Don't you just love it when a plan comes together

[bobleponge]

So here was the plan.

I was working away killing all manner of fowl ready for the goodly folk of France to consume over the Christmas dinner table, and realised that, as much as I enjoyed the job, it simply wasn't going to pay the mortgage. I had also realised though, that I loved being in France and living in my home full time.
Ta daaaahhhh, the phone rings, I'm offered a job in Algeria, on a decent salary, 4/4 rotation, starting just after the new year. Hmm, thinks long and hard as dont really want to go away anymore.
The plan is formed.

After much searching on the interweb I found that I can do a plumbing course in the UK which I can transfer across to France and start work as a plumber. Best of all, I phoned them, and they told me I can do it in segments of 2 or 3 weeks each leave until I have qualified. I will go and do a few rotations in Algeria, build up a bit of capital in the bank, pay for the course, and have money spare for when I start work around here, as it will clearly be slow as I wont be known. Plan looking good. Phoned the temp agencies in town and explained the plan, they all told me I could work every day if I wanted, as a qualified plumber, they always had loads of work.Went down to the Algerian consulate in Nantes today to get my visa, for step one of the plan ................................
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Computer says no!!!No visa for M Leponge! The plan is ruined, I am gutted and my drawing board has no back left on it to go to.

[FionaH]

Oh heck, I was getting all excited for you there

[Snadger]

Basic plumbing is one thing but when you need to get Corgi registered and get your gas certificates on an annual basis I would imagine it could get quite expensive?

Good luck though Bob, my dear auld Dad always wanted me to become a plumber claiming "They'll always need plumbers"...........from what you say it appears he was correct in his asumption!!

[zazen999]

Um....did they say why the refusal?

[bobleponge]

I wouldnt be doing the gas qual in the UK Snadge, I would do that over here eventually. All I need to do is get the course done once in the UK, get my certificate and hand it into the Chambre de Metiers here, they give me a French equivalent certificate (takes less than a week I'm told) and I can start work.

All I need is a few months away somewhere dangerous and horrid to fund it all.

[bobleponge]

No Zaz, and even when I asked I was smiled at politely and told that they had no need to give me a reason.

[zazen999]

Hmmm....annoying isn't it. I wasn't allowed to do teacher training because I haven't got a GCSE in English. I have A level English, and a degree in English. But not having a GCSE apparently I couldn't get in.

[bobleponge]

I have 4 previous visa's from working in Algeria, all of them issued with a minimum of fuss. Most tiresome.

[zazen999]

I don't suppose there is an appeal process... [I'll get my coat right now if you want]

[bobleponge]

*gently passes coat*

[Snadger]

Do you need a Visa to do a training course?

[zazen999]

*passes coat to Snadger*

[zazen999]

Which course is it? Who is the provider?

[bobleponge]

I need to go away somewhere and earn the cash to pay for said training course.
Was offered the job in Algeria which would have been perfect.
But sadly, not to be.

[bobleponge]

Its an NVQ level 2 plumbing course in York, cant remember the name of the provider off the top of my bonce, but it all looked pretty good.

I have no doubts I will get another job offer somewhere equally lovely sometime soon, so will get to fulfill my desire, but I was crushed today on the journey home from Nantes. So crushed I drove straight past the blue and yellow Swedish place that is nearby instead of popping in as I usually do.