To be anxious I might end up losing my job?

[Reflectionson]

I’m a science technician in a secondary school. There are two of us. However, I’ve only been there 6 months, whereas the other person has been there for a few years.

All this talk of schools running out of money and the teacher’s pay rises.

I’m a single parent. I work full time and I bring home around £18,000 before tax and other reductions, so not much at all really.

I’m getting rather concerned now. I don’t really know what to do.

What kind of contract do you have? Yearly? Permanent?

Easier said than done but there is no use worrying about it

What you can do is if you genuinely feel your job is at risk start looking elsewhere

You don't earn much so even basic entry level roles in any business would likely pay more too

My problem is that I only have experience in schools.

It’s a permanent contract.

You could earn more than that as an entry level administrator at any big standard business

You don't need experience to get more than that these days

Do you think the fact it’s a permanent contract helps at all?

No

If you've been there for less than 2 years you have very little protection from being let go

I’m just wondering whether something like science technician will be the first to go

We've just culled the majority of TAs- as a single parent it's terrifying.

Is your school actually culling people? If you think it’s really likely then start looking for something else, it will make you feel better to be doing something about it.

Are there labs nearby that you can apply for, otherwise look at admin work.

It might come to nothing but you will at least be prepared (and you might come across something better paid.)

Are you term time only? Lots of admin type roles which don't require qualifications pay more than 18k. Just now our employer has sent out a job 23k full time mon-fri and the only essential task is good customer service skills generally and IT basic competence. Everything else is trained on the job. Homeworking too (north east England so higher again if down south I'd imagine).

How big is your secondary school? I'd imagine that 2 science techs is the minimum the school could cope with. Ours is a medium sized school and we have 3.5 science techs.

If I were in your situation and lost my job I would get a job as a TA for less money, perhaps fewer hours, and with the spare time I would train for something better. I would claim Universal Credit on the lower wage and apply for grants for training on the basis of being on benefits. I would get all the grant and free courses I could in order to get a better paid job.

I would use losing that job as an opportunity in the above way.

Don't focus on worry. Focus on a plan in case that happens.

IME the school librarian will be going before you
Also you are more likely to be kept on than a general LSA

As a science tech, have a look at your transferable skills. Could you go to the NHS and work in a lab? Private industry labs - health, medicine, engineering / technology-related work?

Outside of science, I bet you could walk into all sorts of administrative roles plus with any team leader / managerial skills (including the herding of children!) it could cross over the skillets for all sorts of industries.

If you're worried, have a good look at any businesses in the area you can commute to, look at the costs of after school / summer clubs etc and have a back up plan.

Alway have an exit strategy is my advice....

Contact local supply agencies and see if there's any supply work as a back up plan. There's a Facebook group called life after teaching there may be some ideas on there about other jobs linked to your qualifications

I am SLT in an academy and I'd be shocked if our technicians went. The senior yes, as technicians can be managed by their faculty imo. I know our departments would be lost without theirs. Do you feel like there would be a big enough business case to keep you? I'm also suprised the way is quite low to what we pay. You definitely have transferable skills. Are there any private places near you? We have institutes locally and NHS places

OP Do you want to stay as a science technician? Could you have a look at getting a professional technician qualification? Off the top of my head I know you can become a registered science technician which you work towards and doesn't cost much. That way you're showing an interest in the subject which makes you more employable. Or you could look at doing an education and teaching one although I'm not sure about cost of these ect.
There's also the option to be a technician in higher education or private labs or nhs?

As suggested up thread try to concentrate on options rather than worrying. Have a look at what’s out there so that if the school does have to cut jobs you are prepared.