jobseekers / employers alike- this official 'bung' may tip the balance!

PinkMascara

Quick question, I have been unemployed for more then 6 months, would I get a recruitment voucher if asked?

I am sick of being unemployed and have recently started contacting companies which haven't even advertised for staff (since the ones advertising are usually overwhelmed with responses), I've got an interview next week for a job which doesn't exist but I apparently impressed him enough for an interview, just wondering if I could mention this to him =S

Maddysmam

If you are over 25 you could get a voucher for 1000 pounds - the employer gets 500 up front then another 500 if they employ you at least 6 months. You should call your adviser before your interview and ask what is available for your circumstances/age/area. Don't forget you can ask for help with for example an interview outfit or a bike to travel to work if transport is an issue- the adviser discretionery fund is there for things like that. Once you take the job it's too late to ask for it.

There's a lot of jobs around at the moment that are under Future Jobs Fund - they are primarily aimed at 18-24's but can be for 24 plus if the posts don't fill after a month or if they are vacancies for hotspots - i.e. dısadvantaged postcodes where unemployment is above a certain average. It's 6 months work 25hrs up to fulltime with hourly rates varying and if you impress could lead to a permanent job in some cases. You won't find these on Jobcentreplus search so you will need to ask at your jobcentre. You need to be out of work 39 weeks but can be fast-tracked - and from Jan you will likely only need to be out of work 6 months to get into these jobs

trevormax

Well first thing employers should do if the JC sends them a candidate for interview and that person obviously isn't interested or doesn't try at the interview, is to inform the JC as this is taken as refusal of employment on the jobseekers behalf and will result in their JSA claim being closed/sanctioned. Then you need to contact the JC LMRA (Labour Market Resource Adviser I think it stands for), there should be one or more in most offices. Complain to them that the quality of job seekers they are sending is below the level of quality you asked for and you would consider not using the JC in future if they continue to offer a poor service. These guys will then look into it and hopefully improve matters by speaking to the advisers sending the job seekers.

At the end of the day though, all you employers using the JC to advertise, shortlist, interview people should remember that this is a FREE service the JC offer so if you don't like it, then go elswhere and pay someone to do the same thing, like an agency. But be aware that by doing this, you are reducing the number of people who will see and respond to your job advertisment. Also, are you seriously saying that when you advertise jobs not using the JC, you dont get unsuitable people applying for the job and waisting your time? I seriously doubt it.

@ Pink: Apparently over 50% of jobs filled by employers are not advertised and are filled by word-of-mouth or people sending prospective CV's/written applications to employers so this is good that you have taken this approach. It shows initiative, a desire to work for them and you get first dibs on any potential jobs the employer may be thinking about advertising but doesn't want to go through all the hassle.

computershack

Vader123 wrote: »

I am sick of trying to fill positions that are 20K a year 5 on 5 off (8-2), full BUPA, Xmas bonus and having to put up with JC idiots. They don't want to be there, don't want to answer any questions, I don't want to see them.

Waste of time.

Vader

Please post your company name so I know who not to bother wasting my time with. With an attitude like that, I doubt many want to work for you. Must be sales or consultancy related - that seems to be filled with arrogant !!!!!!.

donnajunkie

brightonman123 wrote: »

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/Employers/AdvertiseaVacancy/recruitmentsubsidy/

A £500 (possibly more) 'bung' for want of another word..

Officially an incentive for companies to take on long term jobseekers, IF-

- If the job is likely to last more than 28 weeks,
- and is for at least 16 hours a week..

(jobcentre checks firm / job etc is legit, before paying anything..)

May be worth looking into as employers, or mentioning when applying for jobs.

when i was on new deal i was told that an employer taking me on could get roughly £1900. i think it was around that amount.

donnajunkie

Vader123 wrote: »

Thats my point!

I did discuss my requirements.

It made no difference!


The whole point of using the JC is to remove some of the shortlisting time, plus the time and cost of advertising the vacancy.

95% of the people they sent did not even meet the minumum person spec!

Vader

do you not get people sending you their cv on spec and then keep them on file if they seem good?

Vader123

computershack wrote: »

Please post your company name so I know who not to bother wasting my time with. With an attitude like that, I doubt many want to work for you. Must be sales or consultancy related - that seems to be filled with arrogant !!!!!!.

There is no need to post the company I own and run.

The local JC+ know my company well and I have fedback to them on numerous occasions about both the quality of candidate and their poor shortlisting skills.

Still, they must like me and value me as I am forever getting emailed, phoned and written to asking for help in getting people jobs.

Why don't you post the JC+ plus you work for and I will contact them letting them know an employee is on MSE calling people "!!!!!!".

Just another example, IMO.

Vader

Vader123

donnajunkie wrote: »

do you not get people sending you their cv on spec and then keep them on file if they seem good?

I rarely keep CVs.

If they are any good, by the time a suitable vacancy comes up, someone has snatched them up.

What I do is write/email back telling them to join my vacancy mailing list. All the jobs are listed there and if I get someone from the list, it saves on advertising costs etc.

Vader

donnajunkie

Vader123 wrote: »

I rarely keep CVs.

If they are any good, by the time a suitable vacancy comes up, someone has snatched them up.

What I do is write/email back telling them to join my vacancy mailing list. All the jobs are listed there and if I get someone from the list, it saves on advertising costs etc.

Vader

i wonder if the lack of suitable people(in general) out there could be put largely down to the demise of the apprenticeship.
i am sure there are many jobs that capable people dont apply for because they dont fit a particular requirement but if they were taken on and given 6 months training would end up being very good employees.

Vader123

i wonder if the lack of suitable people(in general) out there could be put largely down to the demise of the apprenticeship.

Yeah I agree.

I guess the reality is, at least right now, that I don't need to train someone up for 6 months.

The pot of unemployed people is so large at the minute that I can get someone fully skilled to do the job. Apart from a brief local induction and a PDP, they are on the way.

i am sure there are many jobs that capable people dont apply for because they dont fit a particular requirement but if they were taken on and given 6 months training would end up being very good employees.

Again, with my employer hat on, why bother putting in the time/effort/resources?

If I want a, for example, a sage specalist, right now I can ask for that. I don't need to train them, they are out there looking for jobs.

Vader