I'm 27, left the Air Force about 3 years ago to establish a new career (which isn't exactly working out as planned!). Most of my background is in engineering, yet with my appalling lack of formal qualifications (the Air Force didn't see fit to cross-credit our training into recognised qualifications) I am struggling to find any meaningful work.
I really enjoy helping people and having been a volunteer firefighter for the last 18 months, I know I really want a role full-time in emergency services. Been to multiple serious MVA's where I ended up doing some pretty full-on first aid until the ambo's could get on scene. I love my role with the Fire Service, but can't work out how to make something like this a full-time reality.
Here's the catch:
- I am not physically capable of becoming a paid permanent firefighter (back injury - we don't have to pass fitness tests as volunteers, and as physically fit as I am I know I would struggle with the permanents fitness test).
- Positions as paid permanent ambo's in NZ, to my knowledge, are very few and far between. Like the Fire Service, approximately 90% of staff are volunteers so competition to get the paid positions is quite strong. I might be wrong in this knowledge however? This is what I have always been told.
- I would like to earn & learn at the same time, rather than be in full-time study for 3 years before getting a job (I've been unemployed for about a year, studying part-time to try & improve my job prospects)
We have the ability to move overseas if it would be possible, and we're both rather keen to move overseas if I'm honest.
I stumbled on this forum by chance & I was just wondering if anyone had any advice or suggestions for me to look into. I have considered taking on a generic job & volunteering until I'm qualified, then applying for a permanent paramedic role if/when it comes up. Any thoughts?
I appreciate your help. Thanks in advance.
I really enjoy helping people and having been a volunteer firefighter for the last 18 months, I know I really want a role full-time in emergency services. Been to multiple serious MVA's where I ended up doing some pretty full-on first aid until the ambo's could get on scene. I love my role with the Fire Service, but can't work out how to make something like this a full-time reality.
Here's the catch:
- I am not physically capable of becoming a paid permanent firefighter (back injury - we don't have to pass fitness tests as volunteers, and as physically fit as I am I know I would struggle with the permanents fitness test).
- Positions as paid permanent ambo's in NZ, to my knowledge, are very few and far between. Like the Fire Service, approximately 90% of staff are volunteers so competition to get the paid positions is quite strong. I might be wrong in this knowledge however? This is what I have always been told.
- I would like to earn & learn at the same time, rather than be in full-time study for 3 years before getting a job (I've been unemployed for about a year, studying part-time to try & improve my job prospects)
We have the ability to move overseas if it would be possible, and we're both rather keen to move overseas if I'm honest.
I stumbled on this forum by chance & I was just wondering if anyone had any advice or suggestions for me to look into. I have considered taking on a generic job & volunteering until I'm qualified, then applying for a permanent paramedic role if/when it comes up. Any thoughts?
I appreciate your help. Thanks in advance.