WORKgateways UK e-newsletter
Monthly e-News for the UK Working Traveller
October 2010, Volume 6 Issue 10
The WORKgateways e-newsletter is written for working travellers bound for the UK hailing from all over the globe — from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada and more. Whether you're already in the UK, impatiently awaiting your departure date or thinking about going in the future, we've got something for you. Scroll down to view this month's info.
Contents
What's new
Focus
In every issue
Welcome
We're sad another summer is over as the autumn chill creeps into the air, but now we're looking forward to frosty nights by the fire and more excuses for heading to the pub for a pint! There are still some cool events left at the tail-end of the summer calendar, plus we have some tips for planning a great-value skiing holiday (now is a great time to book ahead and get good deals for the peak season). A new school year started in September, so we have some up-to-date info on UK jobs for teachers and how you can land that perfect position. Happy autumn!
What's New
Need a UK visa?
If you want to work in the UK, the first thing you need to sort out is your UK visa. Depending on your nationality, age and other factors there are a few options that may suit you.
The most common visa type for Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians and Japanese is the Youth Mobility visa, which allows you to work for two years in the UK. Other visa types are Tier 1 (highly skilled) or Tier 2 (which requires sponsorship). Visit WORKgateways visa pages to find out which visa you qualify for and how to apply.
The new UK Border Agency visa website also has lots of useful information, including the latest Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa application form.
Need help with your visa application? We know all the info and forms can be daunting, which is why we've teamed up with 1st Contact to offer you assistance with your Youth Mobility or UK Ancestry visa application. Find out more about the visa assistance service here.
Get your UK adventure started by searching the latest UK job vacancies at WORKgateways or register with recruitment agencies.
Time for sensational ski deals
The summer is barely over but now is a brilliant time to book ahead to get the best deals on ski holidays in Europe and the States - check out our pick of the best destinations...
KITZBUHEL, AUSTRIA - The world famous ski resort of Kitzbühel has been one of the top Austrian ski resorts for years and really does have everything - superb scenery, atmosphere, style and some of the best skiing around. Following the introduction of the 3S Bahn, Kitzbühel is now linked to the Jochberg/Resterhöhe ski area - opening up an even more extensive range of runs. The fashionable resort also offers stylish restaurants, sophisticated nightspots and its own casino - perfect for partygoers.
BANSKO, BULGARIA - A great budget option located at the foot of the beautiful Pirin Mountains, Bansko is a traditional Bulgarian town that has recently developed into a superb ski centre. The ski school instructors will ensure you are well looked after if you book tuition or one of our fantastic ski pack offers. With 65 kilometres of marked ski runs and some great off-piste, all abilities of skiers are well catered for. This rapidly expanding resort, manages to retain a mixture of old world charm along with all its modernity, the development of numerous fantastic new hotels.
VERBIER, SWITZERLAND - Verbier is justifiably famous for being one of the most outstanding ski areas in Europe and lies high in a sunny, well-sheltered position in the heart of Switzerland's southern-most Alps. There's a vast array of tempting shops, as well as many restaurants and lively bars. The ski area is vast, high and varied with over 400km of runs (including Thyon, Veysonnaz and Nendaz) and a glacier at 3,330m, providing even the most proficient skier and snowboarder with a seemingly unlimited number of challenges.
Check out sites like Crystal Ski and Thomson Ski to get some good deals for the upcoming season. If you fancy venturing over to the States or Canada, check out Virgin Holidays or if you are interested in an independent chalet, try Ski Neon in France's 3 Valleys.
Get yourself a UK bank account
Planning ahead can be boring, but in the case of UK banking, it's also very smart. Organising your UK bank account before you leave home will save you tons of time and hassle. It's the one thing that lots of working travellers wish they had organised before they arrived.
We've trawled the masses to come up with some excellent bank account packages that offer you peace of mind and help you get a UK bank account sorted cheaply. Check out the packages we have on offer at WORKgateways here.
If you have any questions about UK banking, or you're not sure about which package is right for you, email our newsletter editor. At WORKgateways, we're all experienced working travellers and we can help you find the right option for you.
Want to get regular updates? Check out our Twitter feed. Or ask any questions on our WORKgateways forum.
Focus
UK jobs for teachers - we need you!
This month we spoke to Carly Parkinson from experienced education recruiter Bluewave International about the great opportunities in the UK for quaified teachers - find out all you need to know here.
WG: Are there any particular candidates you are looking for at the moment?
Carly: We are always on the lookout for talented, qualified secondary school teachers in all areas. However, the major shortage areas are Maths, Science, Resistant Materials and ICT.
WG: What has demand been like recently?
Carly: Although the recruitment for the start of the academic year has passed (September) we are still recruiting for the January 2011 and April 2011 terms. We have experienced a high demand particularly in the shortage areas.
WG: What experience do you need to work in the UK?
Carly: Bluewave assist all teachers with varied experience, those newly qualified, fresh out of university, through to those with over 20 years experience. As long as you hold one of the following we can assist you!: Bachelor/Master of Education - Post graduate teaching qualification - US teaching credential
WG: How would an interested candidate get started looking for a job?
Carly: Register with Bluewave via WORKgateways then sit back and relax while we develop your professional portfolio to market to schools across the UK. Usually, agencies match your details to the jobs they have available. This means your details are only exposed to a limited number of job opportunities and doesn't always lead to a job that's right for you. At Bluewave International, your profile is available to all schools in the UK, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. They can view your teaching profile with details, CV/resume, references and qualifications. Our service to free to teachers, the service we provide is paid for by the school meaning your only cost is getting to the UK. OUR SCHOOLS CHOOSE YOU!
WG: What kind of locations have you got jobs in at the moment?
Carly: We specialise in placing teachers across England and have positions in almost every area. The South East and the counties surrounding London generally have a high proportion of vacancies when compared to other areas.
WG: Any any other good advice you can give candidates wanting to work in the UK?
Carly: Do your research! Teaching in England is an exciting yet daunting experience with many challenges. The more research you do prior to arrival, the easier your transition will be. Using an organisation like Bluewave is also important as we are here to ensure this process is as hassle free as possible for our teachers. We are experienced in dealing with international teachers and can advise you as to some of the challenges you will face as well as supporting you once you are teaching in an English school.
Register with Bluewave International now or Search UK Jobs.
Arriving in London soon? Book short-term accommodation OR book a UK hostel.
International Finance Update
We've partnered with international finance gurus Tranzfers to help you get the best rates and a convenient, reliable service when you're transferring your hard-earned cash between your home country and the UK. Here they give you an update on what to look out for when you're transferring your cash. Visit their website for more info on Tranzfer.
After a great run in the Aussie Dollar, a surprise announcement earlier this week to keep Australia's interest rates on hold weakened the AUD/USD to slightly below the 0.956 level and the AUD/GBP took a tumble to just under 0.604. Despite recent strength against the USD, the NZD has performed poorly against the Pound after a round of disappointing data, including a dip in business confidence. It also dropped with the Aussie interest rate announcement down to just over 0.4665.
With little data out in NZ over the next week, the NZD is likely to continue to take direction from the AUD. Other commodity currencies, such as the CAD, have seen continued strength off the back of the price of gold which made another new high last week. The USD weakened against most of the majors last week (mostly due to poor consumer confidence and the possibility of the U.S. Fed beginning its next round of stimulus measures) but may take strength from some important data out this week such as the non-farm payrolls and unemployment figures out on Friday.
Is this all gobbledegook to you? Just want to know the best ways to transfer your cash and who is the cheapest? Check out the useful info on WORKgateways.
For more information on the markets or making your earnings go as far as possible when sending money overseas, feel free to register to chat with a Tranzfers dealer at Tranzfers.
Enter our prize draw below to get your first international money transfer FREE!
Get a UK tax refund
Most employees in the UK do not get a tax return to fill in and have their income tax deducted by their employers through the PAYE system - this means that you may be entitled to a refund if you have left the UK or have only worked for a portion of the tax year. It's free money! Why not give it a go?
You can get your UK Tax Refund started online by using 1st Contact. They provide a free no obligation assessment and if there is no refund, you dont pay a fee.
Find out about UK tax refunds here or apply for a free, no obligation tax assessment.
In every issue
WIN! Your first international money transfer free!
Got bills to pay in your home country, or savings to send back home? Try our recommended international money transfer service, Tranzfers - we're happy to recommend it because we use it ourselves and we've scoured all the services to find you the best deals. This month, enter our draw to get your first transfer completely free.
Find out more about using Tranzfers at WORKgateways here. If you'd like to register for Tranzfers and get your first transaction for free, just send us an email with TRANzFERS in the subject line. Entries close end of October.
quick job search
