Is the job situation really that bad in the UK?

**June Pixie** · 15-04-2010, 06:30 PM

I only ask because I don't believe it is. In particular I'm talking about electricians, gas fitters, landscapers, gardeners and home maintenance companies.

I can understand bricklayers, plasterers etc not getting the work, with no new builds being thought about, but that's the same all over the place. There are existing properties everywhere that need these trades people.

I've had a busy month or so trying to procure certain trades all over the UK and all I get from CORGI registered plumbers is "fully booked, try British Gas", yeah right! People have been turning work down in my experience. It's either that or unreliable contractors who couldn't give a toss about getting the work or not??!! I'm frustrated as the doom mongerers tell you one thing yet real life tells you another!!!!!!

I believe it's all a big conspiracy - If the rich lose their jobs then they have to make the poorer believe life is uncertain too!!!!

Rant over!!!

**paulv** · 15-04-2010, 07:22 PM

I had three plumbers/radiator fitters at mine today.
Two of them had just got back from Thailand and were looking very well for it.
They obviously weren't feeling too many ill effects from the downturn, but they have their regular customers and word of mouth seems to work.

**Stevenson** · 15-04-2010, 07:33 PM

I am a self-employed plumber in the Glasgow area, I could not say it is all doom and gloom, in-fact January was mental ( 50 calls a day for 3 weeks). Now the big freeze has gone it has now got a lot quieter, but it is still enough to keep me going.
I think some people (like news reporters) are not happy unless they say we are all done for, I say if you are good at your job, you will always be in demand.

**babs08** · 15-04-2010, 07:49 PM

My husband is a Landscaper and we have had work famine for the winter which followed redundancy the year before. However, things are picking up and work seems to be coming thick and fast now :)

**Stevenson** · 15-04-2010, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by babs08

My husband is a Landscaper and we have had work famine for the winter which followed redundancy the year before. However, things are picking up and work seems to be coming thick and fast now :)

It's good to hear things are picking up for your husband, hope it continues.

**June Pixie** · 15-04-2010, 08:01 PM

Babs - I know what you mean. My OH is a tree surgeon and things do dry up in winter. Luckily the growing season is upon us so hopefully looking much better.

**LukeSkywalker** · 15-04-2010, 09:42 PM

Depends what profession/trade you are in. And what age etc. Try telling recent graduates jobs are easy to find - they are not. Also its very localised in terms of problems as well from what I see. London has been hammered this recession and is very "struggly". BUT it is undeniably picking up. Ironically most of the best paying work is in banking. Same old same old.

**Bod** · 15-04-2010, 09:44 PM

Yes its not very good

**chris955** · 15-04-2010, 09:57 PM

It does seem to be localised, some areas have low unemployment, the South West for instance. The problem is that certain sectors of the media will always exaggerate the situation at least 50%. From anecdotal evidence the vast majority haven't been affected by the recession which is always the case.