This is a bit niche - jobs with accommodation and a sense of community

[ConnieAndBlyde]

So DS is currently on a gap year. He has a Uni place for next September but isn't really sold on the idea.

I'm musing about alternatives. What kind of job/career could he look into where he 'goes away from home' but is more than a job? Somewhere he'd live with others and have a peer group like you would at Uni.

At the moment all I can think of is the armed forces, and that's not really his bag. He could turn his hand to most things though and is pretty open minded.

Like I say, just musing. Please don't jump down my throat! All suggestions welcome. Especially anything niche and unusual!

Hospitality, lots of live in positions. You work so many hours your colleges become your mates/family. It’s proper graft though.

Ski resort, cruise ship, merchant navy, holiday rep, boarding school, teaching English as a foreign language. Sounds like a good plan!

I was going to say a cruise ship, or maybe an oil rig?

I once watched this very interesting documentary about people working for this station in one of the Poles. I can't remember if it was a scientific station or something different, but it was very large with many people staffing it. I know this isn't the kind of thing you're after, but your post brought it to mind.

I found it absolutely fascinating. Despite the weather conditions, people loved it there and it seemed like a happy community. I guess it could also be hideous if you don't fit in though...

Yachty?

Ooh, excellent thoughts!

I suppose if i were to narrow the requirements down a bit, it would be that the job could turn into a career, rather than be just a low paid, temporary kind of thing.

DS is quite quiet, so can't see him being a holiday rep. Though he's good with kids. No idea what jobs go on on an oil rig!

Monk?

Conservation?
Estate maintenance?
Park ranger?

Caravan park with other young people, doing guest turnovers of caravans etc.

Butler?

Something like PGL?

Kibbutz?

Don't rule out armed forces. Lots of paid for training and qualifications are available.
Teaching? Friends son works at a private boarding school and they are supporting him (paid job and accommodation) while he qualifies.

Absolutely this. Eurocamp for example are pretty good - they pay for their flights over, they pick them up from the airport, they put them in (free) accommodation, it is shared caravans so not luxury, and then they have to work and it isn't that glamourous and can be hard work in the heat if you are not used to it. They don't earn loads, but enough to live on, and they mix with plenty of others in the same boat and defo form a community. Some Brits, some polish, some dutch (seem to be the incoming workers) , plus those that are native to the country they are in. We are in the wrong season now for it (although the applications start Jan), and there are restrictions (3 months EU). There are probs other offers for the UK (although you would have to have live in as accom would be too expensive otherwise) and ski resorts (and although fab, I suspect more skills are needed here). I don't think you would make more money than say working locally, but it does broaden your horizons.

It's not that easy to get a job on a oil rig and you need lots of training certificates which most people pay for in advance usually several thousands of pounds worth!

What sort of thing is he interested in? Several charities including the national trust have positions where they give free accommodation but most are volunteering ones.

What about a trainee chef on a Scottish island? Does he like cooking?

Dyson apprenticeship if he did Stem A levels www.dysoninstitute.com/the-experience/the-accommodation/

Did you mean the Antarctic Post Office @TR888 ? A woman from the next village has done a couple of 6 month stints. Sounds amazing.

Boarding school?
Residential field centre? - seasonal tutor/assistant/hospitality work at a Field Studies Council centre several ads here

Definitely a gappie at a prep school if he's good with kids!

our local Buddhist centre/cafe has ive in staff

My friend works for a big holiday company in their kids' clubs abroad. Pay, accomodation, working with kids, enough time off.

Camp America. I know a boy who did this 5 years after finishing school (he bounced around in low paid jobs over this time)...it was the making of him. He met an American girlfriend, moved over there permanently and now manages a sports centre. By all accounts is doing very well and loving his 'new' life.

I was going to say Camp America too!

DH is a housemaster at a boarding school. I think the "gappies" and interns have a whale of a time. It's hard work but a lot of fun if you have a good group. And I know that off duty there is a lot of partying, drinking and sex Often they are young people who are pre- or post-uni and possibly interested in a teaching career. I know several who have gone on to train as teachers. If he is good with children, a prep school would be ideal.

My friend was cruise ship staff after uni for a couple of years and that was also a brilliant experience for her. She met her DH there.

My sister is doing camp America, I wish it had been around when I was young!