perhaps this should be in careers, but it is really affecting our relationship! DH has low self esteem...

[SugarSkyHigh]

because has been in same job for about 30 years and cant get out. Now it looks like redundancy is imminent (well a few months away). It could be a blessing in disguise, but the only thing he wants to do is write, or teach in Higher Education. And as he is 56 yrs old he has no confidence in being employable. Any advice please, anybody? Feeling a bit desperate about the whole thing

can anyone help????????
or tell me what topic this should be under???

I can't much -sorry
I'm sure with redundancy they have to offer some sort of help with job searching? There MUST be some sort of government agency?

Sorry thats crap

But I found it so its bumped

It sounds as though he may get a generous redundancy package? Has he got a company pension?

My instinct says that life is too short and perhaps you should see it as a blessing in disguise and view it as a fab opportunity to retire early and enjoy life!

But if he does want to work, can he do supply / locum work at all?

Job center? Sorry thats all i can come up with too but there bound to have advisors to help with this sort of thing!

maybe job centre is the best idea, despite being so obvious i hadn't thought of it!

he works at BBC, so the idea of a 'generous redundancy package' is kind of amusing. . Anyway, he says he will probably need it to live off!

Pension is a pittance.

I hope he just takes this whole thing as a boot up the backside.

Really he wants to be a university lecturer, that's his dream.

Are you in London?

Littlemissnorty, I'm afraid there is no option to just retire and enjoy life. With greatly reduced income i imagine we would end up homeless!! i will have to work harder myself i think

Bluestocking - no but it's 25 mins away by train!

He can visit the Jobcentre or the website jobcentreplus.gov.uk..depending on his savings he maybe eligible for Job Seekers Allowance or at least get his remaining credits paid...he can attend college whilst signing so long as the course is under 16hrs per week.

Lots of (well two) BBC people I know teach media/journalism at universities now and a friend of mine was a costume designer and now teaches art and design. I think HE/FE places love people who have experience in the industry. Not nec very cerebral university type lecturing, but could that be an option?

not sure. his specialism is music archives, not media or anything. Not much demand for that i don't think. will check out jobcentre plus website

I see, really good luck

The reason I asked where you were is that I saw some info from a consultancy group called Tribal about local regeneration including free career advice. However, it may be that it's regional - I've googled them and there's nothing about it on their website.
I would think that the BBC would be under an obligation to offer some sort of careers advice to anyone they make redundant. Can he bring himself to talk to HR to find out what's on offer?

No help to offer on the relationship side, sorry, but I can help on the redundancy side. He will be entitled to, at a minimum, statutory redundancy pay, which is paid tax free up to the first £20K It won't be a huge amount, but it might help out for a while. He should also get paid/or have to work statutory notice period which for his length of service will be 12 weeks at full pay, unless his contract is more generous.

Once/if he is under notice of redundancy he is entitled to take reasonable time off to attend training and interviews.

Most large companies, and I would hope that the BBC are not an exception often offer training to support people who are going through redundancies. Interview training, help with CVs, etc.

I know it's a kick in the teeth to lose a job after 30 years, but these things are often a blessing in disguise. Honest.

Best of luck.

does he not like his job? you don't say. Some people are happy to be in the same job all their lives. Is it you who has a problem with it rather than him?

Just read this - I work at the BBC (regional)in a music library and I love it.

Has he not thought of putting himself forward in the latest BBC redundancies? I think the deadline has passed now but if he really wanted to go he could have put himself forward this month. Depending on how long he has worked there I think the redundancy is paid according to how long he has worked there and up to a certain amount.

Jobs in academia including teaching, admin, research etc. tend to be advertised on www.jobs.ac.uk. However I suspect he may be more successful looking at FE/HE as shreddies has suggested. Sometimes it's people with experience of 'real life' they re looking for.

Our local col lege puts ads for jobs on its own website and I guess most of the others do too.

thank you all for your comments and suggestions. It really is an immense help... just to read through the ideas etc.