FTE Jerez Instructor Recruitment
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FTE Jerez Instructor Recruitment
I am trying to find out some background information regarding FTE ground instructor positions.
I have just applied for a position I have seen advertised for ATPL ground instructors. I applied previously but received no reply and notice that they frequently advertise. I also hear that they have a fairly high turnover of staff (which is why I assume they advertise a lot) and wonder if there is a problem at FTE (salary, terms, workload, management?) or is it Spain?
Does anyone know what the terms are? Is accommodation provided initially? do they offer relocation? Is the work contract or permanent?
I would also like to hear first hand experience of anyone settling out in Spain as to current conditions (I see the news coverage about unemployment etc). What is taxation really like in Spain? I have done some research into moving there and think I have it covered but would like to hear from those who have or have not been employed there.
Thanks in advance.
Stn120
I have just applied for a position I have seen advertised for ATPL ground instructors. I applied previously but received no reply and notice that they frequently advertise. I also hear that they have a fairly high turnover of staff (which is why I assume they advertise a lot) and wonder if there is a problem at FTE (salary, terms, workload, management?) or is it Spain?
Does anyone know what the terms are? Is accommodation provided initially? do they offer relocation? Is the work contract or permanent?
I would also like to hear first hand experience of anyone settling out in Spain as to current conditions (I see the news coverage about unemployment etc). What is taxation really like in Spain? I have done some research into moving there and think I have it covered but would like to hear from those who have or have not been employed there.
Thanks in advance.
Stn120
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FTE have a huge turn over of Instructors. You will be expected to relocate at you own expense and sort your of logistics in terms of accommodation etc. Pay rates are market average with them and Spain is quite cheap.
Taxation is quite high and you will be double taxed if you have assets outside of Spain which is driving a lot of the Brits home.
They struggle to fill the Ground Instructor roles as you really need to know your onions when it comes their expectations.
They also put people on 6 month trials and often terminate them at the end which is why the jobs are advertised so frequently. This can be a problem if you have moved out lock stock and barrel.
Taxation is quite high and you will be double taxed if you have assets outside of Spain which is driving a lot of the Brits home.
They struggle to fill the Ground Instructor roles as you really need to know your onions when it comes their expectations.
They also put people on 6 month trials and often terminate them at the end which is why the jobs are advertised so frequently. This can be a problem if you have moved out lock stock and barrel.
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Thanks Bose,
sounds like they want the best but are not willing to pay for it. If you have to pay to relocate yourself to another country and contend with double taxation, then I feel that it may not be worth it, I certainly cannot consider moving my family out for 6 months with the risk of having my contract ended at the end of that period and I'm not prepared to spend 6 months away from them.
I had heard that the Spanish wanted to know about all your assets elsewhere and include them in your Spanish tax bill. I also heard that they tax ex-pats at a higher rate.
Do you know if you FTE give you medical cover whilst you are there?
If the Spanish tax you, does that mean you have to become resident?
I'm not sure it maybe such a good deal as I might have initially thought.
sounds like they want the best but are not willing to pay for it. If you have to pay to relocate yourself to another country and contend with double taxation, then I feel that it may not be worth it, I certainly cannot consider moving my family out for 6 months with the risk of having my contract ended at the end of that period and I'm not prepared to spend 6 months away from them.
I had heard that the Spanish wanted to know about all your assets elsewhere and include them in your Spanish tax bill. I also heard that they tax ex-pats at a higher rate.
Do you know if you FTE give you medical cover whilst you are there?
If the Spanish tax you, does that mean you have to become resident?
I'm not sure it maybe such a good deal as I might have initially thought.
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FTE give you nothing other than a wage. Spain has a health system which as an EU national you can use. You can then top up with private health care. You will see two those of hospital in Spain the NHS type and the Medicare type.
Yes the Spanish will tax you on world wide assets regardless if your domicile for the UK and its at the Spanish higher rate.
If you gave a family that you want to up and move its a very big risk if your contract does not pan out.
Yes the Spanish will tax you on world wide assets regardless if your domicile for the UK and its at the Spanish higher rate.
If you gave a family that you want to up and move its a very big risk if your contract does not pan out.
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Thanks Bose,
I think if they get back to me, I might decline as I have a few other irons in the fire along with my current job. Better the devil you know.
I've also been chatting to a couple of guys (one who used to work there and one who has a friend there), They both said similar, the ground school seems to be a bit dis-organised with contract instructors coming and going.
I also hear one person may be spoiling things for others and causing some of the resignations. I wonder how long FTE will be able to cope with such a throughput of instructors before the market dries up on them?
I think if they get back to me, I might decline as I have a few other irons in the fire along with my current job. Better the devil you know.
I've also been chatting to a couple of guys (one who used to work there and one who has a friend there), They both said similar, the ground school seems to be a bit dis-organised with contract instructors coming and going.
I also hear one person may be spoiling things for others and causing some of the resignations. I wonder how long FTE will be able to cope with such a throughput of instructors before the market dries up on them?
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I left Jerez a while ago so I can set the record straight.
Probation period is 3 months not 6 but it is true that several have not made the grade.
There is a small relocation allowance, not sure of the exact amount currently, and you have free accommodation on site for the first month.
You would need to become tax resident in Spain and be taxed like a national. That does include worldwide assets, property, savings etc. Penalties for not declaring are extremely draconian.
Cost of living dearer than UK in some things, cheaper in others.
Education for kids only in Spanish unless you pay for private and you won't find that locally.
You have full access to the national health system but a lot of people opt for private insurance.
In the last 2 years or so there has been an enormous turnover in staff, so most of the current are relatively new. Prior to that the workforce had been quite stable. As insinuated in a previous post one of the most cited reasons for leaving, including mine, centered around one individual.
Rumours I'm currently hearing suggest pay cuts for some staff, don't know any more than that.
Be pleased to answer any other questions you have.
Probation period is 3 months not 6 but it is true that several have not made the grade.
There is a small relocation allowance, not sure of the exact amount currently, and you have free accommodation on site for the first month.
You would need to become tax resident in Spain and be taxed like a national. That does include worldwide assets, property, savings etc. Penalties for not declaring are extremely draconian.
Cost of living dearer than UK in some things, cheaper in others.
Education for kids only in Spanish unless you pay for private and you won't find that locally.
You have full access to the national health system but a lot of people opt for private insurance.
In the last 2 years or so there has been an enormous turnover in staff, so most of the current are relatively new. Prior to that the workforce had been quite stable. As insinuated in a previous post one of the most cited reasons for leaving, including mine, centered around one individual.
Rumours I'm currently hearing suggest pay cuts for some staff, don't know any more than that.
Be pleased to answer any other questions you have.
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I left there earlier this year and yes they were struggling to cover all the subjects. Relying on contract instructors. I had my concerns at the end of last year as to where things were going, with many experienced instructors leaving. The hierarchy were holding meetings to try and find out why, but doing very little to solve the problem. It certainly wasn't a very happy place to be.
Jerez is a beautiful area of Spain and great place to settle down. Spain can be cheap in certain areas but expensive in others. The Taxation is the biggest concern among the employees there which is why many prefer to work as contract instructors and pay tax in their own country.
Added to additional expenses such as either having your car registered in Spain or buying a car there (second hand cars are more expensive than the UK). Finding rental places to live after the first 4 weeks. Note: In that part of Spain, you have to pay agents fees of up to 1 months rent to the letting agents, along with 1 month rent deposit and 1 month in advance. Housing standards are not quite what you expect in the UK. No insulation so cold in the winter. Internet speeds are not what you get in the UK. Furnishings are fairly sparse and rooms are quite a bit smaller.
If the rumours of reduced pay scales is true, then I think it will be the thin edge of the wedge for those living there, who are already unhappy about the loss of salary sacrifice benefits on rents and car leasing which erodes their income by increasing the tax element.
The relocation allowance is not huge, just about enough to move a van full of personal effects from the UK to Jerez and there are limitations as to what you can justifiably use it for. Plus it is repayable if you leave within 2 years, it will only be paid after the probation period.
Jerez is a beautiful area of Spain and great place to settle down. Spain can be cheap in certain areas but expensive in others. The Taxation is the biggest concern among the employees there which is why many prefer to work as contract instructors and pay tax in their own country.
Added to additional expenses such as either having your car registered in Spain or buying a car there (second hand cars are more expensive than the UK). Finding rental places to live after the first 4 weeks. Note: In that part of Spain, you have to pay agents fees of up to 1 months rent to the letting agents, along with 1 month rent deposit and 1 month in advance. Housing standards are not quite what you expect in the UK. No insulation so cold in the winter. Internet speeds are not what you get in the UK. Furnishings are fairly sparse and rooms are quite a bit smaller.
If the rumours of reduced pay scales is true, then I think it will be the thin edge of the wedge for those living there, who are already unhappy about the loss of salary sacrifice benefits on rents and car leasing which erodes their income by increasing the tax element.
The relocation allowance is not huge, just about enough to move a van full of personal effects from the UK to Jerez and there are limitations as to what you can justifiably use it for. Plus it is repayable if you leave within 2 years, it will only be paid after the probation period.
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It is interesting that their website has changed since the New Year.
Previously there were advertisements for flight instructors, ground instructors, MCC instructors and a variety of other posts.
Now the website is showing a requirement for only ATPL ground instructors.
Yet the above Posts suggest an even greater requirement for flight instructors - yet no advertisement.
Could it be that the company was embarrassed to be always showing a requirement for instructors on the one hand whilst on the other trying to court new clients?
It can't be good for new business if you are trying to sell a service, yet showing publicly that you are having difficulties providing that service.
General opinion seems to be that there will be a shortage of instructors able to deliver CPL/IR flying instruction under the EASA requirements.
So even if pay and conditions improve and the reputation or FTEJerez as an employer are restored, there will still be one part of the equation which is difficult to resolve.
Maybe outsourcing contract instructors is the way forward? However, it can be a short-term 'patch', rather than a long-term 'solution'.
Previously there were advertisements for flight instructors, ground instructors, MCC instructors and a variety of other posts.
Now the website is showing a requirement for only ATPL ground instructors.
Yet the above Posts suggest an even greater requirement for flight instructors - yet no advertisement.
Could it be that the company was embarrassed to be always showing a requirement for instructors on the one hand whilst on the other trying to court new clients?
It can't be good for new business if you are trying to sell a service, yet showing publicly that you are having difficulties providing that service.
General opinion seems to be that there will be a shortage of instructors able to deliver CPL/IR flying instruction under the EASA requirements.
So even if pay and conditions improve and the reputation or FTEJerez as an employer are restored, there will still be one part of the equation which is difficult to resolve.
Maybe outsourcing contract instructors is the way forward? However, it can be a short-term 'patch', rather than a long-term 'solution'.
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Just had a very long chat with a friend who still works there (not for much longer he says).
The current situation looks very bad.
The permanent flying instructors are about to be handed new contracts (pay cut), sign them or walk. A bunch of contractors are leaving in the next few days which is causing a bit of a panic in the flying department.
The ground school is limping along, several new guys are very inexperienced and teaching subjects they, themselves, are struggling to learn. The last three they took on aren't native English speakers - could be a problem. One of the "old hands" has returned but the feeling is that he is probably only around until something suitable comes up elsewhere. Other former ground instructors would be interested in returning but not while a certain person remains in post.
MCC/JOC rely almost wholly on outside contractors with only two full timers.
So far only flying instructors are having their contracts "re-negotiated" but the other departments feel it is only a matter of time.
As mentioned in another post the loss of tax relief on salary sacrifice has had a significant effect on disposable incomes.
All in all things look pretty dire.
The current situation looks very bad.
The permanent flying instructors are about to be handed new contracts (pay cut), sign them or walk. A bunch of contractors are leaving in the next few days which is causing a bit of a panic in the flying department.
The ground school is limping along, several new guys are very inexperienced and teaching subjects they, themselves, are struggling to learn. The last three they took on aren't native English speakers - could be a problem. One of the "old hands" has returned but the feeling is that he is probably only around until something suitable comes up elsewhere. Other former ground instructors would be interested in returning but not while a certain person remains in post.
MCC/JOC rely almost wholly on outside contractors with only two full timers.
So far only flying instructors are having their contracts "re-negotiated" but the other departments feel it is only a matter of time.
As mentioned in another post the loss of tax relief on salary sacrifice has had a significant effect on disposable incomes.
All in all things look pretty dire.
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I am not surprised they are not advertising certain things.
To be honest this thread has started smelling very similar to the cabair threads leading up to its final demise.
I can't see BA being to happy with what's being reported on here.
To be honest this thread has started smelling very similar to the cabair threads leading up to its final demise.
I can't see BA being to happy with what's being reported on here.
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I will probably try and catch up for a beer tonight or tomorrow with one of my Instructors who jumped ship and found the grass very wilted and brown to see what the latest scoop is.
Are there non ATPL holder/held instructors there? How does that work. I'm guessing everybody must a license how do the SFIs exist without type ratings? Or do do they have them.
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Most of the Instructors are just normal CPL/IR FIs. Then there are a bunch of multi IR instructors. I also think there are a few retired ATPL guys down the MCC stuff.
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Warriors are still there. How old are they now?
DA 42s replacing the old Senecas slowly, leased I believe.
As far as I know some investment bank took a whole load of shares a few years ago, doubtless they'll be screaming for their divvy each year.
DA 42s replacing the old Senecas slowly, leased I believe.
As far as I know some investment bank took a whole load of shares a few years ago, doubtless they'll be screaming for their divvy each year.
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It is interesting that their website has changed since the New Year.
Previously there were advertisements for flight instructors, ground instructors, MCC instructors and a variety of other posts.
Now the website is showing a requirement for only ATPL ground instructors.
Previously there were advertisements for flight instructors, ground instructors, MCC instructors and a variety of other posts.
Now the website is showing a requirement for only ATPL ground instructors.
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A bit of clarity
As someone who has been close to people working at FTE I would disagree with some of the comments posted. Although some people seem well informed there are also comments made without foundation.
FTE Ground School has had a reasonable change of instructors with some long-term ones leaving for various reasons: fear of tax rules being one of them, more of which below. But no two instructors have left for the same reasons, and some who have left have found that life isn't necessarily greener elsewhere. There is a 3 month probation period and after that period an instructor should be able to instruct to the required standard. Recently, unfortunately, some potential instructors did not come up to that standard, so were released.
There are some non-English instructors, but as the school is multi-national then this does not have a bearing as long as the instructor has a good degree of knowledge and can communicate effectively in English. It is a period of transition, but the overall atmosphere in the ground school seems a happy one.
In some respects living in Spain is much cheaper than the UK. If you go to Spain and expect to live the same as the UK (in a little England) and complain that things are not the same as the UK then maybe it is not the place for you. However if you accept that things are different and embrace the culture I’m sure that you will find that you will have a great life: you certainly use fewer heartbeats. The cost of renting a property is cheaper, the weekly shop is cheaper and the cost of utilities, although not necessarily cheaper than the UK, is lower as you do not need to pay for heating all year round and aircon is rarely necessary in summer.
The tax situation is the same as the UK – in the UK if you have assets overseas you are going to have to declare them – exactly the same in Spain. You are not double taxed as there are double taxation agreements between UK and Spain, but you will have to complete a tax return each year (just like the UK). In general, those Brits leaving Spain are the ones who do not want to declare assets to either UK or Spanish authorities, but by 2015 the requirement will be that all European countries will have their citizens declaring all overseas assets.
Jerez has a lot to offer – the climate, the surrounding area; with some beautiful places to visit and beaches nearby. If you want to put your children into school they can go to state school where it will not cost, or you can pay to send them to English/Spanish speaking schools.
My suggestion would be take the time to go and visit, then make an informed decision. Once there you may be pleasantly surprised.
FTE Ground School has had a reasonable change of instructors with some long-term ones leaving for various reasons: fear of tax rules being one of them, more of which below. But no two instructors have left for the same reasons, and some who have left have found that life isn't necessarily greener elsewhere. There is a 3 month probation period and after that period an instructor should be able to instruct to the required standard. Recently, unfortunately, some potential instructors did not come up to that standard, so were released.
There are some non-English instructors, but as the school is multi-national then this does not have a bearing as long as the instructor has a good degree of knowledge and can communicate effectively in English. It is a period of transition, but the overall atmosphere in the ground school seems a happy one.
In some respects living in Spain is much cheaper than the UK. If you go to Spain and expect to live the same as the UK (in a little England) and complain that things are not the same as the UK then maybe it is not the place for you. However if you accept that things are different and embrace the culture I’m sure that you will find that you will have a great life: you certainly use fewer heartbeats. The cost of renting a property is cheaper, the weekly shop is cheaper and the cost of utilities, although not necessarily cheaper than the UK, is lower as you do not need to pay for heating all year round and aircon is rarely necessary in summer.
The tax situation is the same as the UK – in the UK if you have assets overseas you are going to have to declare them – exactly the same in Spain. You are not double taxed as there are double taxation agreements between UK and Spain, but you will have to complete a tax return each year (just like the UK). In general, those Brits leaving Spain are the ones who do not want to declare assets to either UK or Spanish authorities, but by 2015 the requirement will be that all European countries will have their citizens declaring all overseas assets.
Jerez has a lot to offer – the climate, the surrounding area; with some beautiful places to visit and beaches nearby. If you want to put your children into school they can go to state school where it will not cost, or you can pay to send them to English/Spanish speaking schools.
My suggestion would be take the time to go and visit, then make an informed decision. Once there you may be pleasantly surprised.