should” be paid

 

How does pay work if they cannot find a place for you to work?

 

No work no pay

 

What are the hours like?

 

In education normal working hours, in business it again varies

 

What support do agencies provide?

 

You have an issue you can ring them, don’t forget there making money from you been there.

 

Are there any holiday entitlements, given that work cannot be guaranteed?

 

No contract I’ve ever been on has given holiday pay, that’s why the pay is more

 

 

I was in education sector for 6 years working up to network manager. I now contract in the private sector and have to say I’ll not return for a number of years. The pay been the main reason I’m on double if not treble what I was on as a network manager. The hours are more lapsed (working from home today). But the pressure is a lot more if a school server goes down its bad (very bad) but not the end of the world if that happens in business they lose money hence heads roll quickly.

 

However there are downsides I travel a lot now, live out of hotel rooms. The atmosphere in offices are not the same as schools.

 

 

PS have a chat with ESP Recruitment there on here, Ive worked with them in the past great team they'll give you all the information you need and hopefully a job!!!

my 2p worth!

Edited October 31, 2014 by RichB