Jobcenter course waste of time can i quit without losing benefit?

111222

I am on a a4e course(part of New Deal i think) just now through the job center that lasts for 16 weeks, it is compulary if we don'tgo we get our jobseekers allowance stopped, now i am looking for work and am not against the idea of these courses, but all we do if sit there for 8 hours each day staring at the walls basically, they have no computers to search for jobs and it is a complete waste of time. As weak as it may sound it is really affecting my health, it feels like punishment.

Do i have any rights drop out of the course without having my beneift stopped ?

mandi

Sorry , but you do have to attend . The system is a complete mess TBH , .
Good idea in principle , but typically no thought put into it as usual .

maytaurus

mandi wrote: »

Sorry , but you do have to attend . The system is a complete mess TBH , .
Good idea in principle , but typically no thought put into it as usual .

I agree
From what I see of these courses, they are a complete waste of time for most people who are genuine job seekers
No computers or too few of them & not working properly
Of course if you live out of town, you also have the task of actually getting to them & the expenses of traveling / parking etc
I am certain that genuine people with access to a computer/phone are far better off spending their time looking for work themselves

111222
you have my empathy

dmg24

Why don't you take something with you to do - copy of the local newspaper to look for jobs, any application forms you may have to complete?

A4E are not good, but there is no reason why you cannot make use of the time.

ts_aly2000

I always remember when I was employed ages ago, and with one of these 3rd-party external 'agencies' doing the JSP's work.

They suggested that I take out a loan of about £3,000 to start up a new business!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quite how I was supposed to do this was unknown to them.

OP. Their aim is to get you OFF BENEFITS. Nothing more. It's a bit like MP's expenses, where they're meant to be necessary expenses to do their jobs. These courses are NOT there to help you. They're there for a different purpose which is never spoken of or admitted to.

Yes, you're being punished. For being unemployed, useless, and dirty (which of course you're not). This I'm afraid is the mantra of modern government. Let's face it, even if you actually have a job then it's not until you're earning about £20k where you're actually better off than being on benefits.

This is Labour's socialist State for you.

If it was my country then I'd have you helping the elderly or something. At least something which puts into the world rather than takes out of it. While at the moment they're giving you JCA, and also wasting my money on putting heating and keeping this building dry that you sit in for 8-hours a day.

I've seen it all. Only a very small minority of the people in Job Centres actually know what they're doing. The rest are either there to a.) see out their final years before retiring, b.) to pass the time, c.) spent so long unemployed that they couldn't get a job anywhere else, or d.) there were no jobs as traffic wardens.

I really do feel for you. I'd been there and I hated every last minute of it. It was like being punished for a crime that you didn't commit.

red_devil

agree you have to stick it out but complain to your mp and see if you can get others to do the same.

kunekune

"Yes, you're being punished. For being unemployed, useless, and dirty (which of course you're not). This I'm afraid is the mantra of modern government. Let's face it, even if you actually have a job then it's not until you're earning about £20k where you're actually better off than being on benefits.

This is Labour's socialist State for you."

I agree that a punitive attitude towards the unemployed seems to be creeping back, just as the numbers are going up. But the alternative government is probably even worse!

moose85

The system is a complete waste of time. My boyfriend was made redundant and had to go to one of these 16 week courses. He has a degree and masters but had to sit in a room with people who were mainly illiterate, most of whom were sleeping throughout the day because they were working as unlicensed taxi drivers at night!

The course itself was completely inappropriate and there weren't enough computers. When he took in his three year old laptop to use instead, the staff there started questioning him about where he got it from, telling him that he shouldn't be on benefits if he can afford a laptop! He had to remind them that until recently, he had a job. He was made to feel like a criminal. Staff are rude and offensive.

snowqueen555

what do you actually do? i have not heard of this scheme before?

red_devil

not much thats just it you dont do anything you cant do for yourself.

I have heard a new thing coming in if you are unemployed long term you go to a training provicer they are paid on results. You are under them for 12 months. Sounds like another farce.

red_devil

moose85 wrote: »

The system is a complete waste of time. My boyfriend was made redundant and had to go to one of these 16 week courses. He has a degree and masters but had to sit in a room with people who were mainly illiterate, most of whom were sleeping throughout the day because they were working as unlicensed taxi drivers at night!


Better to be sleeping when they are awake they swear, look a !!!!!! on mobiles its awful and there is no control.