Working Full Time While Studying Part Time

Empharand on 16/01/2020 - 13:32
Last edited 16/01/2020 - 13:34

Hi guys,

I'm currently working full time (38 hours a week). I'm looking at studying a course which requires me to take 1 day off every 3 weeks. I have spoken to my job recruitment agency (unfortunately I'm going through one of them) and I was told that they can ask my current employer but the answer will likely be no, I was also told that they would struggle to find me full time work if I did want to pursue such that course, I was practically guilt tripped into sticking with the current employer without doing the course.

My issue is that I tried to do the course 9-10 years ago but at that point my financials weren't healthy (I had just left year 12, no job and had very little money to my name and no licence or car). This course wasn't government funded at the time therefore the full cost of the course was 7-8k, which wasn't fesible due the situation at the time. I'm now at a point where I'm financially healthy and want to pursue that course while working full time.

There are no online course alternatives, there's one provider that does it in Melbourne.

I didn't think 1 day off every 3 weeks would be an issue considering I work in a call centre type environment and my 2 direct colleagues work 3 days a week due to their own commitments.

I currently have a mortgage, bills etc (you know, the fun stuff) so I can't work part time.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or can anyone give me suggestions on how I can make it work? I don't mind changing employers but I understand that you need to get good with your employer before making such a request.

Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

Thank you.

Education & Work

Comments

  • elgrande on 16/01/2020 - 13:42
    +2

    Is there any way to do the course 100% online?

    Recruitment agency gets a comission so would not want you to work less. Have you tried talking to your manager?

    • Empharand on 16/01/2020 - 13:44

      Unfortunately not as there's a practical side to the course, however I have asked the question whether they can cater to a full-time work schedule.

      I haven't asked my manager directly, although you are right the conversation I had with my agency did seem very biased as they were practically guilt tripping me to not do it

      • HighAndDry on 16/01/2020 - 14:00
        -2

        There's no guilt tripping. Employers need full time workers who can work a full time schedule, not someone who needs regular days off.

        Though I'm curious what course this is that wasn't govt funded before and only has one provider in Melb even now.

      • one man clan on 16/01/2020 - 16:38

        I think the agency's reaction has more to do with them losing their fee if your employer isn't happy with the request.

        Edit: this has been said many times below. Oops

  • Seraphin7 on 16/01/2020 - 13:47
    +3

    You need to speak to the employer directly. One way or another, they are the ones that will make the choice, the recruitment agency just skims off a percentage of your earnings while passing the money from the employer to you. They don't want to get involved in this. Whether or not that will be met with approval is an entirely different matter.

  • trustnoone on 16/01/2020 - 13:51

    I was told that they can ask my current employer

    Wouldn't this be the way to go? I imagine even if your recruitment agency were fully supportive on the idea, they'd still have to ask your employer if it would be possible. Might be worth looking to see if theres any policies or anything (if the company is big enough) even for permanent employees to gauge whether they're typically supportive on the idea.

    • Bargain80 on 16/01/2020 - 14:36

      OP, who's your employer? the company or the agency?
      the employer is who you sign employment contract with.
      Contract will say your leave entitlement.

      • Empharand on 16/01/2020 - 15:17

        I'm currently a full-time temp so I don't have any entitlements yet..

  • ajm on 16/01/2020 - 14:21
    +1

    I would have a chat to your manager, perhaps you can add an extra 30mins to the days you're at work to make up for the day you're at school.

    And I wouldn't bother expecting support with these kinds of things from the recruitment firm. With all due respect to these companies, they don't work for you, they work for the employer - the one who pays the bills - so generally they'll put the interests of the employer ahead of the candidate.

    • Empharand on 16/01/2020 - 15:17

      That's actually a really good suggestion about making up the time elsewhere, didn't actually think of that.

      and yeah I got that vibe, this particular agency keeps convincing my employer to keep extending my temp period (obviously to keep making $$$), 5 months later I'm still a temp.

      • HighAndDry on 16/01/2020 - 15:19
        +1

        If you're employed through the agency, you'll always be a temp. That's the nature of the role. You can ask your manager if there's a way for you to transition to PT/FT and directly employed by them, but their contract with the agency might forbid that.

        And as long as you're a temp there, you are also getting paid. The agency only gets paid as long as you are.

  • tsunamisurfer on 16/01/2020 - 14:49
    +1

    Please do not talk to your employment agency about your studies / plans with the view of them being helpful.

    a) They have placed you in a role now that is making them money, you reducing your hours means LESS money for them.

    b) You should have picked up their tone in your discussion, THEY would find it hard to place you in another role in that new field??? Like they are the only agencies that could place candidates?? They are not. If you want to go into a new field and see a future in it (you have to assess this for yourself) go ahead, don't let the agency talk you out of it.

    As mentioned before, talk you your place of work and ask if you can take time time off to study. Most places don't mind, some even encourage it.

  • Porker on 16/01/2020 - 15:33

    Is the study related to your current work? If so, then this may work in favour of getting support from the company. Is your position at the company time-money critical, eg. if you're not in that position then the company loses money?

    I wouldn't be comparing yourself to the 2 colleagues either and the benefits they have, unless they're operating under the same working agreement as you. If they're employed directly by the company, then you're comparing apples to oranges.

    I think your weakest link in achieving your outcome is that you're employed by the agency, not the company you're working at daily.

    I did my entire post-graduate study via correspondence which was offered by the university. Maybe see if there are other universities interstate that have the course, and offer by correspondence. Then work during the day and study at night.

  • Gronk on 16/01/2020 - 17:19

    I've just completed a uni degree which I balanced alongside full time employment for the last 6 years -

    The first thing I did was to get into a role which would allow me to work more flexible hours, which unfortunately meant I took a hefty pay cut.

    Beyond that all I did was tally up the hours I spent out of the business and came to an agreement with my manager when I'd make them back up, choosing an institution that's close to work will help as well.

  • ms_caz on 16/01/2020 - 17:20

    What is the course you are planning to undertake? Who is the course provider? Just doing a quick mental scan and I can’t think of many/any courses that are only offered by one institution, with a prac component. How long will your course take? I am a careers practitioner so might have some insight into the education provider part of your question.

  • Vote for Pedro on 23/01/2020 - 17:55

    Remember the recruitment agency has one goal: self interest.

  • chemax on 26/01/2020 - 22:08

    Simple solution. Speak to your employer and ask permission to take 1 day annual leave every three weeks to study. They won't likely say no as they get your new talents for free and you are using your own entitlements.

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