Anyone on an apprenticeship - Did you need a medical?

DanTheMan · 15 Jun 2009 at 22:34

To cut a long story short, I'm looking into apprenticeships but have heard that for some you need to pass a medical. I have an illness that may affect my chances and I'm just wondering what sort of things they're looking for in the medical? Is it eyesight, physical disability, epilepsy, anthing that could kill you or do they also looks for things such as diabetes etc.?

Cheers

Indy500 · 15 Jun 2009 at 22:37

Are you at liberty to tell us what kind of illness you have? Without that I couldn't give you a specific answer. Depends on the nature of the job as well.

Doctor_Zhivago · 15 Jun 2009 at 22:39

I'd guess it's HIV since he's not telling

SexyGreyFox · 15 Jun 2009 at 22:42

I'm taking on an Apprentice with coeliacs disease, I have one with aspergers and another who was in an horrendous car accident with a mangled arm & leg.
I've even got one who is a Port Vale fan.
Because of Equality & Diversity you shouldn't really have a medical and the only thing I ask for is what jabs they've had because they have to be TB jabbed.
Even if they say they have had it we still get them mantouxed (unless they have proof).

DB_SamX · 15 Jun 2009 at 22:49

Doctor_Zhivago said:
I'd guess it's HIV since he's not telling

Comic Book Guy said:
Ooh, your powers of deduction are exceptional. I can't allow you to waste them here when there are so many crimes going unsolved at this very moment. Go, go, for the good of the city.

On a more serious note, I don't really think it matters unless it influences the job directly. I had a medical for a desk based engineering job and I was worried as I have Crohn's Disease but it was no big deal at all. Not even a blood test. Just blood pressure, chest exam and a few questions.

DanTheMan · 15 Jun 2009 at 22:49

I've got ulcerative colitis, it's similar to chrohn's and coeliacs in symptoms. I'm looking towards plumbing/electrician/air conditioning engineer apprenticeships mainly.

Jokester · 15 Jun 2009 at 22:56

It's not likely to be something to cause you any issues for a work medical though you will likely be asked about it on a questionaire.

Mains things they would look for is hearing, eyesight, height and weight, blood pressure/heart rate, reflexes, spine check (dunno what they're looking for), and maybe drug testing or checking for diabetes. At least that's what I normally get done, plus the occasional "man handling"

Aman · 15 Jun 2009 at 22:59

For my medical i had a medical condition that i thought would have affected it but in the end they just wrote to my doctor to make sure i was suitable to work. Plus i had the normal medical.

Hearing, eyesight, lung function test, drug/alcohol test.

Best thing to do is just be honest with them and it should all go fine.

DanTheMan · 15 Jun 2009 at 23:05

I'm just worried as I'm unable to join the army, police or any other forces because of it. I didn't want another bit of hope washed away.

/emo off

DB_SamX · 15 Jun 2009 at 23:14

DanTheMan said:
I'm just worried as I'm unable to join the army, police or any other forces because of it. I didn't want another bit of hope washed away.

/emo off

Unfortunately the army may well be ruled out. That was one of the first thing I was told I wouldn't be able to do, because all my consultants from the start have been medical Colonels.

I don't think I would have had that career anyway, but it would have been nice to have had the choice to do something related to it.

Best of luck, it's not easy. You have just got to try and stay positive.