Under promoted due to my disability

sceneparade

I was a driving instructor and assessor up-until January. I worked indirectly for this company via a third-party training company, who they used to train their trainees up. When three permanent positions for instructor came up, I was told to apply. I did. But then they told me I had an interview and missed it, which I didn't. I was never told. I checked may emails and even the email delete basket and there was nothing. I asked to rearrange it and they said no because the job was closed. This was a lie because my friend from my company was away at the time on holiday and he had an interview when he retuned - 3 weeks later. He got the job. 

 They were looking to employ another three instructors in June this year. I came up with an idea that they could employ me as a relief instructor until a permanent position became available. They said it was a good idea, and they would check with HR. I applied to join them directly, in the hope of being relief instructor. When I informed the training manager I had joined the directly, they bluntly said "yes x as a driver, not a trainer. 

 The issue is, I have been informed by other instructors that they have employed relief instructors over me. A relief instructor is an unqualified instructor who covers for when an actual instructor is away. I AM a qualified instructor. I am more qualified than the instructors who are working there. I am trained by the DVSA and their instructors are not. Logically, I should have easily got the job over relief instructors. 

 I recently heard from my colleague again that a relief instructor quit, so I emailed the training manager and asked to apply. They told me there is no job and no intentions of posting any vacancies in the near future. 

When working via third-party, I had a 100% pass rate, an 100% accurate judgement rate of who would make is as a driver and pass the exam. When I referred them back because I did not believe they had what it takes to pass, they went with another instructor and ALWAYS failed the driving test - as I could see. Hence 100% judgement rate. In addition, I had commendations from trainees. I was also told by the second in charge who works there directly that I was a "good instructor." 

I have what it takes, and proved it. But I believe they won't offer me the job as I have Aspergers and say what I think. I can be blunt. Even though it was no hindrance to getting people through the tests. 

rubin16

sceneparade said:

I was a driving instructor and assessor up-until January. I worked indirectly for this company via a third-party training company, who they used to train their trainees up. When three permanent positions for instructor came up, I was told to apply. I did. But then they told me I had an interview and missed it, which I didn't. I was never told. I checked may emails and even the email delete basket and there was nothing. I asked to rearrange it and they said no because the job was closed. This was a lie because my friend from my company was away at the time on holiday and he had an interview when he retuned - 3 weeks later. He got the job. 

 They were looking to employ another three instructors in June this year. I came up with an idea that they could employ me as a relief instructor until a permanent position became available. They said it was a good idea, and they would check with HR. I applied to join them directly, in the hope of being relief instructor. When I informed the training manager I had joined the directly, they bluntly said "yes x as a driver, not a trainer. 

 The issue is, I have been informed by other instructors that they have employed relief instructors over me. A relief instructor is an unqualified instructor who covers for when an actual instructor is away. I AM a qualified instructor. I am more qualified than the instructors who are working there. I am trained by the DVSA and their instructors are not. Logically, I should have easily got the job over relief instructors. 

 I recently heard from my colleague again that a relief instructor quit, so I emailed the training manager and asked to apply. They told me there is no job and no intentions of posting any vacancies in the near future. 

When working via third-party, I had a 100% pass rate, an 100% accurate judgement rate of who would make is as a driver and pass the exam. When I referred them back because I did not believe they had what it takes to pass, they went with another instructor and ALWAYS failed the driving test - as I could see. Hence 100% judgement rate. In addition, I had commendations from trainees. I was also told by the second in charge who works there directly that I was a "good instructor." 

I have what it takes, and proved it. But I believe they won't offer me the job as I have Aspergers and say what I think. I can be blunt. Even though it was no hindrance to getting people through the tests. 

I'm sorry you feel unappreciated and feel like people are being promoted over you. From the sounds of it it doesn't sound like an ideal employer to work for. Have you looked at perhaps looking somehwere else to be an instructor for?

Also I know alot of instructors are self employed and work their own hours with their own car. Have you looked into this option before? It might be more suited and better serve your needs.

Wishing you all the best,

sceneparade

My instructor training is in HGVs and PCVs, I am about to start another job as a Driver Quality Monitoring (DQM) assessor on behalf of Transport for London (TFL). I would be going around London as a mystery passenger to assess the driving standards of the drivers. In addition, they want me to teach Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) - which all drivers need to do every year in order to keep their licence. The CPC course is a classroom or online teaching course. So, again, my Asperger's doesn't mean I cannot do the job. 

 I am already more qualified than those at my current company - and with these, I would be even more qualified. It seems they just do not want me to ever be promoted beyond driver. 

MW123

@sceneparade

It's understandable to feel disappointed or frustrated, particularly if you were confident in the strength of your qualifications and experience. It's difficult to definitively ascertain how Asperger's might have influenced the outcome of your job application. Assertiveness, commonly valued in many professional settings, could have played a role. There are several potential factors that may have contributed to not being offered the job. These include financial constraints on the company, which may have favoured a less qualified candidate, or other undisclosed considerations you were not aware of.

While it's encouraging to hear that your new role will further increase your qualifications, you may also consider looking for instructor roles at other companies, where your skills will be recognised and appreciated. It seems like you have a lot to offer, and the right company will value your expertise and qualifications. Don't let the actions of one company deter you from your goals. Keep pushing forward, and keep applying for roles that interest you.