Interview regarding Work Programme (help)

ohreally

Perhaps posters who have a vested interest in promoting the agenda of exploitation of people who are vulnerable would disclose the nature of their interest and the capacity they hold.

Many of these folks being referred to WP's are highly articulate and experienced people who through circumstances largely outside their control are being introduced to a program which is not fit for (their) purpose and is ultimately, likely, to be complete waste of the resources of all involved. The work program should, imho, become moribund for skilled individuals who are unlikely to receive anything useful from the process as they are normally highly self motivated in terms of returning into the job market of their own volition anyway - the lack of suitable jobs won't be adressed by any WP.

imatt

great, something that may improve my skills and chances of employment

The problem here is twofold.

Firstly, many providers delivering the WP have a poor track record in delivering things such as pathways to work, New Deal and Flex new Deal. Some here and elsewhere have had negative experiences at the hands of such comapnies (A4e, Ingeus, Serco, G4s, etc).

I compare such companies to a restaurant, take-away, retailer or garage. If you recieved bad service from such an establishment, would you be satisfied / happy? Would you refrain from complaining? Would you use them again? Would you recommend them to others? I'm sure the answer would be NO to all!

The worst thing is that W2W providers get away with delivering a sub-standard, one size fits all, lowest common denominator service due to poor past performance NOT being taken into account as part of the bidding process. Pretty scandalous really.

Secondly, New Deal was a failure. Flex New Deal wich replaced ND was also a failure. If ND was a success, it would be running right now. It would not have been replace with FND. If FND was a success, it would not be replaced with the WP.

What many out of work seek are options such as relevant work experience and training. Sadly, many if not most W2W providers are just not up to the task of providing these in any great quantity.

To see or rather hear why many are hacked off, listen to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wWvhWNzt4M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11NRmvVjd1Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVbq-d6MmMA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfMfwHssap0&feature=related

I'm sure some of you have seen these vids before.