Newbie needs help

[yamamma]

Nope, never deal with the bottom end of the market...

Thanks for the condescending reply . Never would have thought network engineers/designers were bottom end. Not the top of the food chain but definetly not down there with helpdesk and desktop support

[malvolio]

Nope, never deal with the bottom end of the market...

Another site for your list to have a search on - www.jobserve.co.uk/it

[yamamma]

no worries mate, i can see where youre coming from and thanks for the link ill do a bit more reading . Btw you wouldnt happen to know if Cisco Networking Engineers are in high demand in london atm?

[malvolio]

Sorry for my terse question but there is a campaign going on over here to understand why we have 20k contractors out of work at any one time and are still importing base skills via a visa programme that is meant to attract higly valuable workers - you know, sceintists, engineers, surgeons, that kind of thing.

Nothing against you personally, obviously, but you don't fit the profile that our government is telling us they are applying. A few cases such as yours illustrate the point rather well.

Meanwhile, you have some further reading to do...

[yamamma]

Incidentally, I am curious about one thing. How do you get an HSMP visa with a skillset that is neither highly skilled (two years out of uni doesn't really qualify in my book) nor on the list of eiligible skills?? There is not an IT skills shortage in the UK.

Well lucky for me theyre not going by your book The criteria for HSMP are based on 3 main factors, you are rewarded points based on these criteria and if you get 75 points then youre eligible( go to http://www.workpermit.com/uk/hsmp_calculator.htm for more info on how points are awarded):

* Age
* Tertiary Qualification
* Earning Power

Actually have been out of uni for 4 years. Have a total of 6 yrs IT experience but only 2 as a network engineer which is my chosen field now.

[malvolio]

Incidentally, I am curious about one thing. How do you get an HSMP visa with a skillset that is neither highly skilled (two years out of uni doesn't really qualify in my book) nor on the list of eiligible skills?? There is not an IT skills shortage in the UK.

[malvolio]

I have done a lot of reading but i still have some questions,

Haven't done enough then, going by those questions...

Have you read the first timer guide on here and the PCG one at www.pcg.org.uk. If you have, do it again because the answers are in there. If not, do it then try again.

Anyway, it makes a change from people who have actually been working in the UK for years and still think contracting is some kind of employment-lite...

[yamamma]

Hi All,

Firstly i apologise before hand for some of the dumb questions im about to ask. I have done a lot of reading but i still have some questions, i am expecting to get flamed but i hope i get some help too

Secondly a bit about myself. Im a network engineer with 2 yrs exp with a CCNA and a Uni IT Degree and have been doing network support, design and implementation work. I'm arriving in London from Oz in July on a HSMP visa (which doesnt have any work restrictions). After a bit of research i have decided to work as contractor in London.


* I have read the inland revenue "Employed or self-employed?" document and im not sure if i qualify as self-employed. Esp the points regarding work hours, equipment etc. If i am being interviewed by a client do i tell them bfore hand that I determine what hours i work or do i work this out after ive already landed the job and we're negotiating the contract?

* If i go through a umbrella company like Parasol IT for example is there a risk or is it pretty much guaranteed that i wont be pulled up for an "employee"?

* I went to a seminar here in oz of a company catering for IT proffessionals going to work in the UK. For 50p/h They claim to provide " you will be able to claim the first 6 months of your rent as a tax free expense as well as your
flights and travel expenses to the UK. Professional indemnity insurance up to 1,000,000 pounds, completion of any tax returns you are required to complete and a P60 at the end of the financial year showing the exact amount of tax for that period. There are also add ons you may select over and above the basic service, relocation 50p/h (flights, travel insurance, transfers and accommodation), private pension 50p/h (salary sacrificing to a private pension) and a weekly payroll if you prefer for an extra 50p/h.

When i pressed them for more detail i got told The structures which xxxx offers you are a PAYE employee under our limited company which operates inside IR35.

Does this sound like a crap deal compared to other options in the UK?

Thanks for your help