So are we all, so people should consider us as well Tony, cos Davey has never put in his application.
I only have a few years before I hand up my clipboard and Hi Vis Colin, and I really enjoy my current job - well most of the time.
We have also been through the recruitment process to get a second fire safety advisor and its been challenging to say the least.
A recent round of interviews featured a guy who lived in the Highlands although the job was London based. When asked if he was moving down or commuting for the week - he admitted he hadn't made his mind up or even mentioned the job to his wife!
Another said he was looking forward to working for XXXX (er, not us. He had applied thinking we were another employer!!!) and we suffered two candidates who volunteered they were hoping another job they had applied for would come up, as they would choose that one first.
Then I asked simple technical stuff:
Coverage of AFD systems from Cat L1 to L5 - all stuttered and faffed about. Most got it wrong
Describe the steps on the HMG and HSE 5 step risk assessment process - all clueless
Later I provided a simple scenario for the applicant to deal with. The overriding brief was for a pragmatic & efficient solution to what would be a temporary issue that would effect a means of escape. The details involved a simple line drawing, a written text outlining the scenario (that I read to them) and the ability to ask me any questions before & during the 10 minute time limit to come up with a proposal where they were left alone with a stack of Govt Guides.
No candidate came up with a proposal costing less than a few ?hundred, and some proposed measures in to ?1000s on commissioning new fire safety infrastructure
The answer I was looking for would be a fire safety management change/a new procedure........... at ?0 cost
We ended up with nobody out of scores who applied and 12 interviewed. We have since completely reorganising how we manage fire safety by separating the training out and using two contractors to deliver our package. This means its only me dashing about doing all the technical stuff. I would rather that than going through another interview round!!!!
