Working with the DWP

bebiineko

I have seen the other thread titled "DWP Employment Waiting List". That thread is for people mostly waiting to hear from the DWP about their application. But I thought it would be a good idea to create a thread for people who have actually started working with the DWP.

I hope this thread can be used for people to describe what it is like working within the DWP. I have just received confirmation that I will start working at the Job Centre on the 29th June.

Can someone people tell me what the training is likely to include and how long it could possibly last for?

Thank you

mvengemvenge

bebiineko wrote: »

I have seen the other thread titled "DWP Employment Waiting List". That thread is for people mostly waiting to hear from the DWP about their application. But I thought it would be a good idea to create a thread for people who have actually started working with the DWP.

I hope this thread can be used for people to describe what it is like working within the DWP. I have just received confirmation that I will start working at the Job Centre on the 29th June.

Can someone people tell me what the training is likely to include and how long it could possibly last for?

Thank you

Well, it very much depends on what job you end-up doing. Most people in front-line jobs are currently very busy, partly because of the sudden rise in unemployment, partly because this has unfortunately coincided with some major procedural changes in the way benefits and jobcentres work. Therefore, you may walk into a stressful environment.

Training......I'm a little out of touch with this, but it will be stuff like Health & Safety, Discrimination, Dealing with difficult customers, training on the mainframe computer systems you will use, etc.

suseh97

I am in training just now for 6 weeks. We have covered stuff like customer service, diversity, benefits and the computer system. Still got another four weeks to go. The last 3 weeks though are consolidating what you have learned.
So depending on how busy the office is you will be doing something similar to that or a condensed version of it.
HTH?

mochi_2

Well I started at the beginning of the month and finished training last Friday. So I was in training for 4 weeks learning about H&S, Diversity/Equality, Computer systems, Benefits etc...

I start consolidation tommorrow but am actually getting really nervous about it!!

heveweight

Does anyone know what the situation is with regards to pay while training. From what I understand training will be between 9.30 and 3.30. Will we be paid by the hour?

suseh97

heveweight wrote: »

Does anyone know what the situation is with regards to pay while training. From what I understand training will be between 9.30 and 3.30. Will we be paid by the hour?

No I am getting paid for a full week regardless of the fact I have not quite worked those hours. You get an online wage slip on the computer system to check what you are getting. Get my first wage on Tuesday!

julietormesby

Hi

Regarding training can anyone tell me where their training has been held i.e. was it at the job centre you work at or was it another job centre? If so how far away from your office was it?

dugdale_2

I'm based in Coventry however my training has been in Nuneaton and Birmingham.

bebiineko

I have just finished my 4th day at the Job Centre. I was informed that I would be working on "Stage 3 - 26weeks" (i think). I have a lot of e-learning to complete and a lot of High Priority Facilitated Training to book. So far I have only completed the "Security Training" and am in the middle of doing the "Customer Service" training. Tomorrow will be my last day for the training.

How has it been going for everyone else?

bebiineko

julietormesby wrote: »

Hi

Regarding training can anyone tell me where their training has been held i.e. was it at the job centre you work at or was it another job centre? If so how far away from your office was it?

You have to book the training yourself via RM. I have been trying to choose training that is convenient for me. My "Keeping Safe 2/2" will be at the actual Job Centre where I work which is good. I will have to do that training in about 2 weeks time.

crockpot

HI

Can anyone tell me what type of childcare vouchers you get?

Also if these are avaliable for casual and fixed term staff.

Also am I correct in thinking that training is 9am til 3.30pm?

Thanks