Free training for unemployed - unless it's me!

sickofusernames

I've been unemployed since Dec 2008 after redundancy, I took a year out of work to bring the newborn up but since xmas i've not been able to get anything so still a stay at home father.

Being on the Flexible New Deal apparently the recruitment company you get assigned to can pay for your free training in certain skills or accreditations. Myself i'm with Seetec and they gave me a training company to contact so I made an appointment, went Tuesday and filled in a little form and a couple of disclaimers only to find out the next day that I'm not eligible for free training!

The reason for this is that i'm not claiming any benefits - WELL I DO APOLOGISE HM GOVERNMENT for at least saving you some money - I can't apply for benefits because my partner works full time, so that's my fault I guess.

It truly is a pathetic state and mess the whole system, from top to bottom.

dmg24

Are you claiming JSA for credits only? If not, why are you on FND?

sickofusernames

dmg24 wrote: »

Are you claiming JSA for credits only? If not, why are you on FND?

Yep, only signing on for credits - I don't understand why it works, all I was told is that I can't claim any JSA money as my partner is in full time employment.

I take it that I shouldn't be on the FND? The country is run by a bunch of muppets so I don't really know what I should be doing - I need a job, not more bureaucracy.

LittleVoice

Sounds as though you didn't work for a year and therefore didn't pay NI contributions and so lost your right to contribution based JSA. Now you have been signing on for six months (since December 2009) and benefiting from having your NI contributions credited.

Try contacting your local college to see what courses they offer unemployed people. They may be offering free training but with different eligibility criteria. You might find it better to do that and not sign on.

dmg24

sickofusernames wrote: »

Yep, only signing on for credits - I don't understand why it works, all I was told is that I can't claim any JSA money as my partner is in full time employment.

I take it that I shouldn't be on the FND? The country is run by a bunch of muppets so I don't really know what I should be doing - I need a job, not more bureaucracy.

TBH I have not come across a situation where someone has chosen to sign on for so long whilst not receiving any payment - all credit to you for that! Having said that, you could still be receiving your NI Credits through HRP (or the new version of it. Have a read of this link, it may be easier for you to end your JSA claim.

sickofusernames

LittleVoice wrote: »

Sounds as though you didn't work for a year and therefore didn't pay NI contributions and so lost your right to contribution based JSA. Now you have been signing on for six months (since December 2009) and benefiting from having your NI contributions credited.

I got my 6 months contributions JSA from Dec 2008 but from July 2009 until Dec 2009 I was told I couldn't apply for income based JSA as my partner works full time. Since the new year I've been on the FND with Seetec which is a waste of time and I still have to sign on for my credits.

sickofusernames

dmg24 wrote: »

TBH I have not come across a situation where someone has chosen to sign on for so long whilst not receiving any payment - all credit to you for that! .

I haven't chosen to sign on for nothing you know, if I'm told I'm not entitled to something then I take it as it is. It just annoys me I still have to sign on just for my credits AND visit the useless FND company.

LittleVoice

I got my 6 months contributions JSA from Dec 2008 but from July 2009 until Dec 2009 I was told I couldn't apply for income based JSA as my partner works full time. Since the new year I've been on the FND with Seetec which is a waste of time and I still have to sign on for my credits.

Your original post said

I took a year out of work to bring the newborn up

which therefore suggests you were not seeking work and considered yourself not available for work and yet you claimed Job Seekers Allowance. So you have had something from the system which could be considered as an advance payment to be used now for paying for training.

sickofusernames

LittleVoice wrote: »

Your original post said which therefore suggests you were not seeking work and considered yourself not available for work and yet you claimed Job Seekers Allowance. So you have had something from the system which could be considered as an advance payment to be used now for paying for training.

Yes, it's all so black and white isn't it. I wasn't planning on being out of work for this long so now I'm deciding to improve my chances by getting some training. My issue is that I was told I AM eligible for free training whereas this doesn't seem to be the case.

Everyone (almost) is entitled to 6 months Contrib JSA anyway so why should I use that for training when I've got bills to pay.

Mr_Falling_Star

Sounds like this could be a communication problem with Seetec to be honest, normally the FND provider refer you themselves rather than get you to do it. What training is it you are wanting to do?

DavidSPTABC

You don't say what sort of work you are looking for or prepared to do?

I truly believe that there are enough work opportunities available in the UK, but please note that I said work, not jobs. Have you thought about setting up your own business? It doesn't need to cost a lot of money especially if you can work from home. There are lot's of opportunities available (just watch out for scams), if you've no experience of business you may need someone to help you get started. It takes hardwork to be successful but everyone has it in them, you just have to take the first step.

I look at it is this way. You might as well be building a business for the future rather than chasing 'free' training schemes for jobs that may not exsist.