JSA: Gateway to work/YMCA Training

neonlights85

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healy

neonlights85 wrote: »

Coming off JSA and living off savings, overdrafts and credit cards to enable me to do something I actually want to do, rather than jumping through hoops and being coerced into doing something unrelated to what I've been building towards for nearly ten years.

Looks like plan B then if you do not attend the course.

neonlights85

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Jowo_2

Hopefully you have options to get work experience, paid or unpaid, in the media as part of future JSA options. Have a look at CSV as I understand they have voluntary or training opportunities in that field.

neonlights85

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Jowo_2

Why did you have no idea when these compulsory attendance courses kicked in and couldn't plan around this? Is there anyway to move the start of the internship until after the 2 week course? A full time internship is likely to mean a person can't claim JSA as they are not currently actively seeking work so you would have had to come off JSA anyway? So why didn't you choose the internship over JSA if it had the opportunity to get you closer to paid employment?

EDIT: realised perhaps you meant the advisor refused you a govt sponsored internship because of a clash with the gateway course rather than one you'd found yourself...?

book12

neonlights85 wrote: »

The thing that really irks me is I've just been forced (by my advisor) to turn down a fantastic internship so I can go on this course.

Just attend your internship and sign-off. I'm sure you can live without JSA for a few weeks. Your parents can suppor you for the time being.

lauraknight_1988

I will put my 2 penneth into this discussion as I have had to go on it. On this course you go for around 6 hours a day(9 till 4 usually) you look for jobs as you would at home by searching the internet, looking through newspapers and by looking at jobcentre plus leaflets they give out. You are also helped with writing a C.V and they make you complete tasks relating to work e.g what would you do in certain situations, interview techniques and by watching videos. You asre also required to complete a few days work experience with an empoloyer of their choice. They will ask you what sort of work you are looking for but their is hardly ever a gaurentee that you will get that kind of work. You are also "treated" to a day at a activity centre where you learn "team building" skills.
In my honest opinion none of it actually helps apart from the c.v writing part.
The work experience is only 2 days long so cannot really be included on a c.v or used as a reference when applying for future jobs. You are expected to sit in front of the computer searching for jobs despite the fact none of the newspapers have been updated from the previous day or that the jobcentre site hasnt been updated. Also for people who havent had much work experience they cannot apply for many jobs as lots state they want someone with experience so you just have to "pretend" your looking for a job. Also the people your on the course with really do not want to better their lifes, and are the sort of people you cross the road to avoid. The worst part is the activity centre part at the end which i honestly do not see as helping anyone and also aa waste of taxpayers money.
You also get a "party" day at the end where you are taking out for dinner.
Absolutely pointless course.
I refused to go on the next one i was reffered to and did not claim for a few months just so i didnt have to go on it.

lauraknight_1988

neonlights85 wrote: »

Coming off JSA and living off savings, overdrafts and credit cards to enable me to do something I actually want to do, rather than jumping through hoops and being coerced into doing something unrelated to what I've been building towards for nearly ten years.

i totally agree that you should do this however its wrong that your not given help to work towards what you want to do in life.
I was told that i should work as a hair model(what sort of job is that) or a entertainer at the trocodero centre in london. these people at the jobcentres work for commission so will pass of any job in order for it to be filled and get their bonus!

Jowo_2

Coveted jobs in media production aren't always advertised and many rely on social networking to get them, they are very often temporary/casual or the person is expected to become self-employed/freelance. They are often very popular and very insecure so there's only so much help that the state can give to get someone into a paid role when so many people offer to do it in an unpaid/intern capacity anyhow.

I do think the JSA system isn't geared to help specialists or professionals into new roles, it's more for the semi or non-skilled, but if you accept state cash, you are forced to accept the conditions that go with receiving it.

Hopefully the OP will come back with an update on their experiences and how they plan to get paid employment under their own steam given that the one brush approach of the govt isn't a great fit for all and clearly has deficiencies, particularly for those with strong ambition in a certain area.

What can the govt do for those who won't consider an alternative career path even though they can't get work in that area or how long should a candidate pursue a dream that they can't realise? Some countries and US states don't allow the level of discretion that the UK JSA recipients get - the level of conditionality is much higher and they are obliged to accept any role or get their benefit withdrawn.