Just to let you know that my friend (trainee fiancée) has applied to join the forum. She will be calling herself Serena, but that is not her real name. Howerd is not my real name either. I will let her speak for herself, once her application to join is accepted. I am sure you will welcome her with open arms.
It is exclusive at the moment, but I have no objection to recruiting a few more trainee fiancées, even though I may regret saying that once she sees this post.
"Trainee Fiancée" is a new concept for us and I'd be grateful if you could explain further. Is this a rigid three or four year program similar to, say, a degree in nursing or in airline management and does OJT (work experience for non-Filipino readers) form an integral part of the training process? Are trainee places limited by the desirability of a staff to pupil ratio of one to one? And given that those studying to become nurses wear nurses' uniforms and trainee flight attendants are dressed to look the part, what uniform are trainee fiancées required to wear?
I am at age where flexibility represents the elixir of life. But OJT will be mandatory towards the end of the training period, I must be absolutely rigid on that requirement. It is hoped the training period, including any OJT, will be complete before News Year Day. As for any uniform, there are really no requirements whatsoever apart from, perhaps, a liberal supply of all-over sun tan lotion.
I assume that you have discussed this requirement with an official from the Health and Safety Executive given that OJT will be taking place during the cold winter months: I suspect HSE would recommend that a warm woollen vest, flannel granny-knickers and 80 denier tights be provided with gloves, a fur hat and sensible walking shoes being added for those activities that take place outdoors. There are also the risks that over-oiling could present but I am sure you're aware of these and I do not need to elucidate! Do we assume that once your trainee, Serena, passes all the various stages that she will be offered a permanent position?
I had hoped to offer pre-employment training in Cebu prior to offering a permanent position in the UK next year. But I am reliably informed that Cebu is a little too hot for such strenuous activity for 8 hours each day, so any training will be delayed until next year in the UK. But this is going to be a family-run business and so I will be visiting Biliran around Xmas to carry out any necessary inspections and interviews but I am sure everything will be fine and I have decided to close applications from anyone else. I have never come across such a considerate trainee who is only concerned about my health whilst visiting their country.
You do know that Christmas is a season and not an event, right? It started four days ago and runs up to New Year's Day!
