Who knows best: get me a job

slugger09

Is it just me who gets really angered by these types of programmes? We had the fairy jobmother and now this, I think it's totally unfair that channel 4 can swan in and get these people jobs, we have a kid who has never worked before working in an accountants in the city earning £17k per year and the best bit is he has no qualifications. We have people going through uni and could only dream of a job like that, totally unfair

Serenity

On some levels I agree. I never watch these kind of programs but maybe the person who got the job had the required skills? I know plenty of people with degrees who lack common sense, basic arithmetic, and basic spelling and grammar.
People with good degrees in proper subjects from decent universities shouldn't have a problem getting similar entry level jobs.

bristol_pilot

It's pretty obvious that the TV cameras or the mentors' personal contacts opened doors. A bit disappointing as a programme.

Serenity

bristol_pilot wrote: »

It's pretty obvious that the TV cameras or the mentors' personal contacts opened doors. A bit disappointing as a programme.

I never saw the program but this is the most probable answer. The OP is a bit blinkered if he thinks most degrees mean much now though.

slugger09

Serenity wrote: »

I never saw the program but this is the most probable answer. The OP is a bit blinkered if he thinks most degrees mean much now though.

Well it means more than having no GCSE's, or does it? I think programmes like that make it look like any average joe can get a dream job when that is simply not the case.

paulwf

It was a 3 month internship and I'm not quite sure without more details how reputable the company was...it was forensic accounting trying to trace hidden bank accounts which people were hiding during divorce proceedings etc. I think the contract was extended but they didn't say for how long.

£17K in central London doesn't give you much more spending power than min wage elsewhere when you've paid for commuting and the high prices.

It shows that contacts are important, a good tip for any job hunters. I think the main aim of these programmes is to show people that have got into the benefit trap for years on end that they there is a better alternative. If it takes getting someone an internship to do that I don't think there is much wrong with that.

jayII

I quite enjoyed the programme, it was interesting to see the contrast of the different techniques. Also, someone with apparently few or no prospects managed to find work. OK, he was given help, but the end result was still good.

If that encourages even a handful of viewers to feel more hopeful and to put new energy into jobhunting, it has to be a positive thing.

carkeyz

I thought it was brilliant! Ok so the mentors cant help everyone but they helped these two men, whats wrong with that!

NewarkDave

I watched this programme with great interest as in some ways it mirrors my life story. I left school at 16 with no qualifications, and spent 3 years wasting my life, smoking weed and playing on my playstation. When I was 19 the jobcentre sent me on New Deal, and within a week the company running the New Deal course had me an interview as an admin assistant with a local haulage firm for a job paying 13K. I attended the interview, and 3 days later got a call to say that they wanted to offer me a job as a traffic co-ordinator, paying 18K instead. That was 1 year ago, and on the 23rd August I will start my new role as traffic manager, paying 32K + bonus + car. I was told by my HR manager that the only reason I was hired initially was because of a personal recommendation from the New Deal provider I had been referred to, so I think it goes to show that this sort of success can happen to anyone, not just someone on a TV show!

Kate78

What I have found interesting about these programmes is that they highlight that there are many more complex issues surrounding long-term joblessness.

However, for people who do have their lives in order and are doing everything "right" in order to find work it must be frustrating to watch Channel 4 waltz in and get these folks jobs.

slugger09

NewarkDave wrote: »

I watched this programme with great interest as in some ways it mirrors my life story. I left school at 16 with no qualifications, and spent 3 years wasting my life, smoking weed and playing on my playstation. When I was 19 the jobcentre sent me on New Deal, and within a week the company running the New Deal course had me an interview as an admin assistant with a local haulage firm for a job paying 13K. I attended the interview, and 3 days later got a call to say that they wanted to offer me a job as a traffic co-ordinator, paying 18K instead. That was 1 year ago, and on the 23rd August I will start my new role as traffic manager, paying 32K + bonus + car. I was told by my HR manager that the only reason I was hired initially was because of a personal recommendation from the New Deal provider I had been referred to, so I think it goes to show that this sort of success can happen to anyone, not just someone on a TV show!

It can yes but I think it's rare, we have countless folk who come through here on new deal who get the road after 6 months, they are taken on as cheap labour. I suppose there is alot of sour grapes on my part, I have a few qualifications and spent all my life in or around the min wage and in my 30's now I can't see much changing but good luck to the guy.