Unemployed with no medical!

[Unregistered]

I have been looking for my first posting after completing my CoC and my Medical Certificate just expired.

Being unemployed I have very little cash so cant afford one for at least a month (or two depending how much I get taken for in my bills). How important is it to have a medical when applying for a position? Can you still get offered employment pending a medical? Should I just wait till I have a medical before applying again?

[Randomist]

Hello there! Thanks for posting.

It's theoretically possible tha a company may take you on without a current medical (I assume you've held one before). But I would have thought it's more likely they would want you to get one before they confirmed your offer of employment.

Some companies will re-emberse you for the cost of your medical so you would get the money back but you would have to pay the initial cost yourself. They're ?80 as I'm sure you know. Not the cheapest of things you need but unfortunately it's necessary.

[Unregistered]

So would you suggest just applying including my expired certificate until I can afford another one?

[thebrookster]

I have to say, all the adverts I have seen have required and valid ENG1, I should have thought it could be a big hinderence not having one.

Having said that, I am away to an interview tomorrow, and the first half of the day is medicals!! From what it would appear, it is probably going to be the most in-depth medical I have EVER had (and I have been hospitalised twice!!), and am kinda hoping I get a copy of it! (I have a valid ENG already as well). Eye tests, audio tests, chest x-rays the lot. Apparently I get fitness tests as well!

I hope I get the job after it!!

[Lewis]

Ask at the job centre. Maybe their is some sort of funding if you explain it's a requirement to work in the sector?

[thebrookster]

Ask at the job centre. Maybe their is some sort of funding if you explain it's a requirement to work in the sector?

Worth a try, though they quite likely will say that they need a firm job offer to fund it.

I know I was told a couple of weeks ago that the jobcentre could possibly fund an Oil DCE, but only if I had a concrete job offer that was held up because of it. However, the DCE is only needed for tankers, so you may well be able to argue for the cost of the medical on the grounds you cannot work at all without it!

[Lewis]

if you live in scotland coucan get ?200 of cost of short courses of the Ila. If you earn less than 22k a year. Doubt it would cover an eng1 though. http://www.ilascotland.org.uk/ILA+Homepage.htm

[Unregistered]

Funds for job seekers

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/grants-low-income#js

Maybe of some use perhaps for funds for ENG1 whilst unemployed. Has other useful info too.

[Randomist]

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/fam...-low-income#js
Maybe of some use perhaps for funds for ENG1 whilst unemployed. Has other useful info too.

This is related to job seekers allowance while you're unemployed. Last time I checked it was around ?50 a week. I would exercise caution if thinking about applying for this.

[Unregistered]

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/fam...-low-income#js
Maybe of some use perhaps for funds for ENG1 whilst unemployed. Has other useful info too.

The reason why I signposte this was because it reads :Each Jobcentre Plus has a little-known 'Flexible Support Fund' to help support jobseekers looking for work.

Each centre decides how to use their fund which can include things like costs of transport, childcare, work clothes, tools and more (during the job search or to enable you to accept an offer of employment) if an advisor believes it'll make the transition into work easier. As your local office if it provides any help.

The cash can be requested for any reasonable expense yet no one has a right to the money - it?s completely at the discretion of each advisor, who will look for specific needs. If you think it?ll help you, speak to an advisor at your local Jobcentre Plus.

I just thought going along and asking with perhaps a few job adverts where they ask for a medical, even copy of the posts on here, would perhaps help make a point with them? As they say nothing ventured nothing gained all they can say is No. It would seem that to have a medical gets you working quicker which ultimately should be the aim.
Are there anyseafarers charitable organisations that could help maybe even a loan which could be paid back once successful? If you aren't working at teh moment you have time to have a good look around, at least keeps boredom at bay!

[Clanky]

You could also contact the Marine Society or King George's fund for Sailors and ask about the possibility of a loan to cover the cost of your medical until such time as you get your first salary.