DS wants to work abroad

[Goanthen]

I’m looking for some advice. My DS is coming up for 21. He’s at a crossroads about what he wants to do. He did well in school, got good GCSEs and 3 A levels. He struggling to get on the employment ladder. He wants to save up and go travelling. I suggested he try and find a job abroad for a few months. I’ve looked online and all the agencies seem dodgy and want thousands of pounds, which seems odd.
what’s the best way to go about doing this?

Urm firstly he's an adult so stay out of plans and business

If he wants to travel he'll figure it out when he gets there

I travelled to NZ and Australia and figured out where to work and what agencies to sign up to once I got there

No one ever asks for money up front for an agency unless you're stupid enough to randomly look online

Honestly just back off because you're the one that's going to get him into dodgy situations with your ill advised online searches

Does he only have a British passport?

What sort of job is he looking
for?

Back off? I’m trying to help out my son 🙄 and I’m helping him, so he doesn’t get into any dodgy situations

yes, just a British passport. I don’t think he really minds what sort of work it is. Hospitality might be the way to go

Don't know why you're getting such a hard time OP. I think it's pretty normal to try to help advise family members, no matter how old they are.

What about making a list of 'known' locations that he might be interested in working at and then researching how to go about applying to them. So places like Disneyland Paris, Eurocamps etc.

There used to be a book you could buy with places to work for the summer in the UK and abroad. I had it at 18 and remember applying to a few places through that. Not sure if something similar exists now?

If in Europe the best way to do it will likely be to identify British companies that employ reps to work in resort and apply to them directly as they will sort the visa.

A search on Tiktok might be a good place to start as there are people posting on their who are doing seasonal work.
He'll get less joy applying direct to hotels in Europe as they will want people with a right to work.

He could get a working visa for Aus/ NZ if he is interested in going there.

My son decided to work abroad and did everything, absolutely everything himself at 21. Leave him to it, you won’t be there when he’s abroad! He’ll be fine.

I presume he's struggling in life because he's being mollycoddled

Working holiday visa for Australia? I dont know how you do it but a lot of people do every year so can't be that hard.

In most countries of the world he will need a visa with work privileges.

Some countries do offer a working holiday visa, such as Australia.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/work-holiday-417#:~:text=This%20visa%20lets%20people%2018,to%20help%20fund%20their%20trip.&text=For%20an%20indication%20of%20processing,visa%20processing%20time%20guide%20tool.

Don't forget to factor in air fares and health insurance

(Sorry about long link.)

Post Brexit, Europe won't be easy sadly, unless it's with a company that will sort out documents. Travel companies etc.
Although the first poster to answer you was unwantedly aggressive, it is true that no reputable organisation will charge you for finding you work. Employers pay agencies to recruit, and any agency asking for money to the person job seeking is a scammer.
I first went abroad for work as an au pair, then on various summer camps. TEFL.com might be worth a look as they carry ads not just for teachers, but for activity staff as well. Mainly needing visas now though if EU.

Good luck!

I mean he says he wants to travel

You OP go frantically looking for jobs for him abroad

He wants to work here, save money to travel and explore the world

Banf Canada working the tourist season

Holiday reps jobs - just checked Tui and they only want EU nationals. Obviously they don't want the hassle of organising visas and can source visa-free staff who are bilingual or trilingual including English.

• "He wants to save up and go travelling"
• "I suggested he try and find a job abroad for a few months"

Those are two different things. Neither is wrong, but what does HE want?
Completely normal that you want to help and support him, but it's important what he wants to do.

Don't know why everyone is giving you a hard time. My DS is in Whistler Canada. You can get a three year young person's visa if you are under 30. He can apply directly from the UK, just make sure he gets a job with housing if he can as it can be hard to find somewhere to live in a resort. The first thing he needs to do is decide where he wants to go and apply for a visa. Then he can look for a job. He will also need health insurance and enough money to meet the entry requirements for wherever he goes. It's actually pretty difficult to get legit work in Europe currently as a lot of employers don't want the hassle of visas.

@Goanthen didnt you know you’re not supposed to help your child once they become an adult, well until you’re a grandparent and then you need to drop everything and be available… 🤣

Oh stop it

You may totally lose interest in your child's future when they turn 18 but not everyone does

Oh fuck off.

Good for him. Some people would like or need some help, input, or a second opinion.

It’s Mumsnet, people are twats. I would do exactly the same as you - and am reading all replies for inspiration for my ds who wouldn’t know where to start!

Mothers who want to help their sons are particularly bad on MN I’ve found.

Perhaps they need a special thread for us evil witches.

A degree helps.

Good luck getting any help after this, though!

😆