The recession, benefits, the safety net, and the learning curve

Max_Headroom_3

fc123 wrote: »

Someone, somewhere probably got paid a wedge for producing the above 'tick list' for job seekers.

BTW, you're writing style is great..any possibility of taking it further..even if it means low paid or even free internships for a while?
OK you have to keep on with the JSA if it's freebie work but there's always ''Tax Credits'' to subsidise the next step.

That's kind of you to say so and... it's funny you say that actually...

I shall say no more other than it's very slow going, but hey, time I have.

Phirefly

PasturesNew wrote: »

I didn't like the ones that looked stupid. So, most of them.

If you want art, buy a picture, shove it on the wall.

I'm of the same mind to some degree, which might be surprising since I spend all day making art for clothes. I'm almost entirely comercially minded though. Pushing the creative envelope doesn't often = paying the bills.

Its all subjective, obviously, but the pieces in that blog look no different to what was being churned out by the fashion students at my art foundation final show 10 years ago.

PN I'm struggling to envisage the circumstances surrounding your evening of dress-wearing binge drinking...

*edit* ahh... thanks Viva - a wedding. The mental images have a context now. You're clearly more up on Pastures' social diary than I. I really should join her website...

Max_Headroom_3

1echidna wrote: »

You are probably right about it being geared to the lowest common denominator. Can imagine it might be quite difficult to get a lot of people they see to follow these steps.

A couple of the people there had me wondering whether they had a three step program to help them out of bed in the morning...! :rolleyes:

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

I didn't like the ones that looked stupid. So, most of them.

If you want art, buy a picture, shove it on the wall.

Why? I struggle with a lot of modern art, but fashion as rt I get.

I am m own canvas. My make up more than my clothes these days says something about what I m feeling/thinking on a day. That something could me as un-load a little watercolour of ''I am a village meber and I am fitting in, a litle'' or it could be ''talk to me to day and expect trouble I love the flash of recognition from other people who feel this way (however extreme or toned down) when you make eyecontact.

I am of the believe things should be both beautiful (to who chose them) and useful. For me fashion (when I had a figure) was the perfect example of this. Oh,I want my figure back!:o

Max_Headroom_3

PasturesNew wrote: »

Having read fc's posting, I went to look for blog names... and found this ... this guy started and stopped in 2002, I wonder what happened to him:

http://jobsworth.blogspot.com/

Other good blog reads (housing related) are:

Estate Agent's Diary: http://agentsdiary.blogspot.com/
Rentergirl: http://rentergirl.blogspot.com/

I'm a regular on Agents Diary, he's terrific!

Not seen the others, I'll take a look.

vivatifosi

Getting back on topic (sorry Max, I went off there but don't want your thread to be locked/ moved). I just wanted to say that I'm sorry that you are being run around so much. I'll bang my head against a wall for you because you've used the icon a little too often and you're going to get concussion.

PasturesNew

vivatifosi wrote: »

..

Sore point. I'm trying to erase it from my memory.
Let's not mention it again.

Max_Headroom_3

mvengemvenge wrote: »

The problem is, Max, as you yourself have identified, these things have to be designed in a catch-all way. There isn't enough staff/space/time to have different 'sessions' for higher, middle and lower intelligence, and anyway, should it be a civil servant's job to decide who goes in which group?

You may say to me "But I've got a degree", or something similar. To which I would have to say, because it's compulsory at certain stages, "Ok, have a go at this basic English and Maths test".

It's been made compulsory for a reason. Employers don't want to take on people who have qualifications coming out of their ears, but can't spell or count, and believe me, you'd be shocked at how many there are.

All I'm saying is, staff can't make assumptions. They are faced with newly-unemployed who are keen to get back in a job, along with 'regulars', who drift on and off benefits. It's very easy for some people to talk like someone who is desperate for work, but when you say to them "Right, I've booked you a job interview tomorrow morning", they go pale in the face.

You should take a closer look at the Benefit and Employment boards, you'll be amazed at some people's attitudes.

My feeling is that they ought to try and be a bit more selective. I'm sure there are those that need more help, but surely when they have a guy who pitches up at the sign in once a fortnight with a list of recently applied for jobs and had a couple of "almost" interviews they ought to be able to take a view that actually he doesn't need/deserve "detention, he's doing the best he can.

It'd also have the benefit of freeing up more time for those who need it.

Or is that a little too much like common sense?

lostinrates

Max_Headroom wrote: »

My feeling is that they ought to try and be a bit more selective. I'm sure there are those that need more help, but surely when they have a guy who pitches up at the sign in once a fortnight with a list of recently applied for jobs and had a couple of "almost" interviews they ought to be able to take a view that actually he doesn't need/deserve "detention, he's doing the best he can.

It'd also have the benefit of freeing up more time for those who need it.

Or is that a little too much like common sense?

would make sense to me. Freeing up places for those who really need some sort of 'encouragement'.

Max_Headroom_3

fc123 wrote: »

Parts of this thread could start one off...plus you could take pics of herself on your balcony in economy outfits or the Boss interview suit?

It's an Italian made Paul Smith aaaaactually. :cool:

:D:D